Skandagiri night trek - A night to remember

After a lot of contemplation about a three day trip to Karwar island, we dropped the idea and planned for a trek. Since, Ramit is also coming to Bangalore we wanted to organise something challenging enough for him and thought about a night trek.

A lot of planning was required since it was a night trek and most of us are doing it for the first time in life.And, of all it is an illegal trek.Yes, Skandagiri night trek is banned by Police. Ashwath and Murali have worked a lot on contacts, to rescue us just in case we end up in the police station.Though they did not tell anybody much about that.Everything was in place, torches, snacks and medical kit.But ,there was a lot of discussion on Daaru. Finally, everybody agreed that we are not going to carry Daaru.

We set off at 9:00 PM, late in the evening in two cars.This time, the allocations in the car happened on the basis of weight.All the heavy weights were in Murali's car which included Hari, Murali, Ramit,Ashwath and TJ. Ofcourse, the racer car was occupied by Shameen, Charan and Mr.Flirt Kanhaiya enjoying in the back seat with two ladies Sangeetha and Subha going by his line 'Kya Faraq Padta hai'.

We stopped for dinner by 10 PM at Bhagini, and since all of them were already advised to have light dinner it did not take us much time to finish. Sangitha, the new lady in our team was targeted this time and people pulled her leg every time she tried to say something.We finished dinner and are heading back to the car while people spotted the Daaru shop. As a team ,daaru entices us more than anything.We bought some and started from there.

It is 12:15 AM by the time we reached the place. The place is desolated and Murali started off with his ghost tricks frightening all the girls.We spotted a guide but his eyes were so red, pretty apt to the place.After negotiating with him, we started to trek.The silver shine of the moon is so fascinating, and the landscape got better with the altitude as we trekked.

As we trekked higher, the things we were carrying got heavier. Girls luggage was transferred to the poor guys who carried the bags all along.We finished the breezers and some of the oranges along the way.Moaning and groaning,we still continued the trek.As we climbed higher, the temperature dipped and it got colder and colder.

Team being very supportive to each other, somehow we reached the summit.But it was so cold that we could hardly speak without stammering, for sometime. Deepak was running here and there collecting twigs for the camp fire. But whatever we do, the fire just does not stay.It blew off all the times we tried lighting it.We gave up and then, daaru time started.The drinks we carried were hardly sufficient for any person.Almost everybody was trying to snatch the drinks from each other.

Murali came up with a solution for the daaru problem.he said whoever is going to come and perform to whatever he asks would get daaru. As we all expected, Shameen was the first one to go.She was asked to propose to Kanhaiya, which she did in her unique way, made Kanhaiya accept her proposal and got her quota of daaru.Next, in line was the most placid of the team, Charan. He was asked to dance for a song where he asked Sangeetha to join him to perform a duet and they performed in the chilling cold and both got sips of alcohol.

The entertainment continued for sometime but the temperature got worser.We all sat tight for a few minutes, and some were too tired so they dozed off.The time slowly passd by and it 5:40 AM, where we could notice the colour change in the sky.But also, the wind blew heavier.We stood there at the sunrise point closely hugging each other calling out for Suraj mama. I think that was the only day in my life where I desperately waited so much for the sun to pop up. But every few minutes the sky had variations in colour proportions.Finally after a long wait, sunrise happened around 6:30 AM.I cant describe the beauty of sunrise that day in words.It was worth more than all the pain we took in reaching there. Ofcourse, we posed for a lot of pictures.The sun got brighter, we realised we had to start from there before it gets too sunny.

The way back, the route was longer and took us more time to reach back.We had a typical south Indian breakfast and set back home.Obviously, while coming back in Murali's car it has to be Murali's 'gyan time'.We reached home and fell asleep for a long time forgetting completely about the run we registered for, next morning.

Key learning of the trek which applies to our team anywhere and everywhere which is quoted by Mark Udall"You don't climb mountains without a team, you don't climb mountains without being fit, you don't climb mountains without being prepared and you don't climb mountains without balancing the risks and rewards. And you never climb a mountain on accident - it has to be intentional".

Ghatikallu - Kya faraq padta hai !

