It was a time to try something new. Decided to try trekking..I had done many trek near by Bangalore but this time wanted to make it a bit big ! So, myself,Jigna, Gokul, Sandhya and Ramakrishna Sir started to Nishani Motte trek near Bhagamandala.Nishani motte is a relatively unknown peak in the talacauvery/ branhmagiri range. It lies to the south of Bhagamandala in a range which extends from Talacauvery in the north to Somamale in the south in one contiguous stretch without any break, going through peaks like Nishani motte, Tumba male, and Tadiyandamol. This stretch forms the border between Kannur / Kasargod districts in Kerala and Kodagu district in Karnataka. Last year's attempt to get to Nishani motte landed us in Nishani betta (in a range north of Bhagamandala), and in all sorts of trouble with forest department due to a mining dispute in that area.We stared off from Bangalore at 10.30 PM .On the way our vehicle(Qualis ) tyre got punctured near Mandya. We were a bit scared that the incident may delay the schedule.But thank god ! Everything went on smoothly and the tyre was fixed with the help of other cab drivers :)
We reached Bhagamandala by 6.00 AM and got refreshed in a guest house, had idlis for breakfast in a hotel and started off for the trek.
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| Bhagamadala Forest Office |
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| In front of the Forest office with Prakash and the another guide |
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| Our team from right-Jigna,Sandhya,Myself,Gokul,Ramakrishna and Prakash our guide |
We sprayed dettol to avoid leeches.It was a thick jungle and the route for about 3-4 kms was easy.Later on we were attacked by leeches and the path turned out to be tough as we started climbing the mountain.Prakash our forest guide accompanied us till the camp area.On the way we also met two trekkers from Andra, Ritwik and Ratna who reached peak on the same day.
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| Trek route |
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| Trek route |
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| On the mid way |
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| Trek route |
There was still one hand a half hours to reach our camp and it stared raining heavily.Hmmm, and my shoe !! Oh God the sole came off and i had to throw it half the way and had to put on my slippers. I was too tired . We had walked almost 12 kms and my legs had given up and all were hungry.We had ragi biscuits and Jigna gave us some apricots.Leeches were all around my feet and literally had to run all the way.Uf ! finally reached camp house at 1.30 PM.
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| Before we reached camp this was the weather.Awesome |
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| On the way to a camp , we found this house. |
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| Our sleeping place in the camp |
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| Jigna cooking |
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| Camp house |
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| Popcorns |
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| Soup |
All were tired to the core. Jigna prepared rotis and served us hot.We took a nap till 5.00 PM and had yummy soup and popcorns for snacks......I had a hot water bath and for 2 hrs we chatted in the house and then had chapatis and rice for dinner at 8.30 PM and went to sleep.Early moring all woke up at 6.30, had tea and noodles for breakfast and left for the peak at 8.30 AM.It took one and half hour to reach the peak.Almost 4 kms.Weather really was against us with rain, fog and mist all around.Sandhya had decided to give but we motivated her and all of us reached the peak at 10.30 AM.Every struggle paid off.
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| Next day morning on the way to the peak |
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| On the way to the peak |
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| On the way to the peak |
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| On the peak.HURRAY.WE MADE IT ! |
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| Myself on the peak with the camp house dog which followed us. :) |
We took some snaps and reached back camp at 12.30.From there, we packed our bags and trekked back in the jeep route for 6 kms .Our driver was waiting there ! Then we headed towards Bhagamandala and had kodava lunch at a guest house ! We reached Bangalore at 10.PM...Total of 18 kms trek to the peak and trekked back for 6kms.It was really challenging i enjoyed a lot.Love u Coorg :)
