To read the First Part Click A trek to Visapur – The First Part
To read the Second Part Click A trek to Visapur – The Second Part
A quick survey around this place shows us a may-be-trail which out of no option we followed. Ehsan still stick to not going forward. Rohit convinced Ehsan that we walk for only 5 more minutes and if we didn't find any definite trail then we decide on the next action. Rohit moved fast and he was out of sight into the bush. As the day was slowly moving to darkness the risk increases. Reptiles, Snakes and some other nocturnal animals flashed our thoughts.
Eventually I could hear Rohit saying he found a trail. This was the Moment of Magic to my ears. Again comes another hurdle. To add to our confusion there was two trails ahead once again. Not knowing which one to follow, we blankly looked each other. All of us were visibly upset. Instincts didn't help us anymore. And her comes the saviour "Andre". A guy named Andre has stick a note an the branch of a small bush. The note reads "TAKE RIGHT FROM HERE, 5 MINUTES WALK. ANDRE ". Confidence builds up again. Yeah.. 5 minutes.
The right trail takes us to a very thick and dark patch which finally ends after 5 minutes to the base of the Fort. The entrance of the fort could be seen from here. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to climb up to the top. There was a steep slope of rocks which is more of waterfall than a trail. Since it didn't rain for some days already, there was a little water flowing and we can climb up the rocks without much hassle. We are lucky to be able to reach the top at the right time, though a bit late than expected. Darkness beginsthe moment we reach the top.
The 500 Mtrs range LED Torch which we purchased from Aim Point was the only source of light from here on. We noticed a bones ( may be of cow) lying around probably eaten by some wild animals. We walked the valley in search of a right place to pitch in our tent. After pitching the tent, we had to collect firewoods to light a bonfire. Camphor that we brought along with us was really helpful as a substitute of fuel to light a fire. The fire was a necessity since I heard somewhere that wild animals won't go near a fire. So it means it gives us warmth as well as acts as a protection from wild animals. Here I learnt the peculiar nature of fire. Rohit said one sensible thing about fire which I never thought about ever. I am not sure how many of us might have thought of fire in this perspective.While I was lighting the camphor with a matchbox Rohit said "Fire is really awesome. Only Human beings know how to make a fire. If any animals would have known it, there could be serious problems for human beings. Imagine monkeys could make a fire, it may light up the entire city." Well this was true. Only man can make fire because man are born Intelligent.
Circling the fire we were having a good time, discussing and planning about the next trek. The major concern at this point was of reptiles. There was a heavy mist at the top of the hill and the visibility was really poor. From time to time we focused our 500 Mtrs range LED Torch around to check if any uninvited creatures were roaming around. It was around 10pm at night then. I was playing with the torch and I focused my light pointing far to see if the range of the torch was actually 500 Mtrs as Mr. Bandhukwala claims to be. Here is where I noticed a green sparkle, more of a reflection of the light. It looks more like a reflective stripes that are used in vehicles intended for safety but the only difference here is that it is green in color and it seems to be moving. I moved around the light once more and I spotted the same green thing again. It was an eye of some wild animals, I am sure because it is big. When a light falls on it, it sparkles. At this point Ehsan moved around his torch on the North direction and he noticed a green eye there too. I suggested everyone to pick up a stick (the only weapon we have).
"It could be a leopard or a wolf or a fox".Earlier Rohit had told me an incident where his brother who stays in Canada didn't pick up one phone call from his mother. Worried she called his aunt in U.S. and inturn his aunt called emergency helpline of Canada and that the cops was at his brothers doorsteps within 30 minutes. This kind of emergency response cannot happen in India since it is India. Paranoid of our situation we decided go inside the tent where we switched off all the lights so that we didn't attract any curious animals. Nothing untoward happened at night aand we wake up in the morning to experience a heavy mist. It was beautiful. Our photographer Ehsan started to his shooting session and we enjoyed the view. The feeling was amazing. After about an hour or two we wrapped up our stuffs, dissembled the tent and now ready for our return trek.
