Another Awesome monsoon experience.

Another Awesome monsoon experience.

Monsoon mesmerizes nature lovers. Forest becomes lively after dry days of summer. trees turn green, streams over flows, water falls brims with the beauty and grass lands become like well maintained golf course. Over all its a treat to our eyes. But there is a rider ! we can experience all this beauty only if we over come leechophobia !!! :p.

After many years of our association with our jungle friends (!!!), we have researched best repellent which will keep t

hese intelligent parasites at bay!. Though we have many solutions like lime paste, tobacco, salt etc to avoid leech, best solution is to apply some pain balms like amruthanjan, zandu balm vicks etc., These pain balms have strong odour and also they are very oily,

so when its raining the solution we apply wont get washed away easily and lasts long.Coming back to our monsoon mania, As usual we wait for the monsoon to see the glory of the forest every year. This year luckily monsoon has set in at right time without delay. For the last few years monsoon had been elusive in the June and even in July. But this time we have bountiful rain in June itself. Many requests us to plan for monsoon trekking. So this time too there were some requests.

Then started planning for a monsoon trek. Thought of doing some exclusive trek. For quite sometime we had not trekked to meghane peak. This is because forest department was not permiting. Few years back some hunters from bhatkal had hunted GAUR for meat and then thet were transporting the meat. At Nagavalli forest checkpost they were stopped for checking. Then suddenly hunters whipped out weapons and attacked forest guards. There were serious injury to the guards but there was no casualty. After this they had stoped permitting stran

gers to enter the peak and surrounding.

This time i managed to get permission and started off the preparation. When announced in the forum, got lot of response, but final count was 9 in the gang. We booked the ticket in Linganamakki bus. All of us met at mejestic bus stand. There was one goof up i had done, when i was sending out mail i had typed a wrong mobile num ! . So everyone were struggling to reach me. Trekmate Deepak had almost hope of catching up with us...! some how all us met. But there was bad news one of the girl dropped off in the last moment!. Still managed to sell the ticket reservation though lost little amount in the bargain. Bus started off at 9:45pm from mejestic. There was one foreigner in the gang. Mr.Mamoun is from comoros island. He was very adoptive and talkative. Soon we all became friends and chatted for a while. Mamoun sat with me and we chatted for a long about culture , politics etc all about our nations. But could not tolerate sleep any more ...

Rain god showed no mercy and intensified further. By the time we reached

Nagavalli forest checkpost , ran had given break for a while. We quickly distributed the grocery among all trekkers to be carry it in their

backpack and submitted the permission letter to the guard there and started off trek. Rain just started pouring again. As mentioned earlier, meghane hill is one of the highest in the valley. The peak assent is really challenging to any seasoned trekkers. Moreover, now the condition was most in hospitable as it was raining heavily over top and leaches were having feast down on the legs. As advised by me trekkers had applied amruthangen, so though leeches were coming on shoes they did not bite most of them. But fellow trekkers were so scared of them and started removing religiously. The assent got tough as we progressed. Couple of trekkers were lagging behind and i had to be with them.

Reached kargal by morning 6:30 AM. Had a nice sleep and was fresh. I had requested for a jeep to drop us to the trek starting point a day prior. So jeep came in 10 minutes without delay. All of us got in to jeep. We reached muppane nature camp where breakfast was ready. As there were other groups for trek and water sports, break fast was ready for all. We were the first group to reach camp. Trekkers got busy with morning ablution.. By then Breakfast was ready and everyone had sumptuous breakfast. Got ready and were all packed to jeep. Then the rain god started showing up and as the time progressed, it was just hell broke loose.. ! It just rained like hell. We stopped at kogar forest office and submitted letter of permit and moved towards Nagavalli.

Rain started pouring with more intensity. As rain has muddied the water, some trekkers fell short of drinking water. for sometime it caused a problem. Luckily there was a small pond

constructed for wild animals. We found a streak coming out under a stone. it was crystal clear water. We collected some water and moved on. After a while were able to see the sky !!!.. Till now from the bottom of the hill we were never able to see the sky as the thick canopy of tree were blocking it. There we found a beautiful green patch filled with budding grass. But we were barely see anything as thick fog formation covered us. The visibility was nil !!!. So though it was disappointing as we were not able view the entire valley, but it was a nice feeling to be in cloud, feeling like floating along with the cloud.

