[Raps]

Hey!

Looks like you guys had wonderful trek and had a good time. I understand its very strenuous but after reaching the summit. Its a different feeling altogether.

We will plan for this trek during Nov-Dec.

Last month trekked to Kodachnadri through Hidlumane falls which was really good.

OG: will be next trek for sure. Will ping you for more information

Cheers,
Raps

[brraj]

Why dont we all make it a t-bhp meet and explore the Gudda.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by shazikon

Nice trek addy..am planning this trek in Oct Nov.. your info would be of great help

Thanks shazikon. Glad to be of help

Originally Posted by Raps

Hey!

Looks like you guys had wonderful trek and had a good time. I understand its very strenuous but after reaching the summit. Its a different feeling altogether.

We will plan for this trek during Nov-Dec.

Last month trekked to Kodachnadri through Hidlumane falls which was really good.

OG: will be next trek for sure. Will ping you for more information

Cheers,
Raps

Thanks a lot Raps. You can ping me anytime. Kodachadri is also a very beautiful trek. I haven't done it through Hidlumane falls though.

Originally Posted by brraj

Why dont we all make it a t-bhp meet and explore the Gudda.

Sure, why not? The gudda is a must do destination for any trekker.

[figo_united]

Originally Posted by brraj

Why dont we all make it a t-bhp meet and explore the Gudda.

Great idea
We have a guide too now

[addyhemmige]

The route ahead


Climbing up. It was quite steep.


The vast expanse of forests. The Kadamane Tea estate is located behind the mountain range in the pic




The climb up ahead


I’ve had the privilege of trekking the forest below once before


One more to go. OG is a series of nine peaks and you have to cross a few of them to reach the tallest one.


And we finally made it!!!!! We were on top of OG. We had managed to reach OG peak on our first attempt (unlike many others). The GPS reading showed 971 meters above sea level (same as the SoI Maps). The time was exactly 1 pm.


Deepadakallu gudda to the left and Jenukallu gudda to the right


View of Amedikallu (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...trekkalog.html)


View of the mountains. You can see a jeep track on the mountain at the bottom right of the pic


And the customary group photo on the peak


The route to Hosakere. (jeep track)



Another view


Leaving the peak behind


Tall grass everywhere


At the end of the nine humps, we had to go through a small patch of forest to reach the Saraswati estate and take the jeep road to Hosakere.

Weird looking plants in this forest



Continued.....

[brraj]

Wonderful travelogue reminds me of this trip
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...w-bhpians.html

How many kgs have you lost by this trek?

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by brraj

Wonderful travelogue reminds me of this trip
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...w-bhpians.html

How many kgs have you lost by this trek?

I hoped to lose quite a few, but I don't think I succeeded

[mohang_j]

Superb narration Addy. Everyone will have same experience as you in OG. As you said without maps and compass GPS is of no use in such places. We had to pass the peak in the rain and we all enjoyed the route very much.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by mohang_j

Superb narration Addy. Everyone will have same experience as you in OG. As you said without maps and compass GPS is of no use in such places. We had to pass the peak in the rain and we all enjoyed the route very much.

How was it when it rained while you were at the peak? Recently I had been on a trek to Kumaraparvatha (coming from Bisle and joining the regular route at Bhattara Mane), while we were nearing the peak, it started pouring buckets!!! To add to our misery, it was a hailstorm. We were all drenched to the bone by the time we came out. And this was in peak summer (in March).

Originally Posted by figo_united

Great idea
We have a guide too now

This guide is only as good as his partners. Please don't blame him if he takes you on a wild goose chase

[addyhemmige]

Once we reached the Estate, we were greeted by a few cows and bulls which were grazing. Just as we tried to pass through them, one bull suddenly decided that he did not like intruders and was about to charge at us. Somehow, he just stopped after taking a couple of steps. Talk about luck; we had trekked through a forest full of elephants for 2 days and at our first point of contact with civilization, we get chased by a domesticated bull . Moving on after a few minutes, we met an estate worker who said that we were the second group to arrive today and that the first group had left just half an hour ago. We had reached the estate at 02.15 pm. IIRC, the estate worker told us that there was a bus to Mudigere at 4 pm and again at 5.30 pm and that if we were quick enough, we could catch the 4 pm bus. But, we were not that hopeful of that (we were tired and had to walk under the hot sun) and thanked him and left. Btw, Hosakere is approx 8kms from Saraswati estate.