At 8.20am we started our trek, feeding on Glucon-D for energy we walked down the slope. We didn't expect any inconvinience on the way back since we are now aware about the path to be followed. We keep on walking crossed the village with 5 house not knowing that another trouble was waiting for us ahead. There was a herd of buffaloes ahead of us blocking the entire trail. When we moved forward they come towards us. We ran back and waited for sometime. They are just not willing to pass us. There was an alpha male(a bull ) with a long horn, very much ready to rip us apart whenever we tried to move closer. Sensing that we may end up in trouble we decide to walk back and find a new way. We followed the new way and after about an hour or so we reached another village where we enquired about any possible exit apart from the path where the bull reigns.
As per villagers direction we moved forward to land ourselves into another trouble. This time it is a herd of cow. The sun was already high and it was hot at this point of time (around 11 am). Very tired I want to go past them, but as I move closer one of the Ox walks towards me. All tired and exhausted I couldn't afford to walk back and look for other alternatives. Its just not possible anymore. We sat down for somtime and finally decided to scare the herd by throwing stones. Unexpectedly one ran toward us and started chasing. We ran as fast as we can and hide behind the bush. This ox follows us even behind the bush, probably determined to hunt us down. Run.. run..run.. shout one of us and we find ourselves going back to the village asking for another way where an Ox or a bull would not hurt us. They suggested us another way (the only option left ) which is a verical climb and the last thing I needed being very tired already. Having no other option we followed the trail, finally leading us to the Visapur-Lohagad junction after an hour walk where we take a long rest finally reaching Malavli station after 1 hour (approx). It took us 5 hours to trek back from Visapur till malavli station Thanks to cows and bulls.
To read the Second Part Click A trek to Visapur – The Second Part
A quick survey around this place shows us a may-be-trail which out of no option we followed. Ehsan still stick to not going forward. Rohit convinced Ehsan that we walk for only 5 more minutes and if we didn't find any definite trail then we decide on the next action. Rohit moved fast and he was out of sight into the bush. As the day was slowly moving to darkness the risk increases. Reptiles, Snakes and some other nocturnal animals flashed our thoughts.
Eventually I could hear Rohit saying he found a trail. This was the Moment of Magic to my ears. Again comes another hurdle. To add to our confusion there was two trails ahead once again. Not knowing which one to follow, we blankly looked each other. All of us were visibly upset. Instincts didn't help us anymore. And her comes the saviour "Andre". A guy named Andre has stick a note an the branch of a small bush. The note reads "TAKE RIGHT FROM HERE, 5 MINUTES WALK. ANDRE ". Confidence builds up again. Yeah.. 5 minutes.
The right trail takes us to a very thick and dark patch which finally ends after 5 minutes to the base of the Fort. The entrance of the fort could be seen from here. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to climb up to the top. There was a steep slope of rocks which is more of waterfall than a trail. Since it didn't rain for some days already, there was a little water flowing and we can climb up the rocks without much hassle. We are lucky to be able to reach the top at the right time, though a bit late than expected. Darkness beginsthe moment we reach the top.
The 500 Mtrs range LED Torch which we purchased from Aim Point was the only source of light from here on. We noticed a bones ( may be of cow) lying around probably eaten by some wild animals. We walked the valley in search of a right place to pitch in our tent. After pitching the tent, we had to collect firewoods to light a bonfire. Camphor that we brought along with us was really helpful as a substitute of fuel to light a fire. The fire was a necessity since I heard somewhere that wild animals won't go near a fire. So it means it gives us warmth as well as acts as a protection from wild animals. Here I learnt the peculiar nature of fire. Rohit said one sensible thing about fire which I never thought about ever. I am not sure how many of us might have thought of fire in this perspective.While I was lighting the camphor with a matchbox Rohit said "Fire is really awesome. Only Human beings know how to make a fire. If any animals would have known it, there could be serious problems for human beings. Imagine monkeys could make a fire, it may light up the entire city." Well this was true. Only man can make fire because man are born Intelligent.
