Kudremukha - Of peaks and the leechy licks!

Being close to Mother Nature brings in a sense of unmatched wonderment! And when that happens back to back on two consecutive weekends your joy knows no bounds. A ton of thanks to the organizers at Bangalore Hikers (BH) for arranging such awesome back to back trekking events. Last week, after a fun some one day hike to Makalidurga, this week BH was back with a two day trek to Kudremukha, the third highest peak in Karnatka.

So it all began on a Friday night. After an ordinary week at office, we were brimming with excitement. Though I had loads of apprehension, given the fact that I was just a beginner at trekking and this was supposed to be a difficult trek, especially during monsoons. But all thanks to the enthusiastic group of 12 odd people, my companions for the trek, I did not give the knot rising up in my stomach, a second thought.

Makalidurga Trek in Cloudy Weather and Cool Breeze

A Cloudy day was awaiting us for small day hiking at a beautiful place called Makalidurga. We started our journey from Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station, though I joined my fellow hikers at Baiyappanahalli, 2 station after the starting point at around 8:00 AM. We were small group of 12 colourful vivid people. After joining them I sat along few of them, even though meeting these 12 people for the first time, the conversation started like we were old friends since long time. Few in the group were regular trekker, probably 2 of them first timers. Mouli and her Husband Bishwajeet just had been to Leh-Ladakh. The conversation started with their experience of such a wonderful trip, then there was Ashwani, who had gone there last year, a true biker. There description of experience they had was mesmerizing, felt like one should today itself go there. The chats went on and the destination arrived Makalidurga (9:45 AM).

Shivagange - My First Hiking

This was my first ever hiking so I was super excited about it. Shivagange - the place was just fantastic, with breathtaking views from the high altitudes.
My husband and I started early from home and reached Bangalore City Junction by 7:15am. We reached first and were waiting for the group, they joined us and we got into the Bangalore-Hubli passenger train. The train departed at 7:50am and the group started chit-chatting. We reached the destination station Dabaspete around 8:45am and we had to get down here. The train stops at station only for 1 minute. Our coach was stopped outside the platform and there was a rush in getting down. All participants were already on the platform, only my husband and I were left and trying to get down. Voila! The train guard flagged green and the train started moving. It was not moving too fast and the coach was entering the platform. Santosh, our organiser dragged me safely from the moving train. Seriously than I came to know that in this way also we could deboard the train ;) hahaha just kidding guys please don't try this…!