Bhimashankar Trek 25.7.2015

Bhimashankar Trek.

Monsoon had started more than a month back but due to many commitments just was not able to go to any trek. Finally last Sunday I.e 19th July once d cycles were distributed to d tribal students, I felt relieved that my commitment is over. But there was one more commitment left. I was d organiser of our Silver jubilee function of our graduation from GDC. But this function was on 24th July Friday and 25th July Saturday. So now I had d 26th July Sunday for me. N I was desperate to go to the trek.

Himsahyadri had arranged a trek to Bhimashankar. They had arranged a bus that was to start from Borivali national park on 25th Saturday at 11pm that would take us to d base camp at Kathevadi, Khandas.

Since d second part of of our get together was supposed to end by 4pm at lonavala, i got the Deccan express and reached home by 8.30pm. After reaching home, got ready quickly. As usual I was browzing the WA messages and wife was shouting to get ready as v had to start from our residence at 10pm. After having our dinner and having bath, v were in d train to Borivali at 10.30. Reached the starting point which was the Omkareshwar Temple, opposite the National Park, Borivali, and alas the bus had not arrived. Since Me, Vidya(Wife) and Tanvi(Younger Daughter) was with me we were chatting , joking and having fun. By 11.20 bus arrived and v were in the bus. The ride till Khandas was uneventful. Reaching at Kathevadi in Khandas, a room was booked where v were to rest till 5.30am. V were almost 140 of us and managing such a huge crowd was a tough task that was deftly handled by the organizers. For ladies, the wash room was inside the room and for the men, the wash room was the vast expanse of the nature. So after answering the natures call in the nature, v were served Poha and tea. After filling up the tummy, v were ready for the climb. The trek started at 7.20am.

Mr Vitthal, who was the main trek organizer was like a classic Pedodontist. He was Gentle but Firm with his words. And when u are managing such a huge crowd that too many of them freshers and on such a strenuous trek, once had to be very stern. And for us the green was acting like a magnet. While going to Bhimashankar, v were to take the Shidi Ghat or the Ladder route and while returning v were to take the Ganesh Ghat route. V reached the place where the ladder’s were placed at a good speed. And climbing ladders looked simple. But the tricky part lied ahead. Just after the ladder ended was a patch of rock that had to be climbed. This rock was at angle of around 45 degrees. An experience climber quickly and deftly went up and tied a rope and threw that rope towards up. First this rope was tested whether it can take up the load, and then one by one we climbed that rock holding to the rope. Immediately after the rock climb we had to encircle a large rock to reach the safe distal end. Carefully and full of trepidation, all of us easily crossed over. Just after that v stopped at a tea stall and had a nice hot tea. Then v waited and waited for almost 40 minutes for all 140 members to reach the tea stall. Thereafter started our next sojourn. This was fairly good paced and with a stop in between v reached Bhimashankar. There was a long serpentine queue at the temple, so v took darshan from outside and proceeded for the lunch at Mumbai Dabbawale Dharmashala. Food was good and the organizers were carrying yummy shrikhand that sweetened the Lunch.

Once the lunch of everybody was done, the trudge back started. V were to take the Ganesh Ghat route. Now the group was split in 4 subgroups. We were with the group which was fast and leading the bunch. The walk down till the plateau where tea vendor has a stall is common for both route. So v decended and without breaking continued from the Ganesh Ghat. We walked from the periphery of Padargad, and walked and walked and walked and were praying that finally the trek finishes as Vidya, who had a fall from cycle a few weeks back, still had the wound that was paining her. With sore big toe, finally v reached Kathevadi and the room where in the morning v had poha and tea. It was 5.15pm and v rested. Rest of the group came by 7pm and finally the bus stated at 7.30pm. It reached borivali at 12 midnight and we were home at 12.30am.

Thus ended a trek that i had done before on 13^th August 1994. I had told the thrill of the trek to my family members so many times that they really wanted to do this trek. They too enjoy this trek that i m sure, my daughters will tell others and others get excited for another trek to Bhimashankar.

Enjoy