When the mighty mountains call! - Nagalapuram, 28th & 29th January, 2017

What could you do but answer when the mighty mountains call and that’s exactly what we did.

Despite all the last minute changes in plan, unavailability of vans/carpooling, delay in public transportation, overwhelming tiredness of waiting and walking on the never-ending road, we, at last, took shelter in the shadows of our healer of minds, Nagalapuram.

A comfortably compact crew of 15 entered through the West of Nagala seeking not just solace but to have some crazy adventure they could relish for years.

Crossing a few pools filled with ‘tourists’ we reached the deeper pools which refused to change but remained pristine even after two hours of diving and splashing. Never knew even experienced swimmers would be confounded when they try on goggles suddenly and reach out to grab the rocks which are not within their arm’s reach.

While the non-swimmers or not-sure swimmers (my category until this point) get dipped on the other side of the pool.

Summoning all the courage (and pleading the expert swimmers to be ready to rescue a poor soul) I did the first diving (yes, with the chest hitting the water flat) and came out the other side saving the trouble for rescuers. Jumping in pools whose depth is not known has a strange effect on you that you’ll want to repeat it to make sure the first time wasn’t just luck.

After a couple of hours of fish therapy and meditative floating we dried ourselves only to get wet again by the pouring rain. Taking cover under a makeshift shelter we waited for the rain to stop which seems to have no mind to do so. Finally, deciding to take our chances against the slippery rocks we venture into the wild, sliding, slipping and still moving on.

All the slips and burning bruises were forgotten when we halted under the snow-white falls that washed all the pain away. A million firm kisses all over the injured body and soul by them, the maiden drops. Sitting under the might of the crushing falls, sealing off the reality of the world, we meditate in peace amidst the turmoil.

In fear of rain and our night sleep’s ultimate ruin, we started the fire even before sun down though it took a good 30 minutes and the magical touch of Jack for the wet wood to catch fire and burn steadily.

The next day started off with a good, really good long walk for hours along dry streams, up the slopes with lose rocks and through the thorn bushes.

A good noon nap relaxed the tired feet before we started off again.

Reading the adventures of Frodo and the company of hobbits in the old forest while sitting in the middle of the forest makes you wish that the rest of your company keeps napping until you finish the whole of the first book of the Fellowship of the ring.

One by one they woke up and with a few more short halts and resting in between, we tramped on into the unknown, following trials and dry streams.

Happily, we finally halted near the ’Sliding Pool’.

Watching the expert swimmers sliding in the small falls and the hearing the sound of the splashes arouses a desire in you to try it too come what may.

And thus I overcame the fear of jumping from heights into the pools on unknown depth.
Overcoming the fear of heights and depth, I slid down the sliding pool and suddenly found myself surrounded by water from all sides. Unlike all other times, calmly I came to the top and slowly swam to the shore.

Would I, for life, forget the joy this simple feat gave me!

And to the ‘Magic pool’ we went to do a few more jumps from 10ft - 15ft.

Though Raj recommended a life jacket, wearing which I’d never have gotten over the fear of heights, I did a few (only two more, because we quickly packed up) jumps while others have already done more than 10.

Out, we came, after thoroughly enjoying all the craziness and walking quietly, relishing the new achievements unlocked.

Another wonderful trek came to an end with happy hearts and calm minds.

Thanks to Raj, Jack and the team for coming up with amazing options in a short time.

Nagala - The most generous host

If you don't lose and gain something, you've not lived the day even of an idle rock sitting at the bottom of a lake quietly gaining moss.

Only when you step outside your comfort zone will these changes be noticed.

A trek is where,

• you lose your fear to step outside your comfort zone
• you lose the mindset that your body could only take so much of pain
• you lose faith in the popular propaganda that your bed is only comfy zone
• you lose your shyness towards new people
• you lose your timidity towards unknown routes where you can't find 'auto-drivers' to guide you
• you lose your favourite track-pants and, um! also your dirty socks.

A trek is where,

• your body surprises you by staying strong even after being torn by the guiltless wild thorns
• you won't stop even when your knees scream in pain and heels are as squishy as bread
• you don't know why you chose to wander in the wild while you could have finished another season of 'Sherlock'
• you're one with your self and nature and roam around without worrying about how soiled your dress has got
• you don't have to pretend to be happy but really be at ease with your own personality
• you keep running and climbing for two days with a couple of apples and bits and pieces of burfee that gets passed around (the owner gets the first piece and the empty cover)
• and as a bonus, you earn your medals of valour marked by your own pure blood (not you, muggle-born!) and ruptured skin.

Attempting to enter the jungle through one route or the other, we've tried about five entrances where we climbed a bit and climbed down to climb a different way only to get down again and Peter pretended to not know the one entrance he'd have already decided. I believe(d) he was only getting the first-timers warmed up.

And then the trek began officially with a slow and steady climb for a pretty view of the lake, dam and fields.

In search of the waterfalls we started walking, well, not walking per se but a good mix of hopping, jumping, sliding, falling and crawling.