On the jeep track




Final View of OG from the jeep track


The jeep track goes from Saraswathi Estate to Hosakere via another estate called the Lakshmi Estate. Apparently, both these estates belong to a corporate firm (don’t remember which one). It was pretty long to walk the entire length of the jeep track. The workers at the Saraswati estate had told us about a shortcut which would take us right to Hosakere instead of going through Lakshmi Estate (which would be an additional 4-5 kms). They had asked us to take the first foot path we saw towards our left. Our landmark was a single concrete pole. Initially, when we leave the Saraswati Estate, the jeep track climbs uphill. But after you reach the highest point on the track, the route is downhill all the way to Hosakere. After some time on the jeep track, we noticed the path and the concrete pole and promptly took it. The trail passed through many streams and open grasslands before rejoining the jeep track on the outskirts of Hosakere.




Deepadakallu and Jenukallu seen from the other side


Reaching the outskirts of Hosakere


An old bungalow in Hosakere


Finally, Hosakere!!!


We were totally exhausted by the time we reached this place. Now all we had to do was wait for a bus. The bus did come at 05.45 pm and we got on it ending a scary but a very beautiful trek to Ombattu Gudda. Thus the mystery of the Ombattu Gudda was unveiled. We reached Mudigere in an hour and from there we caught a bus back to Bangalore. This was it, this was the end to a wonderful weekend and I owe it all to the company I had. Hoping to do many more treks with these guys!!!!

Here are a couple of screenshots from Wikimaps and google maps so as to give you guys an idea on where we trekked,



I know this has been a very long travelogue and I have taken quite some time to finish it, but thank you all for taking the time off to read this. Thanks a lot for the comments and ratings guys!!!

PS: By the time I finished this travelogue, Jeevesh and Vivek have got married (to their respective spouses of course), so Congratulations again guys!!!

[optimystic01]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

efore I start of the travelogue, I should really thank the (would-be) spouses of these 2 guys. Only because of their permissions, could their (would-be) spouses come on the trek. So, A and S, if you are reading this, thanks a ton!!!!

your thanks has been conveyed

as always, great writing style.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by optimystic01

your thanks has been conveyed

as always, great writing style.

Thank you Jeev, btw, don't you think your acknowledgement has come a bit late

Hopefully, the Bandaje trek will happen this month as planned!!

[subs]

Hello Boss

Your previous travelogue was quite some time ago. I think its time to plan your next one soon. Have you done a travelogue to wayanad yet? Having been there 5 times already, I still cant get tired reading about wayanad.

Your travelogues are really impressive and like me, am sure, other BHPians are waiting for your next trip.

Subs

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by subs

Hello Boss

Your previous travelogue was quite some time ago. I think its time to plan your next one soon. Have you done a travelogue to wayanad yet? Having been there 5 times already, I still cant get tired reading about wayanad.

Your travelogues are really impressive and like me, am sure, other BHPians are waiting for your next trip.

Subs

Thank you for your support subs. I have done a short trek in Wayanad, to Chembra peak. This was a couple of years back though and I vaguely remember the details. I don't have the pics with me right now. Will post them when I find time.

One picture from that trek


We have got a trek lined up shortly and hopefully, we will go on as planned. And who knows, I might start a new Trekkalog just as I return

[subs]

Boss
I was reading the online version of Bangalore Mirror today and was awestruck about the group of students who went to this place and ended in tragedy for one of them. Hats off to you and co for having a safe journey and giving us this detailed travelogue. If only those group of students were members of Team-Bhp.

Cheers
Subs