Exploring what we really need...

ಈ  ಭೂಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸ್ತವತೆಯನ್ನರಿಯುವ ನನ್ನ ಪಯಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಸಿರು ಕಾನನಗಳ ಜೊತೆಗಿನ ಸಂಬಂಧವನ್ನು ಅಚ್ಚಳಿಯದೇ ಉಳಿಸಿರುವುದು ಯಾವ ಲೀಲೆಯೋ ಆ ದೇವರೇ ಬಲ್ಲ. ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ಈ ಕಲಿಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಮುಂದುವರಿದಿರುವ ಮನುಜನಿಗೆ ಅವನ ಜೊತೆಗಿರುವ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಇರುವ ಅವಿನಾಶ ಸಂಬಂಧವನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸುವ(ನೆನಪಿಸುವ) ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮಂಥವರನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾನೆ ಎಂಬ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಈ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ಗನ್ನು ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ..

ಆ ಕಾಲವು ನಾನು ಪಿಳಿಪಿಳಿ ಕಣ್ಣು ಬಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಈ ಸಮಸ್ತ ಲೋಕವನ್ನರಿಯುವ ಸಮಯ. ಕುಟುಂಬದವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಯಾತ್ರಾ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಾದ ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯ, ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಆಗಾಗ್ಗೆ ಸಂದರ್ಶಿಸುವ ಪರಿಪಾಟವಿತ್ತು .ಪ್ರಯಾಣದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಟ ಹಿಡಿದು ಬಸ್ಸಿನ ಕಿಟಕಿ ಕಡೆಗಿನ ಸೀಟ್ ಹಿಡಿದು ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ಟೌನ್ ನಿಂದ ಮಂಗಳೂರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕಾಶವನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟಲು ಹಪಹಪಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಗುಡ್ಡ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಗಳು, ಮುಗಿಲೆತ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಳೆದ ಮರಗಳು, ರಸ್ತೆಗಳ ಇಕ್ಕೆಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಕಾಡು ಬಳ್ಳಿಗಳು, ಮರಗಳ ಬೇರುಗಳು, ಬಯಲು ಸೀಮೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದವನಾದ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಕುತೂಹಲ, ಅಚ್ಚರಿ ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸಿತ್ತು..ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು ಬೇರೆಯವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸುವುದು, ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಉತ್ತರಗಳೂ, ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವುದು ಆ ಬಾಲ್ಯ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಸಾಧ್ಯ ಮಾತಾಗಿತ್ತು..ಅದು ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಎಸ್ಟೋ ವರುಷಗಳ ತನಕ ಹುದುಗಿಕೊಂಡಿತ್ತು..

ಕಾಲ ಚಕ್ರವು ಉರುಳಿ ನಾನು ರೆಕ್ಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹರಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೇಕಾದ ದಿಕ್ಕಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಾರುವ ಕಾಲವು ಬಂತು..

ಬಾಸ್ಕ್ ನಿಂದ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಹಸಿರು-ದಾರಿ ಚಾರಣವನ್ನು (ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಿಂದ ಕುಕ್ಕೆಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯ ರಸ್ತೆ ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದವರೆಗೆ ರೈಲು ಹಳಿಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಚಾರಣ) ಯನ್ನು ಎರಡು ವರುಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೆ..ಆ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಗಿಲೆತ್ತರಕ್ಕಿರುವ ಬೆಟ್ಟಗಳು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಆಮಂತ್ರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಚಾರಣ ಆದ ಒಂದು ವರುಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಅದೇ ಚಾರಣದ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗಿ ಬಂದಾಗಿನಿಂದ ಆ ಬೆಟ್ಟಗಳ ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿಗಳನ್ನ ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ಬರಲೇ ಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಹಂಬಲ ಶುರುವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಬಾಸ್ಕ್ ನ ಸಹಾಯದಿಂದ ಸಮಾನ ಮನಸ್ಕರನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ಚಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಅಣಿಯಾದೆ. ಸಮಾನ ಮನಸ್ಕರನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿಂಚಂಚೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನಾ ಕಡೆಗಳಿಂದ ತೂರಿಬಂದ ಅನೇಕಾನೇಕ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳೆನ್ನುದುರಿಸಿ, ಒದಗಬಹುದಾದ ಗಂಡಾತರಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸೂಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದ ಹೊರತಾಗಿಯೂ ನಾನು ನನ್ನನ್ನೇ ವಿಚಲಿತನನ್ನಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳದಿರುವುದು ನನ್ನ ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯವೆಂದೆಣಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ..

ಮಿಂಚಂಚೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾನ ಮನಸ್ಕರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಪೂರ್ವ ಸಿದ್ದತೆಗಳನ್ನು ವಿನಿಮಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿಯ ಸ್ಥಳ, ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸಿದೆ..ಸಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಭರ್ತಿ ಒಂದು ಪ್ಲೇಟ್ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ತಿಂದು ಸ.ಮನಸ್ಕರ(ಸಮಾನ ಮನಸ್ಕರ) ಸಂದೇಶಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಾ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ಆರ್.ಟಿ.ಸಿ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರಟೆ.