This time, we were shown mercy as we were led along the stream where we could stop anywhere any time to fill our biological pot and not carry much water in bottles adding more load to the shoulders.

Searching for the falls we ventured, to find exactly that. A small, steady waterfall that washed away all our sweat and stains.

Emptying a few packets of bread, pickles (bread with pickles, yes, seriously), apples, oranges, dates. We(Sundhar) don't bother washing them even if they fall on the ground but just pick 'em, lick 'em and snuck 'em into our hungry mouth.

Off we went again towards the campsite.

Following a champion(Arun) who was lost twice(and found his way even in the dark) on this very route on our previous treks, we went ahead of the group, a little sure that third time is a charm and so was it. We (16 out of 33) reached the campsite just a little late after the sun went down and darkness started to blanket the path ahead.

Reaching the 'Picnic pool' we settled down along the flat surfaces beside the stream listening quietly to the not-so-complex symphony of nature, the gentle swoooshing and mild lapping of water throughout the night.

With no source of fire, a group set to put to test all that 'Bear Grylls' taught. From using stones, rubbing wooden sticks, igniting the dry leaves with a spark from a torch battery (yes, after sacrificing a torch light) but to no avail.

While others who were not so optimistic chose to have a few fruits and lie down to rest, though secretly wishing somehow the others succeed and we get to have some hot maggi before calling it a day.

Lying down in the dark and witness the magical fireflies blinking a little closer and little farther is one good therapy to make you forget the hardships of the day.

And as it got darker, slowly they gathered overhead, the shiny little stars, going over their daily duty of forming the constellations. One cannot but swoon at the pretty sight.

We woke up to find, at last, the lighter has come and we could get to cook our food before the rest of the team arrive, with whom we were not ready to share our Maggi then, as they'd have had (and only they did have) their portion the previous night.

Finishing off the 'Knor-soupy-top-ramen-Maggi-noodles' and having a few dips in the magic pool to unwind ourselves, we started off again to find our way out.

Failing to realize that Peter is noticing, we went up and down all smiling and still walking briskly because of the energy regained over the night.

Saying, "Everyone is still smiling? Well, CTC's reputation is at stake now!", he decided to show us what a 'MODERATE' trek really could and should be.

Down we started to climb. Only that, there wasn't aan actual trial here and we hear only Peter's voice from below, urging us to proceed down the same route.

More punctures and scratches whenever we fail to duck while crossing thorn climbers.

After an hour of halting and donating a drops after drops of blood to the thirsty thorns we reached the stream when he suggested (luckily, not seriously) if we would like to do one more trip up and down the same route.

Following the dry stream we found the water point where filled our bottles, had lunch and onwards we went.

Reaching the final waterfall we(mostly non-swimmers) formed a human chain to pass our bags to the other end of the hip-level-pool and the swimmers did their last dives before bidding a good bye to the most generous host, the NAGALA.

Nagalapuram - Oct 1 & 2 - Moderate Trek - CTC

A write-up or whatever!

The Team

To be found, one must be first lost,

We’ll get to the campsite whatever be the cost.

Strength of the wolf is the strength of the pack,

Even desperation gives the strength you lack.

Hearken to them, the beat,

Of your heart, louder than the thunder that promises escape from heat.

Let them scream, let them curse

You will have days for your body to nurse.

The ecstasy that gives the view

The few who’ve reached there alone knew.

Worn out soles or broken toes

Forward our step always goes.

Envy them, the leaves that wither and fall 

from the mountains so very tall

For, only they have unheard tales for us all.

Knees may tremble out of fear

While sliding a slope the end of which you don’t see anywhere near.

Thank your feet, for, despite the pain, they bear you through every slope that rise

Though it is the eyes which always enjoy the views wondrous and nice,

What can one do but freeze,

When at the top one hears the music of the gentle breeze.

Heights and nights will always fail

To stop us wildly shaking our tail

We are still the untamed ape

Though the tails miss our present shape.

How we’d like to spend a day

Jumping and hopping all the way.

Wiping the sweat and blood off the punctured skin

We get ready for the adventures to this akin.

From the top

Up, up

Up

Travelogue 2 - The Nagala TREK (2 of 2)

(contd. from here)

Mesmerising, the sight was, on the other side of the slope. A pond with trees long dead, standing stiff and slanting with their twin reflections on the serene water.

'In the Jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight' was playing aloud in my head while we entered the real jungle.

Then we reached the first Pool (in fact that was the first and last pool for my trek). But, the trekkers on other adventure treks go beyond this and more.

Disappointed. And why?

Shouldn't the sight of a pool have excited me, for I'm from 'Chennai' who gets to see large water resources to be either salty or just due to poor maintenance of the drainage system.

I'll tell you why I the disappointment was.

It had rained the previous night and the pond water was thoroughly disturbed. The water in itself was too dark and dusty.

Having seen the photographs of the previous trekkers paying with the tiny fishes which comes and nibbles their feet this was definitely not the sight I expected.

Would you not be disappointed if you look at an iPhone in the ad and get a 'Grahambell' invented model telephone for the same price from the same showroom with same name. Deceived I was, not by the organizers (no, they're cool) but by nature.