Soon rain started pouring. As we were open area we could not tolerate the pour. So we thought of trekking down. But there was a hitch. We could not make out the way down!. Though i had done this trek many times long before, with the thick fog i was totally confused. But we started searching for the way. We took almost an hour to come to conclusion for the way. There was one more problem, we had not had lunch!!. All of were getting hungry. Rain was not letting us to cook and eat. Finally we found a way out to down and started going down.

Many were tired to the core. It was very steep way while going down. Knees were aching like hell. And the problem of leech just got worse

while going down. Our ways was filled with knee deep water. It was skidding. Some how we managed to reach ONTI MANE (single house). Our cook sridhar went and asked landlord to permit us to stay put for the night. He happily agreed. It was a big relief and every one got in to house and changed the dress. By then Our cook sridhar prepared the hot tea. It was a amrutha at that time for all us. Within no time our cook prepared lunch (at 5pm) and it was yummy. All of had nice lunch. The sambar was just amazing. We thought we will continue the trek to next onti mane, but we decided against it as it was raining still. Our cook was preparing for the dinner, so we sat and had a chat session. And outside it was pouring without break. By 10pm , dinner was ready. Sridhar had prepared nice dinner.

Though there was a problem with the bisi bele baath, other things were very yummy specially payasa. We finished dinner and we had no patience to sit anymore as we were damn tired and slept off.

Next morning woke up and had a morning cuppa. Got freshen up. by then breakfast was ready. It was a raagi and rice dosas along with the brinjal chutney. It was yummy breakfast. We thanked the land lord and moved towards our next destination. The pouring continued without break. We had to change our plan to reach the new falls as the streams were all full and brimming. So we trekked towards basavana baayi. Reached the falls and had fun time. It was time to pack off. Our cook was preparing lunch at a house near by. We reached the house and had nice lunch. Called a taxi and reached Kargal. It got delayed a bit and some had to miss the reserved bus. All buses were full, luckily we got some bus with last row of seat. Reached bangalore with great memories of mother natures hues and colors in the monsoon. All the time we were there in the valley, it just poured like anything. Linganamakki dam got almost 5ft of water in 3-4 days. its a record of sort.

Link for photos of the trek:-

By Vijay,

https://picasaweb.google.com/vijay.gadwal/SharavathiValleyMeghaneTrek2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyvw9GmztvdQA&feat=email

By Raghu

https://picasaweb.google.com/srinivasa.raghu/SharavathyValleyJune2011?feat=email

NOTE:- As few more Trekkers want to trek in this route, We have it again on 16/17th July 2011. So if anybody wants to do this route, please mail back asap.

First Monsoon Trekking For 2011

First Monsoon Trekking For 2011

As we have been busy these days with our standard trek+water sports activity on all weekend, we did not find time for any new trek program. Meanwhile there were many in the group who are keen to be in the valley this monsoon.

Monsoon this year has been on time and it has not disappointed us like last 2 years. Monsoon is in full vigor in the malnad region. It is raining heavily over there in the Sharavathi valley. Water level in the Linganamakki reservoir raising. As it is raining heavily, all streams are full so the water falls !. We had not seen the such a fury in the falls which are there in sharavathi valley before. Last weekend we had couple of treks, it was an amazingmonsoon treks.

When it rains , Sharavathi valley becomes like a bride draped in green sarees and wearing jasmine flower on her pony tail !. Here green saree is the lush green grass and the jasmine flower is the cloud !!.

The landscape around kattinakar is so awesome to see as there are beautiful grass land and cloud kissing mountains around this place. This place is the main point for our all treks. The seen in the monsoon in this area is really treat to all nature lovers eyes.

To start this year monsoon trek program, We are planning for Nagavalli-->Meghane--> a new water falls.

Meghane is one of the highest peak in the sharavathi valley and its in. It is one of the high density of fauna in the sharavathi wild life

sanctuary .

In this hill region common sight is indian gaur, civet and many more. We used to trek to this peak regularly till year 2005. Later entry was banned as there was a serious poaching problem. This peak is awesome place to sit and watch the nature beauty. On the one direction you can see the arabian sea, and all other side green cover of valley.