ಪ್ಲ್ಯಾಟ್‌ಫಾರ್ಮ್ ಸನಿಹಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು ಕಣ್ಣು ಹಾಯಿಸಿದರೆ ಮುಂಗಡವಾಗಿ ಕಾದಿರಿಸಿದ ಸೀಟುಗಳ ಬಸ್ಸು ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನನ್ನ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲೇ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ಆರ್.ಟಿ.ಸಿ ಯ ಸಹಾಯಕ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಕರು ಅವರ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಬಸ್ಸಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿಚಾರಿಸುವ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೂ, ನನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣ ಮುಂದೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಬಸ್ಸು ಬರುವುದು ತಾಳೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತು.. ಪರಸ್ಪರ ನಗುಮೊಗ ತಂದುಕೊಂಡು ಕಣ್ಣಂಚಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಅವರನ್ನು ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಂಡೆ..

ಯಾವ ಸ.ಮನಸ್ಕರು ಇನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಬಸ್ಸುಗಳ ನಡುವೆ  ಶಿಸ್ತಿನ ಸಿಪಾಯಿಯಂತೆ ಸಾಲಾಗಿ ನಿಂತುಕೊಂಡ ನಮ್ಮ ಬಸ್ಸಿನ ಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಹೋಗಿ ಪೂರಕ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳ ಜೊತೆ ಕಾದಿರಿಸಿದ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ನಾವು ಇಳಿಯಬೇಕಾದ ಜಾಗದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿವರಿಸಿ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ಧೃಡಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆ. ನಂತರ ಪ್ಲ್ಯಾಟ್‌ಫಾರ್ಮ್ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೊಂದಾಗಿ ಸ.ಮನಸ್ಕರು ಸೇರತೊಡಗಿದರು. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೇರಿದ ನಂತರ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಯಣ, ಯೋಜನೆಗಳು, ಚಾರಣದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೂಲಂಕುಷವಾಗಿ ವಿವರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದರೂ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಕ್ಕೆ.

ಬಸ್ಸು ನಿಂತಿದ್ದ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಸುಮಾರು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಕಣ್ಣಂಚಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಅಳತೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ಸಹಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹತ್ತಿದ್ದು ಮೂಡಿಗೆರೆ ಬಸ್ಸು..ಈ ಬಸ್ ಸಂತೆ ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದು ಮಾಯ ಆಗತ್ತೆ, ಯಾವುದು ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಷಾರಾಗಿರಬೇಕೆನ್ನುವ ಅರಿವಾಯಿತು. ಎಲ್ಲರ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೋರಿ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಬಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿದೆ(ಹತ್ತಿಸಿದೆ).

ಮಹಾನಗರದ ಪರಿಧಿಯನ್ನು ದಾಟಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಬಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೆ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಹತ್ತಿತು.(ಸ.ಮನಸ್ಕರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಯಾಣದ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಹತ್ತಲಿಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ನಂತರ ಗೊತ್ತಾಯಿತು.) ಗುಂಡ್ಯ ತಲುಪಿದ ನಂತರ ನನಗೆ ಎಚ್ಚರವಾಯಿತು. ಸಕಲೇಶಪುರ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯ ರೋಡ್ ನ ರೈಲು ಸೇತುವೆಯ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಬಸ್ಸು ನಿಂತಿತು. ನಾವೆಲ್ಲಾ ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಸರಕು ಸಂಜಾಮುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿಸಿದೆವು. 

ಬಸ್ಸು ಹೊರಟ ನಂತರ ಕಗ್ಗತ್ತಲಲ್ಲಿ ಆಗಾಗ್ಗೆ ಇಣುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ವಾಹನಗಳ ದೀಪಗಳ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಧಿರಿಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಚಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸೂಕ್ತವಾದ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಿದೆವು .ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಎಡಕುಮರಿ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಚಾರಣವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದೆವು. ಒದ್ದೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ರೈಲು ಹಳಿಗಳು ಮಳೆಯ ಪ್ರಮಾಣವನ್ನು ಸಾರಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಕ್ಯಾಮರಗಳು ಜೀವಂತಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ಕ್ಕಿಸತೊಡಗಿದವು. ಕೇಸರಿ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಚಂದ್ರನು ಸೂರ್ಯೋದಯಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂಚೆ ಬೆಳಗಿ ಆಕಾಶಕ್ಕೆ ಮೆರುಗನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದ..