Circling the fire we were having a good time, discussing and planning about the next trek. The major concern at this point was of reptiles. There was a heavy mist at the top of the hill and the visibility was really poor. From time to time we focused our 500 Mtrs range LED Torch around to check if any uninvited creatures were roaming around. It was around 10pm at night then. I was playing with the torch and I focused my light pointing far to see if the range of the torch was actually 500 Mtrs as Mr. Bandhukwala claims to be. Here is where I noticed a green sparkle, more of a reflection of the light. It looks more like a reflective stripes that are used in vehicles intended for safety but the only difference here is that it is green in color and it seems to be moving. I moved around the light once more and I spotted the same green thing again. It was an eye of some wild animals, I am sure because it is big. When a light falls on it, it sparkles. At this point Ehsan moved around his torch on the North direction and he noticed a green eye there too. I suggested everyone to pick up a stick (the only weapon we have).
"It could be a leopard or a wolf or a fox".Earlier Rohit had told me an incident where his brother who stays in Canada didn't pick up one phone call from his mother. Worried she called his aunt in U.S. and inturn his aunt called emergency helpline of Canada and that the cops was at his brothers doorsteps within 30 minutes. This kind of emergency response cannot happen in India since it is India. Paranoid of our situation we decided go inside the tent where we switched off all the lights so that we didn't attract any curious animals. Nothing untoward happened at night aand we wake up in the morning to experience a heavy mist. It was beautiful. Our photographer Ehsan started to his shooting session and we enjoyed the view. The feeling was amazing. After about an hour or two we wrapped up our stuffs, dissembled the tent and now ready for our return trek.
At 8.20am we started our trek, feeding on Glucon-D for energy we walked down the slope. We didn't expect any inconvinience on the way back since we are now aware about the path to be followed. We keep on walking crossed the village with 5 house not knowing that another trouble was waiting for us ahead. There was a herd of buffaloes ahead of us blocking the entire trail. When we moved forward they come towards us. We ran back and waited for sometime. They are just not willing to pass us. There was an alpha male(a bull ) with a long horn, very much ready to rip us apart whenever we tried to move closer. Sensing that we may end up in trouble we decide to walk back and find a new way. We followed the new way and after about an hour or so we reached another village where we enquired about any possible exit apart from the path where the bull reigns.
As per villagers direction we moved forward to land ourselves into another trouble. This time it is a herd of cow. The sun was already high and it was hot at this point of time (around 11 am). Very tired I want to go past them, but as I move closer one of the Ox walks towards me. All tired and exhausted I couldn't afford to walk back and look for other alternatives. Its just not possible anymore. We sat down for somtime and finally decided to scare the herd by throwing stones. Unexpectedly one ran toward us and started chasing. We ran as fast as we can and hide behind the bush. This ox follows us even behind the bush, probably determined to hunt us down. Run.. run..run.. shout one of us and we find ourselves going back to the village asking for another way where an Ox or a bull would not hurt us. They suggested us another way (the only option left ) which is a verical climb and the last thing I needed being very tired already. Having no other option we followed the trail, finally leading us to the Visapur-Lohagad junction after an hour walk where we take a long rest finally reaching Malavli station after 1 hour (approx). It took us 5 hours to trek back from Visapur till malavli station Thanks to cows and bulls.
Looks like you had a great time, pu no_nick! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Me, I am not much of a trekker, but I'm sure Benjamin (misual founder) would love your posts. He is really into all this too.
Yup Pu Sandman.. "a great time" would be an understatement.. :) Its a different experience away from civilisation. :) and I suggest you should try treking once.. You may found yourself loving it so much to be away from civilisation that you decided to follow the footsteps of Thoreau (Walden)
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