DAY 0 - 6th Dec,2014 - Just drive

The day started with a lot of enthuse, about the overnight journey. We  were planning for this offsite for a month but confirmed it only a week back. Fortunately, there were no last minute drop outs and we set off according to the plan.

The most excited of us all was Ms.Saba. She shopped, also visited the beauty salon to look her best in the photographs. The journey started with Deepak’s favorite song Baby doll played on a repeat mode in his car. Subin, who is most heard of but less acquainted, travelled all the way from Bombay to join this trip.

We set off in three cars, the fastest being Deepak’s followed by Murali and then Hari, whose car was the safest since it consisted senior citizens Hari, Anvitha, Aswath and Sree. Senior citizens dozed off ,Baby doll in the highest volume was played in the racing car, while weird stories from childhood to teenage to adulthood were forcefully narrated  in Murali’s car during the drive.

The hot tea served in the pit stops, biting cold weather added to the list of best moments. Every toll gate where we stood in the line to pay the toll, the air force car speedily passes through, and waited the other side to mock. Guys in Murali’s car started off narrating weird moments in life, love stories to music.  After driving for eight fun filled, sleep deprived hours we reached the destination, Ghatikallu Home stay.

DAY 1 - 7th Dec, 2014 - Trek and Daaru party

Some thought they could rest but the others dragged everybody for a small trek to explore the home stay. Of course, our senior citizens joined us for  few minutes and then gave up. We came back had breakfast. We got into a jeep, and set off for a thrill filled journey through the valley to reach a scenic beauty spot and posed for pictures. The dread started for some, when we came to know that we had a 3Km long stretch to trek. The beginning was better, but started getting worser, panting got common, and girls were afraid of skin tan. With a lot of each others motivation we reached the pinnacle. The feeling that we succeeded was as if we reached the Mt.Everest peak. Deepak trekked down with bare foot sacrificing his shoes for our princess Subha whose shoes were worn out during the trek.He cited a perfect example of a lead.

                                                                                                                                   

Fortunately, we got back to the jeep in good shape and started for the waterfalls nearby. This time, the valley was much deeper, it was like a roller coaster ride on the jeep.  We fell on each other , tamped foot, gave support and reached the waterfalls. We put on life jackets and got into water. The water was chilling cold in the afternoon, but it was so soothing that we got rid of our tiresomeness. It was as if the water pulled away all the physical pain we took for trek. We splashed water and enjoyed like kids.While the senior citizens including Murali were relaxing on the banks.

We got back, had lunch, did a bit of bird watching and relaxed for a while where time just passed by and the most awaited time of the offsite, Daru time started. There was campfire, Daaru and spicy food. What more could anyone ask for? A dozen bottles of colorful alcohol were all poured into one can and served. The evening started with a great news that Subha would shortly be converted as an FTE ensued by Swayamvar programme for girls, all the eligible bachelors had a say where the light, action and cut were managed by Murali.  Followed by a truth and dare game, which lead to confessions. Then, the “Murali Gyan” time started. He was high, but was talking about the togetherness and the bonding of the team he built and molded so carefully. He expressed his gratitude to all the team members. Lot of group hugs happened since morning but the most significant one was after Murali put in his two cents to the team.This was followed by the after effects of Daaru. Murali throwed up and went to bed but Shameen started banging her head to the wall, threw up and then started “Abhi toh party shuru hui hai”.

Tired and tucked up in bed, I am sure everybody in their senses would have thought what a wonderful day it was!

Day 2 - 8th Dec,2014 - Temple and set back

Murali and Shameen had a complete black out of previous night. We spent time narrating drunken tales of the preceding night. Got ready, checked out and set back home. On the way, we visited an ancient temple and revisited the history of Chollas. 

Post that, palmistry sessions were taken by Murali, where he predicted Subha would have twin babies, Shameen would marry twice and TJ would have a complicated life ahead.

Post lunch, guys in Murali’s car had a Q & A session on leadership. The fun and thrill filled trip ended with the evening, but a lot of amazing moments and memories are struck with us for lifetime.

Kya faraq padta Hai - "The bonds are stronger, the feeling of connectivity is larger, and the oneness as a team is beyond the horizon"