ರೈಲು ಬರುವ ಸದ್ದಾಗಿ ಪಕ್ಕಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿದಾಗ ಚಲಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ರೈಲಿನ ಚಾಲಕನು ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ "ಎಂಥ ಜನರಪ್ಪ" ಎನ್ನುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೈದ.. ಶುರುವಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಹೀಗಾದರೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಹೇಗಿರಬಹುದು ಎಂಬ ಆಲೋಚನೆ ನುಸುಳಿತು. ತಕ್ಕ್ಷಣವೇ ತಹಬಂದಿಗೆ ಬಂದು ಸಸ್ಯಸಂಕುಲದ ವೈಭವವನ್ನು ಸವಿಯತೊಡಗಿದೆ..ರೈಲು ಸೇತುವೆ ಕೆಳಗಡೆ ಝುರಿ ಕಾಣಿಸಿದಾಗ ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿದು ನಿತ್ಯ ಕರ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಿಕೊಂಡು ತಿಂಡಿ ತಿನ್ನುವುದೆಂದು ನಿಶ್ಚಯಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ದಾರಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರೆ ದಟ್ಟ ಪೊದೆಗಳು, ಮುಳ್ಳು ಕಂಟಿಗಳು ಅಡ್ಡಪಡಿಸಿದವು. ಇದರಿಂದಾಗಿ ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಚಾರಣಿಗರು ರೈಲು ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಬಳಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡೆ. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಹಳಿಗಳ ಬದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿರಮಿಸಿ ಹಣ್ಣುಗಳು, ಚಪಾತಿ, ಬಿಸ್ಕೆಟ್ ತಿಂದು ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು. ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ರೈಲು ಸುರಂಗಗಳು ಒಂದು ಅತ್ಯದ್ಭುತವಾಗಿ  ಕಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಸಿರಿಬಾಗಿಲು ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ತಲುಪುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಸ.ಮನಸ್ಕರನ್ನು ಸೇರಿಸಿ ರೈಲು ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗಳಿಂದ ಒದಗಬಹುದಾದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಪರಿಹಾರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಹಿಡಿಯಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲೊಬ್ಬ ಶಾಂತವಾಗಿ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳುತಿದ್ದ "ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಏನಿದೆಯೋ ಅಷ್ಟು ತೋರಿಸಿದರೆ ಸಾಕು" ಅಂತ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ಪಾಶುಪತಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ್ಹಾಸ್ತ್ರ , ವಾಯುವ್ಯಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಬೇಕಾದ ಪರಿಕರಗಳನ್ನು ಸಜ್ಜುಗೊಳಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಗಮನವನ್ನೀಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ..

ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗಳು ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾಡಿಗೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. ಅಚಾನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಮಾತುಕತೆಗಳೆದ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗಳು ನೀರು ಇರುವ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸಿದರು. ನೀರನ್ನು ತುಂಬಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಮುಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು. 200 ಮೀಟರ್ ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಝುರಿಯು ರೈಲು ಸೇತುವೆಯ ಕೆಳಗಡೆ ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು. ನೀರಿನ ಜೊತೆಗಿನ ಅನುಭೂತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿ ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿದರು. ಕೆಲವರು ನೀರಿನ ಜೊತೆ ಆಟಕ್ಕೆ ಇಳಿದರೆ ಕೆಲವರು ನಿದ್ರೆಗೆ ಶರಣಾದರೂ. ಕೆಲಕಾಲದ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ನಂತರ ಮೇಲಕ್ಕೇರಿ ರೈಲು ಸುರಂಗಗಳನ್ನು ದಾಟುತ್ತ ಬಂದೆವು. ಒಂದು ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟ ಭೂ ಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ರೈಲು ಹಳಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಕಾಡಿನೊಳಗೆ ನುಸುಳುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು. ಸರಿಯಾದ ದಾರಿ ಸಿಗದೆ ಪರದಾಡುವ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು. 

ಎಡಕುಮರಿ ಶಿಖರಗಳ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಯ ಕಿರಿಭಾಗದ ಕೊನೆಯೂ ಕಾಣುತ್ತ ಬಂದ ಹಾಗೆ ಆ ಭಾಗದಿಂದ ಹತ್ತುವುದೆಂಬ ನಿಶ್ಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಚಾರಣ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಳಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಜಾಗವು ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು. ನೀರಿನ ಸೆಲೆಯೂ ಇತ್ತು. ವಿರಮಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇಲಕ್ಕಡೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಒಣಗಿದ ಝುರಿಯ ದಾರಿ ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು. ಅದರ ಜಾಡು ಹಿಡಿದು ಶಿಖರ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಯ ಕಿರಿಯ ಭಾಗದ ತುದಿಯನ್ನು ತಲುಪುವುದೆಂಬ ಎಣಿಕೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಗಾಢ ನಿದ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಇತರರನ್ನು ಎಬ್ಬಿಸಿ ಹತ್ತತೊಡಗಿದೆ.