The plan of trek is as fallows:-

Trek Dates:- 25/26-06-2011(weekend)

• Start from bangalore on 24th friday evening in KSRTC rajahamasa bus and reach Kargal on 25th Saturday Morning.
• Start from Kargal to Nagavalli in a local bus which is about 35KM.
• Reach Nagavalli forest check post and trek up the meghane hill.
• Have lunch half the way and continue to the peak.
• Reach peak and spend sometime.
• Trek down the hill and reach a onti mane (single hamlet) and stay over night.
• Wake up and continue the trek towards a new falls.
• Reach falls and enjoy.
• Trek back to Hogevaddi and travel back.

For some pics and blog please refer to the fallowing link,

http://srikslib.blogspot.com/2007/02/meghane-trek-log-ii.html

So if you are free that weekend and wish to join us, please send me copy of some photo ID proof like DL, PAN card, PP etc., immediately. This is required for obtaining wild life division permission to enter the sanctuary.

Please mail to prapancha@gmail.com if u need more info

Trek on 22/23rd Janurary 2011

Hi All

This weekend ie., on 22/23rd Jan 2011, we have organised a open group trek to the fallowing route. Those who have not done this route can join us. If joining us, please send me scaned copy of some ID proof like DL, PAN card etc ASAP.

Sampath

Welcome to Sharavathi Nature Trails.....

Who we are?:- The sharavathi Nature Trails. is a non-profit Registered organization working on nature conservation and to generate rural employment. We conduct island camping, kayaking, canoeing in Sharavathi backwater and Trekking to very serene tarils in sharavathi valley where u will be exploring lots of hidden water falls.

The Sharavathi Valley:- The Sharavathi river valley nestled in the central Western Ghats, Shimoga district has been an ecological paradise. The Sharavathi River, rising at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluk flows north-west and drops down in the Ghats at the world famous Jog falls. The sharavathi Valley is home for many water falls and to some of the beautiful streams. The valley is evergreen to semi-evergreen forest along with moist deciduous type of forests dominate the entire basin along with scrub savannah, grasslands, marshy areas and plantation of acacia, cash crops like areca and rubber providing diverse niches for a variety of taxa. Rare evergreen species such as Dipterocarpus, Syzygium, Cinnamon, Diospyros, Aglaia, endemic Palms along with the globally endangered Myrist-icasps makes this an ecologically sensitive region to be conserved and not marketed.

Accomdation:- Stay in tribals house.
Food:- Food is going to be Simple Vegetarian food and it will be freshly cooked food at the camp site.


Route:- Veegi falls ---> Melnur --> Kanoor Fort ---> Hebbayana keri --> kanoor..

Itinerary:-

* Deaprture from Bangalore by around 10:00 PM.

Day1:-
* Reach Sagar by 6:00 AM in the morning.
* Catch a jeep or van to reach trek starting point and freshen up on the way in a stream.
* Reach Trek starting point and have Breakfast.
* Start the trek towards first veegi falls. Spend some time in falls
* Trek to second veegi falls. Play in the falls if interested.
* Have lunch and trek towards melnur tribals house..
* Reach Melnur and Camp in tribal's house.
* Have fun time around camp fire.
* Have dinner and retire for the day.

Day2:-
* Wake up by 5:00 AM and get freshen up quickly.
* Have Tea and start the trek towards Kanoor fort.
* Reach kanoor fort lake and have breakfast
* Trek inside and ruined fort and then trek towards Hebbayyana keri
* Have lunch and play in the river and trek to kanoor
* Start the journey back to Bangalore

For part of trek blog and photos, check the fallowing link
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/11/1-2nd-nov-2008-trek-report.html

Nature Etiquette (Every campers must fallow):-

• Our programs are basic and minimalist; do not expect city-like comfort, adjust with what ever is being provided. Any additional requests need to be made prior to the start of the program
• We strictly do not allow smoking, drinking (alcohol) and consumption of non-veg on our programs. (If anyone voilates these rules, we will stop the activities right at that point)
  
• We follow the 'leave no trace' & 'zero impact camping' practice; do not litter on the trail, please carry back all the material garbage you generate on the program
• The forests have their own orchestra of sounds; use of Walkman's & music systems is strictly prohibited; we would like you listen to birds, animals, leaves and the wind
• The locals, animals, birds have the right of 'way' and 'say' in our programs. We wish to respect their dignity to the fullest extent possible.

