Most of us after finish hectic year end work in the company wanted to have some break. So we planned for this trek on December first weekend (6th Dec 08). Due to improper planning and traffic, seven of us got into train (Harisha and Akash couldn't make it). In train we met Bharath rao's (unfortunately 3 Bharath's were with us, so look at the team snap to know them clearly) friend Hemanth, who was on the way to Mysore, it took hardly few minutes
for us to convince him for trek. I believe journey should be unplanned, which he experienced also had a great time. By morning 3.30 we were in Sakaleshpura. Took rest for few minutes in hotel, though had to struggle for finding one, most of them were filled. It was damn chilly at that time. Harisha and Akash joined us at hotel. After having breakfast, we took auto. But bcoz of some miss guiding we started trek around 4.5km before Donigal(which was supposed to be the starting point). We walked through coffee estates for two kms, before meeting railway track.Harisha and me posing like Veeru and Jai...
Within 200 mtrs of walk, we met the first train. We tried our best to pose in front of it, had little time though.
Every train which goes in this track during day time are goods train ( with atleast 50-70 bogies and double engines). Sun rays piercing dense woods, created a magic. Just after walking for 30 mins, we were kind of adjusted to the track, where every step were matching with the sleepers (concrete beams over which rails are laid). We had a decent pace, may be walking at 4-5 kms, which i feel as good pace. 
Reached the first bridge, this is pretty long, with a drop of at least 150 feet. We spent some time here, just was really happy to be on some thing like that. Second one was really muddy, which made it to look really colorful. Some construction was going on near it. While talking to Srikanth recently, came to know few years back, there were no plates on bridges. Every step on that was full of risk and thrill. But now its safe also not much crunchy. Few hours later after crossing bridges we came near bridge where some repair work was going. But there was easy access to the river below. In no time we jumped in to the water. That was real fun. Took some amount of rest after having lunch(as usual thanks to MTR ready made food).Falls seen from first Tunnel....
Started walking after having rejuvenated bath, we were there for the best part of the trip. We came near first Tunnel. Within few meters into the tunnel, you will be in complete darkness. 
First one is really interesting, there is opening somewhere in b/w, where you can have this nice view.Now it was see-saw between Tunnels and Bridges here after. We encountered some great curves. Sun was bright, a clean blue sky made it look fantastic. No CGI can create images like these. Most of the tunnel construction work was done in 70's & 80's. You can see their efforts, cutting huge rocks, laying tracks on such a place is not a child's play.
Infront of first tunnel....
One of the many wonderful curves...
Dry grass were great, they were every where. Interplay b/w Tunnels n bridges was simply awesome. Tunnels were as small as 62 mtrs to long one around 674 mtrs. Torches were of great help, even you can hear heart beat, such a silent tunnel. Walking though the longest tunnel was indeed a great thrill. Took around 8 mins to cross this. But one which with 374 mtrs was the best of all. It's curvy, in almost all tunnels we could see light from the end, but in here, it was different. Hence most rememberable of the lot.
Almost nearing end of the journey on tracks, we were near a bridge. Sat beside it, engines were not as noisy as you can come across regularly. But what is in photo is just for fun. But others had wonderful experience here, most of the trains here won't horn from long distance. When our team was coming through pretty long tunnel, they just started to feel vibrations. They noticed the train, which was may be 100 feet away, so they jumped into drainage( dry one).Met few workers on the way who were from area which were badly hit by drought. But they were happy for their jobs, bit scared though to be in lonely place like that.
Full team(except bharat):
Me, Sharath aka Dimpu, Bharath alias Naga, Benne alias nothing, Harisha, Hemanth, Lazy Prasad, Bharath rao and Akash(unfortunately fell ill during journey).And finally Bharat in Joker's Nurse costume...
Few more really interesting snaps...Bridge on river some thing but not kwai....
Tired team:
Wallpaper from a memorable trip:
Brass-Grass:
Great effort from Indian railways to avoid any land slide, which were there for many kms:
Just before coming out of railway tracks, Harisha n Bharatha ran on bridge to take a close snap. Shocking only two plates were there instead of three. That was really good look at. After this next 7 kms, tested us a lot. It was too steep, if you are lucky enough you get some jeeps here. Also goods train will stop, but we thought of walking back, so had walk on steep roads for next 2 hours.
Steep muddy road...Journey back home was not so easy, we took tickets in Sakaleshpura. But came to only 5 bogies will be unreserved. But even they were of no use.
They were packed so badly, we couldn't even open the door. So had to get into luggage sections, which already had people sleeping. Huge door was open and tied, so had some wonderful chilly experience. Even though we were not much tired, our foot was paining badly. Walking on tracks for 18+ kms is not so easy, it definitely requires lots of patience.In the end, walking for almost 30 kms with crossing 13 tunnels and 22 bridges was satisfying. Especially walking through tunnels is worth the journey.
For trekkers:Best season: Any time except June to August. But looks great b/w September to December.
Bangalore to Sakaleshpura: 250 kms.
Requires Stamina also Water scarcity will be there in summer. Early start is always preferable.
A great walk never to be missed...
Super Man(junath)
1 comment:
Nice place, i am thrill to be there once in my life time
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