ಲಂಬವಾಗಿ ನಿಂತ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಗುರುತ್ವಾಕರ್ಷಣ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಮೀರಿ ಹತ್ತುವುದು ದುರ್ಲಭವಾಗುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿತು. ಆದರೂ ನಾಲ್ಕೈದು ಅಡಿ ಎತ್ತರ ಬೆಳೆದ ಹುಲ್ಲುಗಳನ್ನೇ ಆಧಾರವಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಹತ್ತತೊಡಗಿದೆವು. ವಿಶಾಲವಾದ ಹುಲ್ಲುಗಾವಲುಗಳ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನಾವು ತಲುಪಬೇಕೆಂದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಶಿಖರಗಳ ತುದಿಗಳು ಗೋಚರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿತು. ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಗಾಗ್ಗೆ ಕಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಆನೆಗಳ ಲದ್ಡಿಗಳು ಆನೆಗಳ ಓಡಾಟದ ಸಾಂದ್ರತೆಯನ್ನು ಒತ್ತಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಶಿಖರಗಳಲ್ಲೇ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾದ ಶಿಖರದ ತುದಿ ತಲುಪಿದೆವು. ಅಷ್ಟು ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಮಳೆರಾಯನು ಬಿಸಿ ಬೆವರಿನಿಂದ ತೊಪ್ಪೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೆ ಸಣ್ಣದಾಗಿ ತಂಪನ್ನೆರೆಯುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದನು.. ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿಯ ಇಕ್ಕೆಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ನಮಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ಗುಂಡ್ಯ, ಬೆಳ್ತಂಗಡಿಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶವು, ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶವು ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಕುಮಾರಪರ್ವತದ ಮೇಲ್ಭಾಗವು ಮೋಡಗಳಿಂದ ಆವೃತವಾಗಿರುವುದು ಕಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಕೆಲಕಾಲದ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿ ಪಡೆದು ಎಡಕುಮರಿಯ ಹಲವಾರು ಕಿರಿಯ ಶ್ರೇಣಿಯ ಶಿಖರಗಳ ತುತ್ತ ತುದಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಟ್ಟುತ್ತ ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗಿದೆವು.

ಒಂದು ಶಿಖರದ ತುದಿಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಕಣಿವೆಯು ಅದರ ವಿಶ್ವರೂಪ ದರುಶನವನ್ನೀಯುತ್ತ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ರೋಮಾಂಚನವನ್ನುಂಟು ಮಾಡಿದ. ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಟ್ಟವನ್ನು ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ನಾನು ನನ್ನನ್ನೇ ಮರೆಯುತ್ತ ಬಂದೆ. ಅಷ್ಟೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲರೊಬ್ಬ ಕತ್ತಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಎಚ್ಚರಿಸಿ ರಾತ್ರಿಯ ಶಿಬಿರಕ್ಕೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿದ. ಒಂದು ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಸದ್ಯದ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತ ಎಂದು ಧೃಡಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ರಿಕಾಣಿ ಹೂಡಿದೆವು. ಲಭ್ಯವಿದ್ದ ನೀರಿನ ಪ್ರಮಾಣವು ಕಮ್ಮಿ ಇದ್ದ ಕಾರಣ ಖಾಲಿ ನೀರಿನ ಸೀಸೆಗಳ ಜೊತೆ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಬೆಟ್ಟದ  ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿದು ನೀರಿನ ಹರಿವು ಇರುವ ಜಾಗಗಳನ್ನು ಅಂದಾಜು ಮಾಡಿ ನೀರಿನ ಸೆಳೆಗಳನ್ನರಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಮಳೆರಾಯನು ರುದ್ರನರ್ತನಕ್ಕಿಳಿದ. ಹಲವಾರು ಜಾಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಡುಗಿ ನಿರಾಶರಾಗಿ ಬರಿ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಬೇಕಾಯಿತು.

ಮಿಂಚು, ಗುಡುಗುಗಳು ಮಳೆರಾಯನ ನರ್ತನಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಥ್ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದ ರೀತಿಯೂ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾವಾವೇಶವನ್ನು ಉಕ್ಕಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.. ಗಂಟಲು ಹರಿದುಹೋಗುವಂತೆ ಜೋರಾಗಿ ಕಿರುಚಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಆಸೆಯು ಇಮ್ಮಡಿಯಾಗುತ್ತ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು.. ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಹೇಳುತಿತ್ತು.. ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾಡಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದರೆ ನಕ್ಷಲ್ ಕೈಗೆ ಅಧವಾ ನಕ್ಷಲ್ ನಿಗ್ರಹ ದಳದ ಕೈಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಖಾತ್ರಿ ಮತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಬತ್ತಳಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ತುಕ್ಕು ಹಿಡಿದ ಅಸ್ತ್ರಗಳು ಆ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಪಯೋಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಅಂತ!! ತೆಪ್ಪಗೆ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಂಡು ಒಬ್ಬರಿಗೊಬ್ಬರು ಅಂಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಳೆಯ ವೈಭವದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಾಕ್ಲೇಟ್ಸ್, ಬಿಸ್ಕಿಟ್ಸ್ ಸವಿಯತೊಡಗಿದೆವು.. ಸುಮಾರು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ನನಗೆ ತೂಕಡಿಕೆ ಶುರು ಆಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಎದ್ದು ನಿಂತು ಸ್ಲೀಪಿಂಗ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ ಹರಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಸುಬ್ಬುವಿನ  poncho ಅನ್ನೇ ವಾಟರ್‌ಪ್ರೂಫ್ ಟೆಂಟ್ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಮಲಗಿದೆ. ಬರುತ್ತ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬಂತು.. ಅದರ ಜೊತೆ ಮಳೆಯ ತಾಂಡವ ನೃತ್ಯವೂ ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಆಗುತ್ತಾ ಬಂತು. ಆದ್ರೆ ಅವುಗಳೆಲ್ಲ ನನ್ನ ನಿದ್ದೆಯನ್ನು ತಡೆಯಲು ಅಸಮರ್ಧವಾಗಿದ್ದವು.. 

