Saturday, August 15, 2015

Monsoon trek to HGod Waterfalls

 During monsoon the rain drenched forests of the Western Ghats can give off an eerie glow allowing a rare glimpse into one of nature’s spectacular eccentricities. It was my heart’s desire to visit the Western Ghats during the monsoon, coupled with fog and mist, unspoiled greenery, numerous gushing waterfalls and plenty view points with relatively less crowd.  Lot of planning went into this trek we were looking forward for this monsoon trek since it was quite some time we had gone out during rains.
 On the morning of July 4th at around 7AM we left Honnavar in a hired tempo. It was drizzling and all through the route. Western Ghats were its best in this season, green everywhere you could see and filled with countless waterfalls and I would say this is the best time to explore waterfalls when everything around water is alive. We reached the village around 8.30 AM. My friend and our guide Mahabaal was there to welcome us, further he impressed us a lot with his courage, manner, navigation and arrangements.
 We followed him through narrow wooden bridge to a small house where his uncle living since 40 years. They prepared for us some delicious food; I just loved the food and Jack-fruit. After 1 hour break we started trekking with limited languages. By now it was again raining heavily. The dark storm clouds gathered above the craggy pinnacles in front of us as we readied ourselves to hike.

The initial trail was incredible through the green soaked sleepy hamlet. The road was highly scenic. Rain smell of eucalyptus was very pleasant though after a very tiring journey. It was nice to sight many orchids, fungi, lot of geckos, smaller streams, many wild flowers, insects and many more in those thick woods while walking. Green mountains, Areca nut plantations never ending small streams wild flowers were enough to make anybody a poet.

There was nothing but the sound of the flowing water and that of the waterfall at a distance was simply magical. Gushing milky waterfall on end was a pleasure to get drenched but the main difficulty was along with skies opening up mother earth also decided to sing and dance down the mountains in form of swollen streams making it really tough testing our strength to the maximum, but of course we did manage to cross most of the streams.
Thankfully there are no leaches here like in the Western Ghats. After crossing several streams we reached the base in around one and half hours. It was a nice to walk in the rain, and on slippery rocks with leech and passing through numerous streams and amazingly huge trees. We didn't know if it was the rain or the fall we got drenched in but we were so engrossed in its beauty nothing mattered except for nature's beauty.


 Deep inside the jungle a mixture of sweat and rain was tricking my face as I scrambled though a damp narrow cascade. We were just there and it was amazing to see the spectacular waterfalls, here water plunges in 8 stages and the fall is in its full glory during the monsoon. Standing bottom of the 5th stage on one side of the deep ravine looked into a waterfall filled with lush vegetation, wild flowers and the steep contours formed a dramatic foreground to the rising hills and clouds brewing behind me, every inch of the earth suffused in a generous green.
 Usually the upper section contains loose rocks and is not climbed while people are below. Failure to hear the warning, Inexperience with area I made a wrong attempt and witnessed a bad incidence. The rock had at least a 20 meter unobstructed fallen to one of my teammate back with minimum harm.
We had our pack lunch nearby stream and our afternoon hike through the small tribal hamlets had extended late into the evening, hindered with incomplete attempt to the hidden waterfalls.
We filled our heart's content monsoon trek was at its best. From the start to the end we were blown away by the beauty and serenity of the trial.  We stopped many times to remind ourselves how lucky we were and to revel in the natural beauty of our surrounds. What a wonderful trek. Mahabal was a wonderful guide so perceptive in how he cared for us throughout the journey. He was completely at home in this landscape and looked after us brilliantly.

I would like to thank the each team member for making expedition successful with such wonderful trekking experiences. That love for walking on country is very infectious. I really hope to come on more treks with this team in the near future. My feet are already itching for the next adventure! The experience was very important to me, something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

15 comments:

Nanda kumar said...

Those exquisite literary joints resembles the aura of this magical location depicting that these words were not artificially articulated. This exhibits your authentic affinity towards our beautiful treasure, the Western Ghats Mr.Rakesh! Even though I have feeble opportunities explore such exotic destinations, I experience them through your blogposts on my digital surface. I also feel the spectacle of green robed mountains, pristine aqua foaming down the rugged trail of hills & also monsoon magic. Keep writing, Keep exploring. Hats off to you & your inquisitiveness. God bless you!

Regards,
Nandakumar

http://randomscribblingpad.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Can you locate this waterfalls on Gmap pls. I didnt find name of this falls anywhere on Google.

Unknown said...

Hello Rakesh,

Hope you are doing well. Its so good to see you back exploring the western ghats. Having moved out of Mangalore for work related purpose blogs by you, Rajesh Naik still gives me a chance to feel the magic of western ghats. Beautiful place and nicely written.

Regards,
Nitin

admin said...

Awesome blog and pics with nice informations - my tempo traveller tempo traveller hire, tempo traveller on rent , car rental, car hire at cheap and best price...

Unknown said...

I become fan of you after reading your blogs, Please keep this blog busy . nobody has explored Karnataka's beauty like you.
Only request is wherever the spot is try to locate with google map for us please.



Lots of Love from Hubli.

Unknown said...

I become fan of you after reading your blogs, Please keep this blog busy . nobody has explored Karnataka's beauty like you.
Only request is wherever the spot is try to locate with google map for us please.



Lots of Love from Hubli.

Unknown said...

I become fan of you after reading your blogs, Please keep this blog busy . nobody has explored Karnataka's beauty like you.
Only request is wherever the spot is try to locate with google map for us please.



Lots of Love from Hubli.

Unknown said...

Hello Sir, can you please guide us where exactly this H God waterfalls are located??? After looking at this, I'm planning my next trip to this gorgeous place... I've no two-wheeler and i'll be travelling by bus... So, Kindly guide us how to reach the falls...

Web designer said...

wow very good Awesome blog and pics with nice informations - Tempo Traveller in delhi, tempo traveller for india tour from delhi

Jagat Yatra said...

wow very good Awesome blog and pics with nice informations - tempo traveller hire in delhi tempo traveller on rent, my tempo traveller on rent in delhi, tempo traveller hire, india tours, tempo traveller on rent at cheap and best price..

Vishwanath Gaitonde said...

Hello Rakesh,

I need to contact you on Phone. Please provide me the particulars. Need info on HGOD falls.

tempotraveller said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Innova Car hire said...

You have written a good blog which is providing best information to the viewer. Thanks buddy you are doing a nice work. Toyota Innova is the most comfortable vehicle for 6 -7 people. Visit our website to book Innova car in Delhi. Innova Car on Rent, Innova Car hire Delhi, Outstation Tour by Toyota Innova

Dharamshala Tourism said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Amazing, This is called perfect blog you write it wonderfully with such a useful information about Ghats. If you really love to travel in Tirupati then don't forget to visit here:- Tirupati Balaji Package