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Published: January 28th 2020
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Kalsubai..the highest mountain trek of Maharashtra. For me and my friends the new year started with an opportunity of scaling the mountain on a night trek. 2019 taught us to explore the adventures of trekking and with the same excitement win 2020 we decided to venture out on a night trek with India Trails and Trek, a well-known trekkers group. We were a group of 6 including me and my sister in law Swati.
Registration for the trek was a smooth affair managed by our friend Arun. Trek was scheduled on the intervening night of 11th Jan and 12th Jan. Excitement was all in the air starting with preparing a to do list. A well fitting pair of shoes, water and head torch topped the list followed with extra pair of clothes, energy bars and other essentials.
The meeting point for all trekkers was fixed at Kasara Railway Station by 12.15 pm. Train availability on this route is very low so please do check M-indicator before u plan your travel. We had only one option suiting our time schedule. 5 of our team members boarded the train from CST and Dadar. I was going to board the same train at
Dombivli. But non availability of autos spoiled my plans and I had to literally run towards the train station to board the train.. Missing the train would mean missing the trek!!!....seems like physical training during school days saved my day as I boarded the train just as it started to move....Did u visualise the iconic DDLJ scene here?
On the next few stations people saw me alighting one compartment and boarding the next one, one by one to meet my group of friends who were already enjoying the moment together. Finally could catch up with them at Khadavli station. Amidst lot of talks and fun, selfies anfld groupies we finally reached Kasara at 12.10 am.
There we connected with the rest of the group of 75 people including the organisers. With a quick roll call we were asked to get into a car which would take us to the base village of Bari. Ours was second largest group of 6 people, the largest one being of 13 people.
The one and a half hour road journey from Kasara to Bari was an experience to cherish with the chilling wind On the isolated roads of Kasara Ghat giving goose bumps
on every turn. To add to this atmosphere was the mesmerising foggy background of the huge mountains. Where the wind gave goose bumps to those who were awake it also served as a cradle to those who preferred taking a short nap before the body aching trek. Enjoying the cool breeze and even more interesting talks we finally reached Bari village at 2.15am.
The organisers had arranged for a small refreshment of hot tea in a nearby hutmet of a villager. This followed with an intro session of all the trekkers.. We were relieved to find amature trekkers formed a larger count in the group. This itself gave us a comfort that... Yes I can!!!
Post a few snaps we started our most exciting night trek to the peak.
It was 3.50am in the morning and the lonely lanes of the village were giving us an insight of village life at its best. Geared up with the head torches we tried toatch the pace of our organisers...but half an hour later Swati, Mandar and me found ourselves lagging behind.. Three of our friends however were way ahead of us amongst the fastest people of the group.
One of
the things that sets this trek different from others is you will find multiple shelters built on the route by the villagers to help the trekkers catch a breath before they venture ahead. They also keep few refreshments like tea, milk, lime juice, cucumber, biscuits and water.
Our first halt was at a small temple in the village at about 500mts from the base. We prayed there, took some snaps in the beautiful full-moonlight and moved on ahead.
The organisers had divided themselves across the entire route to make sure one of them is always there for a group of 10-15 people to chear and guide them.
It was the first time we witnessed such a beauty of full moon light in the company of nature. Enroute the trek we were greeted by the humanity in the villagers when we met a villager who gave away his child's bed and blanket to an exhausted trekker.
What is a trek without memories of slipping. We too had our share of fall downs. Avoid climbing too close to the edge. The villagers have also collectively constructed ladders at 4 places to ease out the climb over steep portions. These
ladders though steep are a blessing in disguise. The last one is the steepest of all and takes us to the peak.
Enjoying the trek to our fullest we reached the plateau beneath the peak at 6.30am. By now the sky had started pulling up a blanket of yellow and orange shades at the horizon. Now it was time to gear up.. We had to win the race against Sun and reach the peak before the Sun starts it's daily routine.
Blog By - Manik & Swati
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Swaman
Manik Swati
Travel Blog - Kalsubai - The highest mountain trek of Maharashtra
Hi Manik and Swati , Congratulations on your first travel blog and all the best for your future treks. Please do connect with us for any help. Cheers Akshay Shetty Director - Wowfarers +91 91373 71473