Megani Expedition : Galigudda and Devakunda (Udupi YHA unit State Level Trek-2008)

Devakunda and Galigudda

This trek was organized by YHAI Udupi unit in Udupi Dist, Karnataka in November 2008. One needs to get permission from forest department to trek in this area.

The trek route is as follows: Day 1: Mavinkar (Reporting place) – Bavudi - Thearthabare Falls - Megani (base camp). (15 km)Day 2: Megani – Galigudda – Devakunda - Haddubare - Megani. (10 km)Day 3: Megani - Hullukudike (6 km).

Some part of places in first day was little steep, but manageable we reached a wonderful falls (Teeerthabarae) having our lunch relaxing to the sound of falls we continued, after a big adventure lot of puffing and panting and not willing to give up we reached our Base camp which was beautifully located at a serene spot surrounded by mountains all around it was like in middle of a deep bowl in the jungle Megani village late in the evening.

Devakunda and Galigudda

The whole trek was made easy by the fact that the trek route was through thick forest and hence devoid of harsh sun rays and also abundance of water. These jungles seemed to be fairly untouched by commercial activities or even by trekkers.

YHA Udupi volunteers had already reached the place ahead of us gave all of us a warm welcome they had arranged everything and the pitched tents was a sight to behold after settling down with stars to guide us around we had our dinner and slipped into our sleeping bags looking forward for a big adventure. Selection of trek route was excellent & also management of arrangement was simply superb by YHAI.

Next day morning we woke up to the calls of the jungle we were so excited though we had trekked the whole day previously, we were looking forward for the next day's adventure sounds of nature and excitement woke us up early and fresh, breakfast was a delicacy a tastefully prepared dish under the guidance of our expert Mr.Adiga known for his culinary expertise which was cooked at the camp the fresh aroma was mouthwatering. After a sumptuous breakfast we started our trek deep into the jungles our second day journey into the wilderness began with lot of enthusiasm.

Our second day trek was with many memorable experiences we passed through typical grassland-shoals, eco-systems which are prevalent all over the Western Ghats, the moist deciduous, semi-evergreen & evergreen forest paths untouched by any human was very beautiful the raw nature pure clean air is all a human needs to blend with.

After an hour's walk we reached an open place here we saw some large group of Indian Gaurs (type of bison) on the other side of the peak, though at a distance those animals could sense humans and within minutes they disappeared,

Devakunda

-after a long trek in the wild climbing many small mountains we reached a place called Galigudda (which means windy mountain) by the locals and like the name it was a place where wind energy could be conserved it was so windy we literally had to lie down because of the force of wind it was simply amazing at a height where we climbed many mountains we never felt wind this strong but at this place it was simply superb, every one of us were trying to be a bird trying to glide it was very tempting to soar in the air after trying to be birds we turned to Devakunda one of the big mountain in that range.

We had our lunch between these two mountains near a steam called Muguthi hole, a very tasty lunch was packed at our base camp and like little school children we enjoyed lunch in the forest, after a wild trek we returned to our base camp completely exhausted we had refreshing bath at the river flowing near the camp completely relaxed and after a wonderful camp fire teasing each other with multitude of talented people we wound up our second day.

Haddubare

Third day of our camp started very slow and every one were feeling very dull none of us wanted to go back to city life after two days of splendid life with nature with reluctance and force we drove ourselves out of nature it was only pure walking and walking down the hill a rather tedious and boring thing, though every one were practically out of energy sighting many vipers and snakes kept us on vigil to sight more,

Hullukudike

Ready to attack- Russel wiper

Finally we reached Hullukudikae a small temple where we had to disperse after snacks and a small certificate distribution ceremony.

Really hats off to our Udupi YHAI for a wonderful trekking camp, an experience which could not be captured on pictures nor be described in words, a thrilling memorable adventure in the mountains, looking forward to many more such camps.