Things to bring for the camping:-

• A proper BackPack. (A bag which can be put on our back and other kinds of bags wont do).

A plate with a spoon for eating food. (Must) (please dont bring disposable like paper plate etc))

One cup for drinking water, tea etc. (Must) (please dont bring disposable like paper plate etc))
• Please bring One lite bed sheet. Foam sleeping Mat will be arranged by us.
A small hand torche. (Must)

A 1 ltr. water bottle.
• Please wear sandals, wearing shoe may be a problem as u have to removing when u r getting in to Boat.
  
Toilet kit (brush, toothpaste, comb

Sun cap and Sun lotion.

Please carry only items which we have mentioned. Please dont carry anything extra, if ur bag weighs heavy it will be discomfort to u.

Please feel free Mail to prapancha@gmail.com or call me on my mobile if you need any more information

A Very Happy and Green New Year

My Dear fellow Trekkers,

We have come to end of another year. The year 2010 was so good and buzzing with activities. Only regret is we did not have chance to announce many treks as we were full almost all the weekends with our standard camp activities. The year 2010 monsoon treks were amazing as usual. We explored 3 more new water falls in the season. We had a clean up session along with students of 'Madras Christian college' in the valley. We cleaned up a common tourist point in the valley. It was another memorable moments with you all for the activities in the valley. Thank you all for making such a wonderful year of activities.

Moving forward,

We, the staff of "The Sharavathi Nature Trails.." Wish You Very Happy and Green New Year" in advance. We look forward to have you back in the valley.

With Best Wishes and Regards,

Staff of "The Sharavathi Nature Trails..."

Bit of Trek, Bit of Cave Exploration, Bit of Wild life

Bit of Trek, Bit of Cave Exploration, Bit of Wild life

Month of September was hectic for us, so could not think of announcing any trek. Many were asking for the trek trip after our first successful trip in august.
So we are planning this "Bit of Trek, Bit of Cave Exploration, Bit of Wild life " program again this weekend (9/10th October 2010) with little change in the program. The stay will b inside wildlife sanctuary with tents.

Synopsis of the Bits.....
Bit of Trek:- This is trek up to a hill lock. this hill lock is near Sakaleshpur Bisile ghat. This trek will b around 5KM one way. Its easy trek. On the trek route we come across 2 beautiful lakes on top of the hill and also a small water fall.
Bit of Cave Exploration:- On top of the hill there is a huge and beautiful stone formation. In this stone formation there is a cave.
Bit of Wild life:- We will b going for early morning safari in Nagarahole wild life sanctuary.


Stay:- Stay in the jungle by pitching tent.


Probable itinerary of the program.

Day1:-

• Reach Trek Starting point and freshen up in the stream.
• Have Breakfast and start the trek towards hill top.
• Enjoy the beautiful lakes view and play in a small water falls.
• Have lunch and rest for a while.
• Trek up to the top of the hill and explore the cave. U get 360 degree view of the western ghat from this point.
• start trek down to the foot hills and travel to the camp near Nagarhole national park.
• Reach the camp, Have camp fire and dinner.

Day2:-

• Wake up by 4AM. Freshen up and have tea and leave for Wild life Safari.
• Roam around in the park travel back to the camp and have breakfast.
• Visit Irupu falls,play in the water and have lunch.
• Start travel back and reach Bangalore by around 10PM.
  

For the trek route blog and photos please refer the fallowing link.

http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2010/08/unforgetable-trek-trip.html

Please mail me (prapancha@gmail.com) if anymore info u require. Let me know ASAP if u r joining us.

Some pics of these Bits....:-

Beautiful lake on top of the hill (i call it 'Spatika sarovara')















Beautiful falls on the hill top















Cave on top of the hill

Dear All,
I had mentioned in my earlier mail about trek to Bheemeswara and dabbe falls coming weekend(4/5th sept). But this weekend i was in valley and i have come across 2 new beautiful water falls. So the itinerary will change. Here is the itinerary and other details about the trek.


