ADVENTURE TO KOHOJ

Hi Friends I am back. But this time I will not do any bakwas.

This is the about the trekking to Kohoj from 22nd to 23rd December 2007. We were a group of 6 people from my class. Bimlesh, Ravinder,Raghu, Sandeep, Swaroop and me. We meet at Virle Parle station at 7:45 to go to Dadar and from Dadar to Kalyan. We were late by about 30 minutes from our planned timing. We had our breakfast and then from Kalyan we took a bus to Waghota. We were supposed to go to Vada and from there take a bus to Waghota. But the bus we boarded was also going to Waghota so we got down at a place called Kinjar which was 2km from Waghota to have our lunch (Waghota is a village and you will not get food there.) After that we enquired from the localities about the way they said its better to take a guide. One of the person at the dhaba wanted to be the guide but we were not in the mood to hire any. We wanted to explore the place on our own. So Ravinder said “Tell us the way but we have been here before :) (this was the dialogue of the trip).” So we decided to move ahead. We asked the Auto to take us to Waghota for which he asked Rs 50 instead of Rs 30 ( Rs 5 X 6). So we decided to walk as it was only 2 km. Since it was very hot so after walking for 20 min we were little exhausted and started cursing Ravinder. We didn’t know the way so we had no idea where we were heading. We asked for lift to all the passing vehicles. Finally we were lucky ( rather unlucky) to get the lift from a truck. We saw Waghota passby but as we couldn’t see any one so we thought to keep moving. We got down about a 500 mts from Waghota and kept moving further away. We finally reached Center Point Dhaba where we asked for the way. They said the way is not clearly made so take a guide which we will get at the tea center about 200 mts from the place. So we kept moving and reached the Tea stall. The stall owner had gone to deliver the tea and his wife was there taking care of the shop. We decided to wait for him.Finally he arrived and after little persuasion he agreed to come with us but only for a little distance from where he would explain the way and we agreed.

So our real journey began at 4 pm. He said that we could reach the top by around 6:30 and they can stay there at night. He explained us the way. (He didn’t charge us anything and also insisted that we meet him and go next day when plan to return). He told us to take the “Gadi wala Rasta” (The way through which they use to take the cart. We were lucky to find it. But then it all happened. After following the track for around 30 min we lost the track. We could not see the path any further. So we took our own decision and started moving toward the peak. We kept ascending for around an hour and half to an inclination of more than 70°. Ravinder was against it but since other 5 were for it (think-tank) so he had to follow Bimlesh was ahead of us as we thought if Bimlesh could go ahead we all will be. So we decided to let Bimlesh move ahead and the rest follow. Bimlesh kept moving and we followed. After around an Hour and half we were moving toward more steeper climb Raghu asked Bimlesh to leave his luggage and go ahead. If he found the way we will move ahead. After 20 min when Bimlesh didn’t responded to our call We asked each other if anyone had network on his cell. Thanks to Idea we were able to call Bimlesh. He said that there is no point climbing up. We should descend. We were struck at a point where climbing up was difficult and descending seemed tougher and it was also getting darker. Meanwhile Swaroop tried calling anyone whom he could reach so as to inform that in case needed send a rescue team. Finally we decided to send Sandy to help Bimu to come down. We all waited there holding the ground on all fours. We learnt a lot of management lesson during these crucial time (team building, leadership skill, motivating other, decision making, group dynamic and many more. The entire HR classes were done in practical here). The problem was it was getting darker. Finally when Sandy and Bimlesh were audible we started descending. We crawled down and in next 45 min we reached a flat land. We could now rest for some time. Swaroop called up Ankit to tell that we were ok. Now we had to find our way out of the jungle. The moon was bright this atleast provided us some relief. But we were out of water so going out of jungle was a must.

We had lost the way which we took to reach to this place. So we decided to move toward the slope. We could hear the vehicle on the highway so now our goal was to move toward it The more we moved toward the slope more we moved toward the denser part of the forest. Finally we say a small lane we didn’t knew where it led us but we still took it. After following the path for two and half hour we were out. There was relief on everyone’s face. But we didn’t know which way to take on the highway.

After walking for 20 min we reached Waghota. We couldn’t see any one. Light in one house lit on hearing the bark of dog but as we approached it went off. So we decided to go into the village and ask for help. Few villager were sitting outside a house and chatting. We asked them for water. They offered us water and said that we sleep in the village itself but we wanted to have a campfire lit. So we made excuse. They then said that we can spend the night in the farm which we agreed. We filled in water and Bimlesh bought cold drink for us. Two villagers showed us the way. We thanked them and all of us put the mat and rested. We cheered for life and then we enjoyed. We slept at 1am. I got up at 7 but all were tired so we slept again. But the Farm owner had come by then so we got up. We freshened up. Sandy and Swaroop went to Kinjar to get Vada pav for breakfast and lunch. After having lunch Ravinder and I went to the village to return the empty cold drink bottle and get some water and also the guide (Sachin). Sachin was a local boy studing in class XI.

Then we begin our journey. The start looked easy but as we proceeded it got tougher. There was a beautiful lake at the starting. The water was cool and sooting. After 5 min rest we proceeded. At a point it became so tough that after every 10 min climb we took a rest for 5 min. This was because Raghu, Bimlesh and I were not well. After a point it became so tough that we had to leave our luggage behind the rock. We tied a handkerchief to locate the point on return journey. And we proceeded. We were at the flat land at 2 pm. But still the fort was around half an hour away. There was supposed to be water for washing but when we looked at it we thought it is better to keep moving. We reached to the second landing which we thought to be the top but no it was place where the drinking water was available. The water was cool. When Sachin told us that we need to go ahead we thought its impossible. We could not see the way but he said that it is easy. Some of us didn’t believe him. But in next 5 min he was on the top. Seeing him he were encouraged and finally decided to go ahead. The path was very narrow. Once I saw down I thought better don’t go. There was place to keep only 1 foot at a time so a slight miss and you are gone. But all were proceeding so I told myself just look ahead and move. Reaching to top was reaching the heaven. The beautiful sight of the valley, cool breeze, the stone structure at the top. It was all a marvelous beauty to watch.

The stone structure was amazing. After spending around half an hour we decided to descend. The descend was tougher because willingly or unwilling we had to look down. We crawled down and reached the place where the water was available. We had our lunch and after 20 min we proceeded our descend. On the next flat land which was as big as a cricket ground we explored a bit and saw the nearby valley from the top. It took us around an hour and half to reach then came down to the lake and freshened up there. The water was a relief after the trek. We thanked our guide Sachin for being patient as well as encouraging throughout the tour. Then we took a truck which dropped us till the Mumbai Ahmadabad highway. We had our dinner in a hotel there and then boarded the asked the truck which was going to Mumbai to drop us till Vile Parle. At 11 pm we were in Vile Parle.

This trek will be memorable to all 6 of us for the fun we had, for the lesson we learnt and for the courage we gained. We all are looking for another such adventure soon.

Please click on the link below to see the collection of photos of this trek.

http://picasaweb.google.com/meet.sumitjj/Kohoj