'Peak'ing at the right time? 

Tadiandamol :)

First time experience of anything is always memorable, or at least that is the way one wants it and yearns for. This being my first blog I was torn between many things to write and express about, eventually zeroing in on one of my favorite outing in recent times. It’s not a coincidence that my trek to Tadiandamol made it to this piece of write up for it was a mix of so many things to me, breathing much needed zest in life and also rekindling the simple joys of exploring anything new and at the same time experiencing something new about ourselves along the way. Though many things will surely get lost in this attempt to translate my true experience of the trek, I had to start and here I am with the hope that this first one leads the way for a long innings here. 

Located in Coorg, Tadiandamol is the sixth highest peak in Karnataka. A combination of scenic beauty, simmering  imagery and not being too strenuous, Tadiandamol is a perfect introduction to anyone who wants to take up trekking and keep it going J



So we friends, all of us being at the mercy of corporate life and weekend excitement, finally managed to get our schedules worked out and be geared up for this trek. Of course on one of the weekends J. After reading up about this place and its trekking nature, one of our friends in the group had chalked out the itinerary and made all the arrangements. We left Bangalore at around 8 AM, collected tents and sleeping bags at a renting place in Mysore before reaching the trek’s starting point called Aramane near Kakkabbe in Coorg, at 5PM.  It was a smooth drive with ample amount of breaks in between to not make the journey tiring. The first thing to catch our attention soon after reaching Aramane was a small sign board which read "Camping at night on the peak is not allowed". Small place this Aramane, has just one hotel to stay over and maybe a couple of restaurants that serve as decent joints to rest and have some coffee.  Though a tad bit tired, we dint want to waste any time wondering about getting stuck in the middle of the trek due to darkness, and hence parked our cars  in a restaurant nearby and started hiking instantly.


 

The trek is a total of about 6-8 km and not a very strenuous one. Initially the trail is surrounded with trees, and then opens into grassland. The legendary ‘Big Rock’ point is ideal for camping mainly due to water source being available here, and we were there by about 6.30 PM after an hour and half’s trek. So as soon as we reached we started levelling the grass and pitching the tent. Personal suggestion to all the trekkers is - camping on the peak may not be a good idea, as it can get very windy during night and cooking also can get very difficult under those circumstances.

Having pitched the tent and settled in, slowly it started sinking in that we are surrounded by an enormous amount of silence in the lap of nature that is far from all the hustle and bustle of the city.  It was a sheer moment of acknowledging the enormity of nature along with its simplicity in amazement. Soon the noise kicked in, well ours J 

We started cooking - barbecue chicken, chicken curry and lemon rice being the chef’s special for the night. Had food amidst campfire, after which vodka shots and rum helped us beat the cold. It was truly an amazing night under the sky, surrounded by trees and full of silence with just us burning some lanterns. Peaceful sleep after all the fun.

Woke up around 6 AM to a misty morning whose chillness made the getting-up-to-continue-trekking very difficult.  Sunlight finally did cut through all the haze and we started cutting through the thick forest to get to the top. Slightly strenuous and definitely the toughest part of this trek is this last one hour, but once  we managed to get through it, the sight which followed just held our breath. Sun simply shined the brightest and beautiful than ever. However within few minutes of this gaze, clouds covered the place and sun was hidden completely.  Each of us took our own time in soaking all the beauty around, before grouping again to take some selfies. And yeah, we flew kites there which was a first time ever for me by the way and was fun seeing them kiss the skies. We came back to the tents around 11 AM, prepared maggie and coffee before packing all our stuff to leave the place. 

 

It was just a weekend, but far from all the malls and rushes of Bengaluru. It was a first trek with this group of friends, and has filled up memories that lasts a distance. It was me there, soaking in the sun, the wind, the mist, and becoming almost invisible amidst all of it. It is a beginning, a beginning of the old joys, a beginning of a new path.