My trek log…

Its been on my wish list since past 5 years... to maintain a list of all the places I have hiked. Am trying to list them... will elaborate on my website lateron.

1: Manali- rohtang pass- bias kund trek:

it was my first trek. Directly to himalayas... Actually had just taken my SSC examinations and had 3 month break. My cousin was going for this trek ( his father, my uncle, is an avid trekker and an excellent photographer). When he asked me first... as usual... I laughed at him. Afterall.... why to walk 15 kilometers a day when you can reach that same place by a jeep in an hour.... I mean .. why , rt??... It was not logical for me that time. But then accompnied him for his daily practice sessions ( means carrying 3 liters of water and 3 volumes of world book and walking 6-7 kilometers a day) and somehow I liked it.

Those 20 days I spent with 39 other equally crazy guys were full of fun and excitement.

1.b: Kuari Pass:

This 20 day trek, which I did in May 2005 was sort of a dream come true. Ever since I have been to US, it was my dream to go to India just for a Himalayan trek. I got such opportunity as I had a bit of time between my Masters and PhD, so thought of making a trip. It was a cool trek. Even though I didn’t know anyone of the trek group before, made a few really good friends during the trek, and had real fun in extreme weather at 14000 ft. The view from the top of Kuari Pass was simply amazing. Everyone was so emotional and nostalgic to see that miracle of nature. The whole 7-8 days of walk, totaling almost 90 kms was worth it just for that one moment.

2: Treks in sahyadri:

a: from karjat:

bhimashankar ( twice)

dhak beheri ( 3 times... once lost our way)

peth ( twice)

peb
matheran ( one tree hill point)

b: from kalyan:

naneghat ( many times)

jeevdhan
ganesh garad

gorakhgad ( 3 times)

harishchandra gad ( twice)

c: pune region:

lohgad-visapur ( twice)

rajmachi ( twice)

kondane caves

rajgad
sinhagad
torana
purandar
dukes nose

d: kasara region:

kalsubai
ratangad
mahuli

e: konkan region:

karnala
sagargad
sudhagad
sarasgad ( twice)

raigad
pratapgad

f: near mumbai:

kohoj
shirgaon
tandulwadi
vasai

g: satara:

sajjangad

h: treks in USA:

yellow mountain park trail

tallulah falls (twice)

table rock falls

rainbow falls (twice)

turtleback falls (twice)

wildcat falls

great smokie mountain park (4 times)

raven cliff falls trail

twin falls

falls creek falls

chattanooga national forest

allegheny national park (minister creek trail)

3: rock climbing

karnala
mumbra
kanheri
clemson (we actually have a rock climbing wall)

4: rappelling:

panorama point, matheran

dukes nose

kanheri
karnala


Want to do many more....

I like trekking (hiking, as its called here in US) and camping... I like to spend tranquil moments with myself in nature. I like to get wet when it rains cats and dogs. I like to shiver in cold. I like to drink spring water and I like to sleep on bare land. I guess I am at my best when I am out in a jungle. Many of my friends would agree to it. I have visited many of those places more than once... I guess that is in my destiny (that I keep going to same places again and again)... but each one was a distinct and memorable experience. I had some weird friends... Ashish, Chetan, Amol, Avinash, Kaustubh, Bhushan, Mayuresh, Sameer, Aniket and Amit... to name a few... who were equally fanatic about trekking. Many of these treks were unplanned, decided on spur of the moment.

I sometimes sorely miss my trekking days in India. I guess those were the best days of my life...