Trek Route:- Hogekeri---->Vaddimakki water falls---> Megur(Halt)--->Doddabyana water falls--->Bheeswara water falls.

The Sharavathi Valley:- The Sharavathi river valley nestled in the central Western Ghats, Shimoga district has been an ecological paradise. The Sharavathi River, rising at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluk flows north-west and drops down in the Ghats at the world famous Jog falls. The sharavathi Valley is home for many water falls and to some of the beautiful streams. The valley is evergreen to semi-evergreen forest along with moist deciduous type of forests dominate the entire basin along with scrub savannah, grasslands, marshy areas and plantation of acacia, cash crops like areca and rubber providing diverse niches for a variety of taxa. Rare evergreen species such as Dipterocarpus, Syzygium, Cinnamon, Diospyros, Aglaia, endemic Palms along with the globally endangered Myrist-icasps makes this an ecologically sensitive region to be conserved and not marketed.

Likely Itinerary for the 2 days trek

Departure:- on 3rd sept 2010 by KSRTC Rajahamsa bus to Kargal. From there hire jeep to reach hogekeri.

Date:- 04-09-2010

* Reach Hogekeri , the Trek start point.
* Freshen Up in the stream, Have Break fast.
* Reach vaddimakki water falls and Have lunch.
* Start the Trek towards Megur camp in a tribals house.
* Have a Camp fire and enjoy the evening(Depends on rain situation). Also interact with Tribals.
* Have dinner and retire for the day


Date:-05-09-2010

* Wake up by 6:00 AM and get freshen up quickly.
* Have Breakfast and start the trek to Doddabyana water falls .
* Trek to Bheeswara water falls and if possible Enjoy in the Water fall (depends on the water level.
* Have lunch and Trek to the road.
* Catch the vehicle and travel back to kargal and then to sagar.
* travel back to bangalore.

For now i have info photos of bheeswara water falls photos. Please check the fallowing link.
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/07/mungaaru-maleye-yenu-ninna-hanigala.html

Please reply me ASAP if u r joining us as we need reserve the bus tickets and feel free to reply for any clarification or doubts.

