Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating India's Independence. Some watch the parade on TV, some actually go to places that have parades. Others would have to go to school or college for the flag hoisting ceremony (this is if your a student or a teacher or a professor). Still others go to church (as it is also the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady) and follow that with the flag hoisting ceremony at the Parish's school. Well this time decided to do something different. It's been a month since I've been in Pune and so wanting to visit various forts that formed a major part of the Maratha history. Decided to trek and so formulated a sort of plan with my colleague and friend Rahul, to trek to Torna.
Even though I've trekked before, a numerous amount of time when I was in boarding school. And I have been to forts like Lohgad and Raigad. Nothing in this world could have prepared me for this trek. The first problem was getting to the place. There was problem trying to pronounce the Base village (which was Valhe, by the way). This raised a bigger problem trying to find a bus that went there as we had one great difficulty pronouncing the village name. Somehow we did managed to get there. The initial part of the trek seem all nice and fun. Passing fields and cattle and little streams, getting your feet wet in the cool water. Taking pictures of the scenery. At all times adrenaline pumping at the sight of the fort covered by clouds.
But then that was the good part. Our problem was trying to decipher which path to follow (as no one thought it would be wise enough to put signs to point the right directions). Then there was problem getting lost and meeting people who were lost themselves (however never thinking of sticking with them so that all could find the proper path together). Climbing what looked like path of a small stream, then trying to scale upward holding on to grasses and trees. Snapping branches, slipping down loose mud and rocks. The rain not making our task any easier. Getting totally muddy, totally dirty (which actually was least of worries). Hanging on to grass and branches, if they could take our weight, our determination to reach the top almost diminishing with every slide we were taking. There a part of me that thought that I would end there or would need someone to come and rescue me. And then I would put my story in the Reader's
Digest under the true incident section. Anyway screaming at people for direction and meeting another pair who were as lost as us, we finally found what we could call proper path, with the occasional steps. Somehow we managed to make it to the top.
Breathless, tired, thirsty, hungry, dirty, we finally made it to the top. Gave a huge yell reaching the main gate. Felt like I just conquered my Everest. Remarkably managed to get a network on cell up on that mountain. Wished my Mumma, Grandpa, and Godma, and also a good friend of mine, wishing them from over 3000 feet. It was really emotional wishing them as there was part of which only recently thought I would have never hear their voice again.
Now the other daunting task was reaching the base again. Since we didn't have the energy and the mist didn't help make thing clearer, we decided to come down with another group. Trust me the trip getting down was obviously not at all easy. Had a whole lot of scare getting down slipper rocks. Trying to get foothold, holding on to the pipe railing (this became a dangerous when there were gaps between railing). Anyhow made it down, slipping and sliding, soiling clothes, footwear and bag in the process. Pitying the poor knees that was taking all the body weight. Finally getting down and washing ourselves in the cool, flowing water. Giving a thought of those who may have gotten lost among the trees in the mountain.
Reaching down, realizing how lucky we were to make it to the top safely. All the dangers we had put ourselves into. The adventure that we had, the scare of lives that we had. Finally glad to live to see a new day. Moreover grateful for the experience, for the adventure, for the story that we now have to tell the generations to come. Looking forward to another trek :)
Even though I've trekked before, a numerous amount of time when I was in boarding school. And I have been to forts like Lohgad and Raigad. Nothing in this world could have prepared me for this trek. The first problem was getting to the place. There was problem trying to pronounce the Base village (which was Valhe, by the way). This raised a bigger problem trying to find a bus that went there as we had one great difficulty pronouncing the village name. Somehow we did managed to get there. The initial part of the trek seem all nice and fun. Passing fields and cattle and little streams, getting your feet wet in the cool water. Taking pictures of the scenery. At all times adrenaline pumping at the sight of the fort covered by clouds.
But then that was the good part. Our problem was trying to decipher which path to follow (as no one thought it would be wise enough to put signs to point the right directions). Then there was problem getting lost and meeting people who were lost themselves (however never thinking of sticking with them so that all could find the proper path together). Climbing what looked like path of a small stream, then trying to scale upward holding on to grasses and trees. Snapping branches, slipping down loose mud and rocks. The rain not making our task any easier. Getting totally muddy, totally dirty (which actually was least of worries). Hanging on to grass and branches, if they could take our weight, our determination to reach the top almost diminishing with every slide we were taking. There a part of me that thought that I would end there or would need someone to come and rescue me. And then I would put my story in the Reader's
Digest under the true incident section. Anyway screaming at people for direction and meeting another pair who were as lost as us, we finally found what we could call proper path, with the occasional steps. Somehow we managed to make it to the top.Breathless, tired, thirsty, hungry, dirty, we finally made it to the top. Gave a huge yell reaching the main gate. Felt like I just conquered my Everest. Remarkably managed to get a network on cell up on that mountain. Wished my Mumma, Grandpa, and Godma, and also a good friend of mine, wishing them from over 3000 feet. It was really emotional wishing them as there was part of which only recently thought I would have never hear their voice again.
Now the other daunting task was reaching the base again. Since we didn't have the energy and the mist didn't help make thing clearer, we decided to come down with another group. Trust me the trip getting down was obviously not at all easy. Had a whole lot of scare getting down slipper rocks. Trying to get foothold, holding on to the pipe railing (this became a dangerous when there were gaps between railing). Anyhow made it down, slipping and sliding, soiling clothes, footwear and bag in the process. Pitying the poor knees that was taking all the body weight. Finally getting down and washing ourselves in the cool, flowing water. Giving a thought of those who may have gotten lost among the trees in the mountain.
Reaching down, realizing how lucky we were to make it to the top safely. All the dangers we had put ourselves into. The adventure that we had, the scare of lives that we had. Finally glad to live to see a new day. Moreover grateful for the experience, for the adventure, for the story that we now have to tell the generations to come. Looking forward to another trek :)
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