Yedakumeri - The Rail Track Walk

I did Yedakumeri trip at 2006 It’s a very special trekking because this was the first of its kind for me. This trip was organized by K S Adiga sir. As his plan we stayed night at school near by High-way and we started off on the trek soon after the sunrise. A brief walk down the Ghat road from our stay we hit the railway track after few minutes continues track walk we reached Donigal station.

Next trail follows a disused railway path in the Western Ghats. Yedakumeri is said to be inaccessible by road; getting to a road would involve a jungle walk of 8 km from Kempuhole side. This place surrounded by thick evergreen forests and countless number of streams running down the mountains, it has long been known as a picturesque place by the railway tracks, visited and admired by many. And when the trains stopped it became a paradise to nature lovers who came seeking solitude and enjoy the beauty of the nature

There is some conversion work in progress along this railway line, so occasionally we met workers. At one place we saw one beautiful cascade just few steps away from the track. The slight tilt of the composition is directed to the flow of the water below as the gorgeous cascade. Huddling into the exuberant verdure the beautiful waterfalls inland are like a sight of the paradise, watching them for hours will not be enough to satiate desire to feast eyes on that beauty of incredible merging of colors.

So many places from openings in the tunnels water gushing down like a shower, which serve as a refreshing shower on the tired body. I spotted verity of birds across our journey it’s really fistful to eyes to watch on its own land. Any kinds of butterflies are flattering around us across our expedition here it’s reflect some of my most secret wish can come true. It tells that, I wanted to preserve that world, the world I’ve given to you as a gift. While you’re reading these lines you feel that you’re entering a fantastic world, a one in which there’s no sorrow, no weariness, and no heavy thoughts. All these simply disappear behind the dark side of the Moon.

 

Just few meters before Yedakumeri walk down through the bridge the most breathe taking views of the forest with waterfalls and a heavy dense forest all along the way. The trek is worth the risk. The lush green forests, blue skies as far as the eyes can see, and silence so resounding that you can hear your own breath, surely invites any heart wanting to loose itself in the lap of nature.

After a long stretch of walk we reached Yedakumeri station the abandoned station offered safe haven from the cold of the night. We were all tired, so we collapsed right there and then, and later we gathered wood for a campfire and we occupied the station and had delicious food at night made by Adiga Sir.

Yedakumeri offers beautiful view of Arebetta hill range, Ombattugudda initial trekking routs and downer side beautiful Kempuhole river & valley views. The next day we walked less, only 18 km, the morning walking was easier though because the hills sheltered us from the sun, The path is very pretty, not breathtaking, but very pleasant. There are lots and lots of tunnels, dark, damp (if not wet), and bat-infested. We had been forewarned, so we had lots of flashlights. After virtually each tunnel, there was a bridge, with the ground suddenly falling steeply away to a rushing stream and dense forest below. Walking over these was mesmerizing, the greenery below blurring in the background of the worn wooden sleepers which we focused on with fierce concentration.

 The last leg of the trek was dry and aggregative when we just roasted between 12 am and 3 pm and badly reached Nattana station one by one and caught Passenger train to Mangalore. Now a days Passenger trains are running at day and night time to continuations to Bangalore. We can enjoy by getting down at station & walk around Yedakumeri easily using these facilities.

AramaneGadde (AramaneGudda) -Part 2

Our first glimpse dissolved all our concerns, for the scenery was breathtaking! Against bright blue skies the place, perched on the steep hillside, and boasted a fabulous view of the surrounded rolling hills, forest and pampas. This place where once Mysore maharaja cultivated paddy for some time, evidence of two small check dams can be seen in the shola forests near the Aramane gadde. Apparently the raja had also planned to build a palace at this place which didn’t materialize due to some reason.

 

We pitched our tents in on corner of the AramaneGadde & made nice tea & put rice for night dinner Even though it was so sunny outside, the campsite was considerably cooler and  water in the stream was pleasantly cold there was a beautiful stretch of grassland overlooking a valley right in front of our campsite and rest of the evening I went around investigating  all surrounding ranges one by one  

 

I was walking & I saw one huge Russell Viper in the thick grasslands just a step away, due to its characteristic body color and pattern, it was completely camouflaged  and was difficult to be located in the grass luckily I saw before I could step on it but was unable to take any photos.

After 15 minutes walk I reached Western side of the hill top. I locate Mugilagiri peak from that place & had a great full glimpse of AramaneGadde, really it was a Paradise for nature’s lover. We spent some time on top & started to hike main spot AramaneGudda peak. This time I walked with extra care & after a long walk we reached AramaneGudda peak 1270m of elevation..