ಸುಮಾರು ಏಳು ಎಂಟು ಗಂಟೆಗಳ ಕಾಲ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಮುಂಜಾನೆ 04.30 ಕ್ಕೆ ಎದ್ದೆ. ನನ್ನ ಸ್ಲೀಪಿಂಗ್ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಒದ್ದೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ದೂರದ ದಿಗಂತದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳಕಾಗುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು..ಮಳೆರಾಯನು ನಮ್ಮ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬೇರೆ ಕಡೆ ತಾಂಡವ ಮಾಡಲು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದ. ಮೈ ಮುರಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾ ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳ ಕಡೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಹಾಯಿಸಿದೆ..ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ  ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು-ಮಂಗಳೂರು ರಾಸ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸುವ ವಾಹನಗಳು ಮಿಣುಕು ಹುಳಗಳಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ರೀತಿಯೂ ನಯನ ಮನೋಹರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಡೆ ಆ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳು ಆಕಾಶದಿಂದ ಬಿದ್ದ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರಗಳು ಅವುಗಳ ವಾಸ ಸ್ಥಾನಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿರುವಂತೆ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ನನಗೆ ಮುದವನ್ನೀಯುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮರ್ಥವಾಗಿದ್ದವು..

ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಾಟ್ ಅದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದ ಮಳೆಯನ್ನು ಮೋಡಗಳ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇಲಕ್ಕೇರಿಸುವ ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಅತುಲ  ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಲೆಬಾಗಿದೆ. 

ಶಿರಾಡಿ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಯಡಕುಮರಿ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಹರಿಯುವ ಎತ್ತಿನಹೊಳೆಯು ಮೋಡಗಳ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು..

ಸಮಯ ಕಳೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಮೂಡಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೂರ್ಯನು ಉದಯಿಸಿದ..

- - * * - - * * - - - - * * - - * * - - INTERMISSION!!!! - - * * - - * * - - - - * * - - * * - -
.
.
(Will write the remaining part after sometime!! :P :P)
.
.

You are what's on the inside...

It’s kind of fun to do the impossible...
One of them was the trek from Ettina Bhuja to Ombattu Gudda [EB2OG-3]. Since it was my first ever role as an organizer. Was searching how the exploration will be.. Went like this…

The year 2008..
When I look back to recall old memories of trips, motor biking etc....I always feel that I never went anywhere as a trekker. I used to tell myself that how to get more other than it. The word Trekking which had been emerging from those days was adding fuel to my desires of getting into forest areas.  I was searching to pick a trek that will be through a trekking club so that I can be with professionals.

Finally the first trek of my life came. 

It was Reverse Ombattu Gudda (OG) Trek, that was organized by Mudassar Khan of BASC on 2009.  I wished to start from the basic level. Didn't know how  will it be. That time BASC was still establishing. When I enquired Mudassar (Mud) about the trek route, details and my ability as trekker for the first time, he answered back positively. What a confidence...Was getting excited day by day... Purchased stuffs like shoes & others...in those days, my backpack used to be heavy...

The day arrived... Conquered Reverse OG in October 2009. Then next two visits to OG peak went as usual...

Was yearning to see how OG peak and the nearby areas will be during monsoon...

Picked Ettina Bhuja to Ombattu Gudda (EB2OG) route since the route has many benefits like peace, type of location that is detached from civilization that too without even a tea stall.

If we expect a tea stall & assuming that someone start it in the route, then the person will put a stall  first, then a small tent, then in the name of “comfort, right to every human” a wife, children to satisfy his need, then setting a small house to provide stay for trekkers whenever help is needed especially with cows, goats, chicken to satisfy our hunger, to provide shelter, expanding rooms……

The list will go on... Resulting in a mini village… have seen the examples in Coorg in a span of ten years of regular visits.

Coming back to line...

The name of the trek was EB2OG/2 which was also known as Monsoon trek which was organized for the second time in EB2OG route. The preparations for EB2OG/2 were first time experiences. I think Mutual understanding was the major issue at that time . Was trying to implement what I learnt in previous treks. But dealing with different people was terrible since everyone were from different backgrounds.

How to satisfy everyone during the trek. How to meet their expectations... Grin…. Looks like they kept aside their other activities and came for this trek. Responsibility like leading, guiding the team, that too for the first time, keeping one eye on the team's performance, the other eye on the route and the situations.. How to borrow the third eye from Lord Shiva.. sighh…

Finally EB2OG/2 ended as EB&OG/1. Receiving sympathetic reviews, opinions, warnings on trekking during Monsoon that too with my inability in finding the routes.

Hahaha..these people dunno what was running in my mind, they can’t understand what I was trying to do.  The situations, how to tell others, Oh God..u are the only one who knows the real truth..

I dint forget the incidents of EB2OG/2. It was growing like gangrene… At the same time one person left me without giving a notice, with whom I had enormous respect.. It was the another twist i had..  Let it be.. Might be its God’s play..

Within ten days after EB2OG/2, I asked Mudassar about doing EB2OG/3. He replied "wait for some more weeks till monsoon fade away.." I couldn't resist. Pleaded Mudassar a  lot

Even Three days didn't pass...I Asked Mudassar (Mud) once again... Got the answer “No”..asked once more within a day... He shouted “carry on”… :) 
aahh!! Did he say Thathaaastu??

EB2OG/3 born…

Granted full freedom, full access to whatever I do!!

