Wednesday, November 09, 2016

Pre kodachadri musings

t's been an year since my last trek  in which I hiked Tadiyandamol.    Some or the other stuff came about and I was not able to think of a trek.  At last I got a weekend at hand with my family away at hometown.   Trek was the plan which quickly came to my mind.  I have heard about the Kodachadri trek since very long time from my friend who introduced trekking to me.  Back then he almost hiked every weekend covering all the ranges in the western ghats.  I think he did the silent valley trek as well spanning days together in the wild. 

Tadiyandamol range


I haven't done many treks but a couple I would say.  For the last trek I got a wealth of information from the internet which helped to climb the peak.  So thankful to the open information available to anyone.  This time around I pledged myself to give back as much as possible to the open community.  Thanks to many many bloggers who have poured a wealth of information regarding the trek trail to Kodachadri  I made this trek because of the information volunteers and owe my thanks to all of them.

From my first set of search I found that there are two trekking trails (Actually three) to Kudremukh peak.  First and the very popular one being  the path via "Hidlumane Falls" and the second one being the "Karigatte gate" route.  There is a third route as well and since I did not do a diligent search I am unable to comment anything more about the third path here.

Honestly there has been quite a few write ups about the "Hidlumane village" route but still vague I would say.  And moreover the trek across the "Hidluemane falls" needs a guide.  Photos over the net were very attractive and I badly wanted to trek via that path.  One of the blog was very very informative and I indeed took down all the points and made my mind to hit the trail.   There was one another blog which was very detailed regarding the "Karigatte gate" route and like the general opinion, the post re-iterated that the trail is a single trail and anyone can do including the first timers.   I noted down the details of this route as well as  a plan "if-in-case".

As a any other Bengalurean, quickly checked the tickets and found that tickets are available.  I got confused whether to reach Kundapur and then take another but to Kollur.  But immedietly it striked me that since Kollur is a popular destination for the temple, I expected few direct buses from Bangalore and my thought was indeed right.  There were direct operated by KSRTC but it started at 7 or 8 pm I guess and that is too much to ask from a Marathaillite :P :P  Although KSRTC is very very dependable (I have a personal reason for KSRTC and not for any particular reason)  time factor made me to search for other operators.  A quick search gave  me that there was one trip from SRS.  I checked the price and booked immedietly to Kollur.  So here I come Kodachadri!!!!!!!

Last couple of times, always I have been running on the road at the last moment to catch a bus.. Be it the KSRTC at 9.30 or TNSTC at 9.40.  With the  pick up scheduled at 8 pm, I understood that it is going to be difficult unless I leave the house at 5.45.  As usual I left at 6.5 and when I hit the bus stop and saw the first bus, without second thought I stepped in considering the painful  marathahalli junction.  As expected it was huffing and puffing to cross the Marathalli bridge and the worst part is that the citi bus driver wants to pick every person possible in every stop.  He drove as slow as possible and by the time I reached Domlur bus-stop it was 7.10 pm.  With roughtly 40 minutes, and considering shooley circle, richmond circle.. I forgot bus and hired an auto.  The driver accepted to turn meter and at last smartly took me to Kalasipalya at 7.50 pm.  But still I have to run the last couple of steps. Hooofff… You know what time the pick up bus came??? It came at 8.40… I had all the time to grab a set dosa in a nearby 'kai yendhi bavan' (Tamil for road side shop)


SRS depo at Anand Rao circle

The pick up bus reached the SRS depo on the Anand Rao circle and my bus was scheduled at 9.30 pm.  It eventually came at 10 and got settled in my upper berth with wishes from my family.  I managed to catch some sleep a bit later and the bus scheduled for arrival at 7.30 reached Kollur by 8.30 am.  So Kollur at last