 

From top I could locate Kadumane Estate, MuruGudda, MurkalGudda, OmbattuGudda & JenkalluGuda. Rest of my teammates also joined me we had solo photo sessions had nice valley view spent till Sunset later we started to descend down. Night after a campfire we all had a good sleep.

 

Morning we decided to go through new track but we were disappointed because of our guides they did not agree to come with us because of risk & fear factors. A hard thwarted mood we stepped back. Initial our return journey was quite comfortable after 1 hour walk once again by our guide only changed his mood discuss with us about his new plan.

 

He told he knew the direction & will bring us the way through some inside route. Certainly, going downhill was in my mind a more attractive option than continuing to climb same route and I persuaded to choose that lower trail. What a fortuitous decision that would be, for it led to the big trouble.

The descent was steep on a sandy terrain it was very hot and we were dehydrated. We were afraid to drink water; because we wanted to preserve as much as possible. We could hardly see any trees in the vicinity to take rest. If we sat to take rest; this scorching Sun was de-hydrating us even more. Continuous climbing down was more frantic & in our journey some places were deadly edge of the Valley side walk

Finally with lot of frustration we climbed down and reached the Highway road at late mid-noon. Had bath at Kempuhole & caught a return bus home and had quite good sleep in the bus with fantastic reminiscences......

AramaneGadde (Part-1)

AramaneGadda was my old plan and it was fulfilled at the beginning of this summer.  Friday night we booked a room in the Forest Department IB at Shiradigadi. When I reached the place it was very late night & very dark it was quite difficult to locate our place of stay (No power connection for this IB) finally I was able to get our reserved room. First I brightened the room with candles by then rest of my teammates joined me. The next day we were up early had breakfast at a small hotel & packed our lunch later we met our guide and planned out the schedule.

Our trek trail started from a point 7kms from IB (Chowdeshwari Temple) we caught one tanker to that point and an unpaid journey we were on our way by 8am. But on our initial journey we got disappointed because one forest officer did not allow us entering the forest without a permission letter & after lot of discussion we had to come to terms with currency.

Before he left he warned (threatened) us about smugglers were doing lot of illegal activities in the Sanctuary & they were not hesitate to kill any (But I couldn’t understand what these forest officer & department do knowing all these things whose duty was it to control unauthorized activities in Reserve forest it seems the whole department people was involved and all were just busy making money).

Later we came to know from our guides about the ruthless poaching and other illegal activities like cultivating Ganja in these wildlife rich areas. There is only one case involving ganja cultivation inside the Sanctuary there is large scale organized ganja cultivation in the AramaneGadde area & adjoining areas for which proposals have been made for inclusion in the Sanctuary. The presence of ganja cultivation in the Sanctuary is a potential threat to wildlife. The influence of the ganja cultivators on the tribal’s within the Sanctuary has been negatively affecting the eco-development initiatives in this range.

 

We entered inside the forest and followed a gravel path ascending from starting point. Slowly we were coming out of thick forest into the rough smolder grasslands after 45 minutes non-stop climbing along with carrying heavy bags. The sun was slowly coming out making the trek through the grasslands slightly tougher. Throughout the journey we find Venkatagiri, AreBetta, Himagiri and bottom side Beautiful Kempuhole River.

The climb was quite gradual steep for the first few hours we made very good progress but slowed down gradually as we were exhausted and the heavy bags were not helping the situation. The oranges we carried proved to be a very helpful when we ran out of water. The climb was very strenuous and all of us were drained there were hardly any trees to provide any shade too. 

 

During our tough dry walk few things did freshen our mind, during our climb I rested at a place and sat on one rock at the same time one brown rabbit passed through my legs & I was so stunned I jumped for this unexpected incident, even the poor rabbit also was frightened & ran from that spot. Later while crossing one mountain I found a group of Bison’s at a very short distance enjoying themselves in the wild.

 

Spending some time with them we left that place & crossed 2-3 Shola forests & we spotted some Sambers on a distance. Sighting wildlife can be challenging Nonetheless the journey through the forest ranges can be enchanting and exhilarating.

 

After a long walk we got one clean water spot settled down at a small stream inside the Shola forest. All filled enough water & had our packed lunch took some rest. After a long break once again we stepped forward to reach AramaneGudda after crossing few Shola forests & grasslands one large forest came in front of us. After almost 30 minutes struggle we stepped on AramaneGadde the wide open grassland area.

To be continued…