Woww.w…. No one is stopping me.. What’s happening here… dear mud... Can u be my boss in future??

While everything was going well & things went as usual. To my surprise, no one from EB2OG/2 responded for EB2OG/3 trek except NCC medalist, who was pushing me to postpone.. My priority was to push the selected EB2OG/2 guys at the top of the short listing process. 

Well…monsoon will fade away very soon. NCC Dude.. I promise you that we ll go again that too personally…this time got enough guys in the team with similar interests. The remaining guys Ufff… look like jobless youths dying to do anything... Oh.. what a time I’m having.. Shall I request for new guys with enough experience…no time... Remember the first trek with mud..do some magic.. go..go..

Shared meeting location and other details with shortlisted guys…

Missed calls turned to several SMSing… The word “BASC” in the first few lines  united new guys one by one in Majestic bus-stand. At the same time I realized that some of them were those who were sneaking  to check whether it is the same team, a few minutes ago!!

Few meters away in the same bus stand, another group from BASC was also waiting for the bus to go trekking in different locations. Informed EB2OG/3 team that I will be back in 10-15 minutes to meet that group. Knew some faces in that group, did some handshakes, had little chat, exchanged wishes. At the same time i turned at a guy.

Aahh...it’s you, shouting “Good morning Bangalore” in daily sms…. Registered EB2OG/3 n then skipping it by giving a reason... 

Wore a smile, did a formal handshake. He was wishing with precaution words and lectured on how to take care of myself... Stop it!! You idiot…  It would be better if u were in our team and then supporting the team well... Anyways enjoy yours!!

Enough of these guys… go and check whether our bus has arrived in this “bus-santhe”

Reached our team, told everyone “looks like the bus may come late, better if we go by walk the entire night”. Suddenly smile appeared on every faces.

The bus arrived at last. I Requested bus-driver, to drive the bus in the way that we can reach Mudigere as soon as possible. He smiled before starting the engine… Didn’t like to guess the meaning behind the smile. Just went back to my seat, closed my eyes. i was half asleep-half awake during the entire journey. In a moment someone woke me up. I was about to shout “Momm… please allow me to sleep more”. Suddenly realized the situation, conductor of the bus was with red eyes with a wicked smile to inform us that Mudigere town has arrived!! 

Got down from the bus, unloaded the backpacks from luggage box of the bus. Went inside Mudigere bus stand to have our morning rituals. I was surrounded by participants every minute to clear their doubts. At the same time we got the assurance from sumo driver through a call. Ordered Idli-chatni in the nearby hotel. We gathered in front of the hotel waiting for parcel and tata sumo. It took nearly 30 minutes to get the parcel. Used the chance to introduce ourself in informal ways. One guy had done many north India trips that too with motorbike. This trek was kind of new to him but i was sure he can do it.  His topic was enough to kill the time!!

In Mudigere town.. 

When we were loading parcel into our bags tata sumo arrived. Everyone sat inside with comfort. On the way the driver got confused in finding the route to reach our starting point by going in a direction for nearly 5-6km. Thought of warning driver. But kept myself silent to keep the time for imagining how to do, what to do. Finally he was able to take us to the original starting point. When we got down, had a formal chat with sumo driver, thanked him for bringing us at the right time.

Bhairaveshwara temple..

From the temple premises, I looked at the direction where Ettina Bhuja was supposed to be appearing. Nothing was visible beyond 500 meters. The surrounding area was full  of clouds. Ahemm.. Same situation like EB2OG/2

Starting our journey..

Checked whether everyone ready for the trekking. Started from the back side of the temple. Didn’t go for exploring the new trail like how I tried in EB2OG2. Went on the trail made by human and cattle. Reached a small stream. It was still roaring.

Dear Streams..You look better than the before, stay like this till we finish the trek, don’t be angry all the time..plzzz…

Few ups.. Some more ups.. No sign of EB peak. Was wondering has the time/situation gone bad. It was fully covered with mist, clouds. In previous EB2OG2 we barely managed to see the peak from the same location. This time…. Is this a warning or Is it the time for our mother earth to reach it’s height during Monsoon time.

EB should have shown its beauty from these points(2-3km distance).. But 'mist' was blocking all..

Participants were getting hungry. They requested to halt for a moment to have breakfast. Ohh.. why didn’t this come to my mind. The wind was still slapping our head, cheeks, cloths, backpacks…. Tiny water drops appeared on our faces, we looked funny to each other.. Like old aged people... That too with mist, tinny water particles all over our body, hands.. Was really wondering is this EB2OG/3 going to be tougher than EB2OG/2

Short break..

Started climbing the steepest part of EB. We climbed some big and uneven rocks and reached the top of the terrain.. No sign of peak’s visibility. Mist was slapping harder. Difficult to guess whether  it was raining or was it coz of wind+mist... when i informed the team that "This is Ettina Bhuja peak". No one were in the state to believe it since the visibility was so poor to identify the shape of ox's hump...Everyone were trying to click their camera from safe location to avoid more damage. For me it was not even worthy. If we try to click from a distance to put everyone in a photo, mist was in our way. Hardly spend 10-15 minutes in the peak, we prepared to get down.

View from the peak

Tiny pink, light blue and yellow colored flowers were blooming all the way… Was feeling kind of happy with the scenarios. 70-80 degree steep climb appeared in the forest. This time it was more slippery. For participants, The muddy stretch where climbing up was a challenge. Finally everyone managed to overcome that trial.