Unforgetable Trek-trip

Many of my trekkers after exploring Sharavathi valley trek routes, used to ask me if i have trek/camps and other programs in other parts of western ghats. As it used to be busy weekends in our camp, i had not thought of anything for a while. But i had some free weekends in august as there was less water sports activity.
We planned to explore some new routes and we planned to combine various activity to make it more diverse activity program. Accordingly, we explored a 1 day trek route near sakaleshpur and combined it with wild life safari in Nagarhole sanctuary, rappelling and playing in a lake with life jacket.
We announced this activity in the group for the weekend of 21/22nd of august. Though the initial response was less we could get about about 10 trekkers for the program finally. We hired a Tempo traveller. We planned to leave on Saturday early morning. As planned we started off at 4 am in the morning. But by the time we pickup everyone and leave Bangalore it was 6:45am. I was thinking it will b too late, but cab driver was just excellent and we were in channarayapattana by 9 am. We had quick breakfast and started off journey. We reached trek starting point by 11am and started off the trek.
It was pleasant weather with now and then drizzling and mostly cloudy. Initially it was all over lush green coffee plantation. Then it was great evergreen forest cover. We were engaged in lot of talks while trekking and suddenly our fellow trekker kinjal pointed to a lake which was hiding under the thick forest cover. It was just an amazing view from the top. Though it was small the vegetation cover around the lake had given so much beauty to the lake. Trekkers took some nice shots of the place and moved on. After this point the talks got less and everyone was enjoying the natures wonderful creation. Few had gone ahead and had stopped on a small rock formation. This rock formation has been destroyed for granite quarrying. In the same place we had held a massive protest rally against this in the year 2006. Luckily it is now stopped though the damage is visible. It was a breath taking view from this point. There were small grass patches (locally called ByaNa) which were so green with budding grass. It was a treat for eyes.
After a small stop over we moved further. We came across a small stream where we tanked up some mineral water. After some trek we came to a junction where we had to deviate to the peak where caves are there. But our lunch was getting ready down near another lake. We had to decide which is first. According to majority we decided to have lunch and moved towards lake, where our chief cook Dharmanna was preparing delicious lunch. Some got down to see a small water fall near the lake , others rested on the lake bed. It was an amazing place to be. The lake bed was looking like natural gulf course. Lunch was ready to b served. We just collected some plantain leaf to have the lunch which gave extra flavor to the delicious lunch. Dharmanna had prepared rice, eere kaayi sambaar, papad and pickle. It was just amazing to eat such a tasty food in such an amazing place.
After the lunch we wasted no time and trekked towards peak. It started raining heavily.This peak gets covered with fog in almost all seasons. Its an amazing peak with 360 degree view of the western ghat. In this peak there is a rock formation which is almost 500 mts in length and about 100 ft depth. And this rock formation looks like curved stones and it has flat surface which is idea for claiming and rappelling . In the same rock formation there is a cave. We got in to the cave. Getting in to the cave is difficult as it as very small entrance. so once is pot bellied then its truly difficult ;).
After the cave exploration we started going down the peak. It was raining heavily still. We reached the foothill of the peak , where our cab was waiting for us. It was truly awesome trek though it was short trek. We came across string of small lakes which are treat to nature lovers eyes. We got in to cab and drove towards Nagarahole. It was drizzling still. We drove through somvarpet , kushalnagar and hunsur. we reached camp leopard rock, where we supposed to stay by 10:30PM. Dinner was ready by then. As everyone were tired and sleepy just stuffed some food and slept off.
Sharp 5 AM, Our instructor woke us up and asked us to get ready quickly to go for wild life safari. We had tea and left for the nagarahole sanctuary. After entering the gate we were observing both sides keenly for any movement of animals. After some distance , we came across spotted deer, which are very common. Then we came across wild boar. We reached nagarhole sanctuary office, where we opted to go on safari in to the sanctuary by department bus. We could not any special animals, we came across only deers and langur. All of us were really hungry , so planned move out of the sanctuary and reached the rappelling spot near the camp. By then our cook dharmanna had prepared nice "malnad akki rotti" and avalakki. we wasted no time filled up our stomach. It was nice breakfast.
Our instructor Ram was readying the rappelling kit and by then we rested for a while. First Ram gave us demo and then asked all of us to go to the top of the rock one by one. First it was santhosh. He was daring, we were amazed to see his enthu. then all of us had a great experience.
After the rappelling event, we traveled back to camp and rested for a while. Then we went to near by lake with life jacket and swam for a while. Then came a raft. we had bit of still water rafting. Came back to the camp and dressed up and assembled at the dining hall for the lunch. Dharmanna had prepared delicious bisi bele baath and curdrice with hesaru bele payasa. Had stomach full lunch. It was superb lunch. Then we had a final group photo session and said good bye to the camp and traveled towards Bangalore.
Reached bangaore by 10:30pm. It was a great trek-trip with various adventure activities. I must say group was just great. An another awesome weekend we had in the ghat. And readying for another weekend camp and leaving tonight!!.

Trekkers:-

• Sachidanand banegal
• Prashanth pathak
• Benzamin
• Nancy
• Lal ringzuala
• Rimi goswami
• Kinjal shah
• Praveen
• Santosh
• Muknd
• Sampath

Photos by trekkers:-
By Prshanth:-
http://picasaweb.google.com/prashant.c.pathak/GaviBettaTrek_21_22Aug2010
By Benzamin:-
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/benjaminrtz/TrekToGaviBettaWithSampath
By Sachidanand
http://picasaweb.google.com/sachidananda.bs/GaviBetta#
By Mukund
http://picasaweb.google.com/111658344772397225103/GaviBetta?feat=email#
By Praveen
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/praveendbit/GaviBetta082010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMurj76K2OWShgE&feat=email#

NOTE:- Our next trek is on 4/5th Spet 2010, which is next weekend. The route will b Bheemswara falls-->Dabbe falls. Bheemeswara is heaven on earth in the monsoon season. Please check the fallowing link for more info on this route:- http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/07/mungaaru-maleye-yenu-ninna-hanigala.html . Please mail me ASAP if u r joining us.