Reached unused jeep trail, filled water bottles with pure water. When participants were doing the same, I looked up to see the sky. It was covered with tree tops with sunrays piercing through them to reach the earth... Inner peace once again…!!

Unknown trial... :D

Grassland appeared. This time more and more mist in that area. Was really surprised to see what happened to our mother earth. This time was supposed to be minimal when compared to previous month. I was telling myself to always be careful, you can do this time, you don’t have any issues this time so u are free to do whatever u want, just move carefully without stopping your head.

Covered the peak above the forest. Halted in the place where I had lunch with EB2OG2 people. That was just to recall the memories. But for the EB2OG3 guys I was seemed to be searching for the new path!! :D

Misty.. Misty...

Within a couple of minutes I tried to get down from that location which was different than what I did in EB2OG2. The same mist was trying to mislead us. It was challenging task to find the right direction. The compass was showing proper direction. But the terrain was kind of flip-flopping. We blindly walked in a direction. To my luck & updates from fellow participants, none didn’t slip off. At the same time I was praying God to blow the mist for a while to see what’s in the front. God seems to be trying to help us. The strong wind was fighting with heavy mist to allow us to see the real path. In a moment a very strong wind washed the mist away just for 20-30 seconds. GOT THE CLEAR VIEW... Suddenly I noted down all the possible ways. Thanks God, he saved us before we go in the wrong direction.

A main hurdle cleared...My heart was pounding at a fast pace when I looked at the time.

Mist everywhere..

Got a clear view.. L to R (Naveen Alavilli, Shashidahar, Aashish)

I heard that shoulder level grass was making our move even more tougher..Finally we covered that grassland which is next to EB which is also near to a village. There was much Less mist was in that area. Stopped for a moment, shared snacks/chips with each other before encountering another grassland which was misty.

Short break before entering another grassland at or around 11.30am..

That grassland, those moments were pretty challenging, more mist, more wind… I was really enjoying the moment. That was one of  the best moment with a fresh mind and a happy heart. we were Blindly walking all the way. it was Difficult to see each others with a distance of 20-30 meters. i Was shouting at participants to give a hint of my present location. After a few hours I was informed that some participants lost themselves in the mist,only my shouting was  helping them to realize their path!!

Finally found the used jeep track which goes toward a coffee estate which also leads us to OG. Once again I smiled for a moment after looking at the time. Participants halted on the OG road to have lunch.they wanted a Heavy lunch .i Realized how they were suffering after that long walk.

It was 2.00pm. Nearly one hour was spent in eating, chatting, having fun talk in jeep road...

Lunch time

On the way to Coffee estate which also lead to OG

At the same time I looked at the path which we covered before. It was astonishing to see that EB was still covered with mist, clouds!! That too in the afternoon at or around 2.30pm. A salute to mother earth for its rules.

EB route is still covered with clouds at 15.00pm (03.00pm) from OG side!!! ufff...

Reached the diversion which goes toward OG peak from the Estate road. The Sun was shining at its best. Finally reached the top. Had a photo session. As per the plan I changed the route from the OG peak toward Gundya which was really new to me since I reviewed those areas through map, printed maps, compass etc.. While getting down towards Gundya, suddenly I looked back at the peak and told myself “Bye bye OG.. Going to miss you...”. Within a second was in shock state, wondering why did I think like that.. till now we are not allowed to step our foot in that area.

Reaching OG peak Step by step.. (Sun blessed us when we were at the OG peak)

Getting down in very slippery grassland. I was in the front. Didn’t know the real updates of the fellow participants. Later I heard that they were slipping from time to time. A guy damaged his knee which made him slower Sometimes I was asked by fellow participants to reduce my walking pace till the whole group re-unite. At the same time Sun was getting down.

View from OG peak toward Gundya.. Its never ending route.. Loved this..

Finally choose a place which was covered with small trees. Better to call it as nature made Fort. In the center there was enough space to take rest. Those trees were very small in height but their stem was thick enough. Looked like Bonsai type.

we put up a tarpaulin, and took  rest on it. Suddenly it became misty forcing us to assume that it's already dark. It was around 7.00pm. Everyone shared their food. The sumptuous dinner with all sorts of MTR's and a temporary stove. I was looking at the sky. my head was blank. May be I was thinking on” why nothing is in my head”!! :D twinkling stars were trying to show their beauty with the help of wind which was  blowing the mist aside. When they finished their food, I picked mine. Ate quickly. Most of people pulled their sleeping bags out of backpacks and prepared to sleep. Even I was shown the symptoms of tiredness by my body. Pulled sleeping bag and fell asleep.

At or around 11pm, it started to rain heavily. I didn’t care. Just insert myself deeply into the sleeping bag. It was a bit waterproof. Others went inside tarpaulin to protect from rain. it rained continuously for nearly an hour. Dunno what happened after that.

Woke up at 3.00am. Looked like I had enough sleep. My eyes were not ready to sleep again. Pulled myself out of the sleeping bag, looked at the surrounding area. Nothing was visible beyond 100 meters due to mist. But Moonlight was too powerful to tackle with the mist. I could imagine the mist and somewhat trees nearby.it was a Very beautiful scene… it looked like some trees were dipped in milk, washing themselves with water.

Camping point

Forced myself and slept again. May be I was trying to imagine how the second day will be. Dunno when I fell asleep again. I was awakened up by other participants. Had little breakfast. Packed the things and prepared for the second day. When I looked at the participants, they were in the mood to finish the trek as soon as possible.

This morning scene was very different. Came across different locations which was covered with trees on one side,  grassland on the other. My eyes were filled  with these sceneries.

Naveen Alavilli: One of the bravest guys in my friends list

Finally thick forest appeared. Before entering, a participant asked how far, how long... I knew the estimated distance. I didn’t want to disappoint him. By showing route map I was telling him if we go till this point then everything will be fine. By the way he responded, He did not seemed to go deeply with the maps. But he was asking me again and again. I was smiling every time he  asked. On one side he was trying to create a group inside a group and trying to oppose my decisions and my movements!! Finally he was asking me to go in another direction in place of my predicted route.

Dense forests, thorny bushes, slippery slopes.. Especially with morning beauty.. 

His tantrum increased, decided to let him know how the area will be, how the condition will be.

By giving unauthorized permit to him as an organizer, i asked which direction to continue. He pointed in a direction. I giggled since i had  trekked in that area a few months back. kind of dangerous in monsoon time…

Well, we went in that direction,  the forest was with a different kind of look… When we reached the waterfall which was created by the stream (The death of that guy happened in that area, luckily  after our trek). The stream was roaring. I couldn’t see the rocks or stones. If they were visible, they were wet and slippery. Was patting myself for not picking that route.

Lucky.. I didn't pick that trail this time..

Halted for a moment near Bamboo trees till other participants united us. Ate snacks, may be it was the leftover food we had in our luggage. Everyone were thinking whether to eat it completely or not. Realized that if we delay or if something happens then we have to stay for whole night in that place without food. Decided to move quickly as much as possible. We waited till everyone reached the point and took enough rest.

Within few meters, Kabbinaale stream appeared which is the biggest of all in terms of width. Was inspecting whether it is good to cross in such level. At the same time it started to rain. Remembered Mudassar’s advice. Don’t cross the stream when it’s raining. His words were 100 percent right. Minute by minute the level was increasing. Reached the peak. Was really difficult to imagine the level. At the same time I was enjoying Mother nature’s beauty.

Kabbinaale stream

If we hadn’t diverted the route , we would have saved nearly 30-45 minutes which was enough to cross the stream before it started to rain.

Looked at the participant who did Tantrum. He was in a shocking state. Wished to scold him for the decision he took. Something happened to me. Finally decided not to hurt him. Coz he allowed me to face another challenge which was risky too...

Moreover there were some less experienced trekkers who lost the faith once they saw that ROARING big stream. They sat on the bank with blanked feelings... They started collecting wood to spend the night on the bank of the river. I swear, the situation was really dangerous.. Even I could hear the roaring sound of the stream. I wanted other participants to be safe.

.
Prepared a rope to cross the stream. After a discussion,i pushed the experienced swimmer to cross the stream first. That trekker cum swimmer tied himself to one end of rope and I held the other end of the rope. He tried to cross, within two steps he was above to be washed away. He was really struggling to balance himself. Lucky I had a strong rope. I pulled the rope slowly and brought him to the bank …

We tried another two times in different locations. Finally my friend told it’s really difficult to cross. Even I knew the same. He thought of skipping the trail for that day. After struggling for nearly 4-5 hours, to our luck water level of the stream got down.

And we were able to tie the rope from one end to another end of stream. The other participants were finding it difficult to balance while crossing. We held their hands till they reached a safe point. After the trek, I searched the map for our exact location. Realized that we went nearly 500 meters from the location which was also my predicted point to reach the stream which was diverted by that fellow participant!! ;) ;)

it was pitch dark when everyone reached the other side of the stream. It was 7.00pm. No one was in the state to pull their camera out into action… Head torches, hand torches were switched on.  it was really very late to reach the end point of the trek. If we  delay then it would be very hard to catch the bus. I was walking in fast pace. But my fellow trekkers... they were asking me to slow down. After struggling for nearly three hours everyone were able to reach the nearby village which was the end point of the trek.

Reaching the end point after three hours continuous night jungle trek...

I sat in front of a house,  checking the left out leaches all over my body till the remaining trekkers arrived. In this write-up I give less importance to leaches since writing on leaches will lead to another story. At 10.00pm(22.00pm), the last person reached the point. We were in a jolly mood. My mind was in elated state.

I informed a trekker to call Kukke KSRTC control room to inform them about catching the bus in Gundya instead in Kukke town.The advantage was, every bus will pass through Gundya. But because of  the poor network we couldn't contact them. To our luck we were able to catch a bus till Gundya. Once reached, we were inspecting the bus where our tickets were reserved like how RTO people do. Finally a bus arrived which was ours. Some of our seats were filled by the conductor  to make more money!! But we were in the state of getting any seat to get back to Bangalore.

The team..
[L-R(standing)] James, Naveen, Aseem, Tejaswi, Madhu Ramalingam, Shashidhar, Madhu bagur, [L-R (sitting)] Sunil, Ashish, Nitin, Srikanth.

In this incredible two days of trekking journey I thoroughly enjoyed to the core. Cherishing every moment of it which made me to write after a long time!! Would love to go back there once again....

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely...A special thanks to the people for their contribution to this blog!!! :)