Peter, Tilak and few other experienced trekkers and organisers discussed for a minute and started to unpack their backs, taking out all the balloons and inflated the tubes for the kids.

Even before I could think if they will find another better pool, everyone was in the pool. Yes, the very same, dirty, stirred, black pond to have the best times of their lives.

Watching everyone so excited and splashing the water over each other, laughing out loud, shouting and screaming while escaping from the ones trying to splash water on them, I, with regret threw myself in the pond like everyone else.

I was floating with the help of the tubes (though I could swim like a rock, I didn't want to show off my swimming skills) which were originally meant for kids.

I realised, water is more like a bunch of good friends. When we are surrounded by them, we find ourselves being happy for no reason at all.

Few came forward to teach me to swim but I was just floating with the help of the tubes and went on asking them, 'Am I swimming, now? okay, now? hey, how about now?'.

Well, at least they were able to bear the nuisance to an aspiring swimmer all well.

Enjoyed it.

Swimmers turned Divers:

Then the swimmers became divers. After failing in swimming, I wanted to try diving while a mighty hand of fear held my heart so firm that it wouldn't ebb as the my body hits the water.

Despite the warning from the experienced, I got ready for my first dive.

So, the fearless Penguin, with the Tube around it, climbed up the rock and stood third in a queue for its turn with a second thought of backing off.

Finally, My turn! My turn! My turn!

Before jumping though, I made a request to one in the pool to immediately look for me if he doesn't see my head on the surface within 10 seconds.

And then went the great jump (or the great fall as it should be professionally termed).

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

A few seconds on air and then a sudden thud I heard, as my ears were already filled with water and went a few inches deep into the pool. The pond on the other side, where the diving happens was deeper and thanks to the tube for I reached the surface while still alive.

In 2 minutes I was not to be found anywhere in the pond, for... 'hey! look over there, on top of the rock! there I was, again for my next fall.'

Fell/Jumped again and again and again and again and...

While other did somersault and more acrobatics I wanted to do a straight dive, you know, head first. I know the first time one wouldn't get it right and I was no exception, at least the damage was not severe.

Hit! Hurt! pained and suffered! but was fun.

Then again I went up the rock and would I try to dive again? No. Jump! Jump, you little froggy, keep jumping!

On the other side of the pond people sat under a very small stream which flowed like a mini fountain where the force was stronger.

Sitting under it was like visually seeing one's favourite Music flowing inside the body and their musical symbols floating around slowly loudly and softly. The force that crushes ones ego making him weak and fills him with peace and builds him up stronger than he was before.

It would be safe to just say that the peace and calmness experienced then was and will never (I hope against it, though) be experienced anywhere else and in anything else.

Humbled in front of the might of water.

When even the voice of one's own mind is not heard, BLISS, it was indeed!

***end***

Travelogue 2 - The Nagala TREK (1 of 2)

This, in fact, should have been the first travelogue.

Like many who want to feel the Adrenaline rush in their vein, I did, and that was probably the only reason for me to opt for a trek experience.

As recommended by a good fiend, I joined the Chennai Trekking Club (CTC) which is a large group of trekkers.

By nature, I'm a person who would desire to do a lot and end giving it up because of lack of information (or lack of interest in getting to know) to go forward. But, this was a different story. The details were too easy to obtain.

So, I went online; joined the CTC google groups.

I'm put up closer to Perambur, Chennai.

The available meeting points were,
1. Thiruvanmiyur at 5.30 am
2. Koyambedu (C.M.B.T) at 6.30 am
3. Periyar Nagar (near Perambur) at 7.30 am

Since 'CMBT' was the name familiar to me than 'Periyar Nagar' (though it's within 5 km), so I chose '5.30 am in CMBT'.

'FINALLY, for the first time, I'm really gonna go on a trek; climb the mountains; walk into the wilderness; plunge my blessed face into the cold water, preserved in the roots, flowing along.'

Excited I was, living it all in the dreamy land. The night didn't seem to move on. Excitement let me not to fall asleep.

Rose, I, with an excitement that hasn't spilled an ounce; packed and was ready by 4.30.

For everyone the trek started by 8.30 am. but for me it started by 4.30 am. right when I stepped out of the house.

I was perfectly ready for the trek in a Black T-Shirt, Army-Green Tracks and a Bloody Red cap to meet the team at CMBT. (try not to visualize - for your own safety!)

15 minutes past, no bus turned up. 30 minutes and an hour past, none.

It was 6 and I was sure even if I get a bus after that I would not reach the boarding point but hey said they could wait upto 6.45 which was still not a possible time for me to reach there. Regretted the decision of choosing to go on a trek. Cursed everyone who recommended me to take a bus at this time and called the coordinator.

I was adivised to join them in Periyar Nagar directly at 8 am for that is closer to Perambur. Took an auto to 'Agaram' which was just 10 mins away and from there I walked for 15 minutes to find a bank as mentioned by the Tilak (another coordinator).

"Stand in from of the bank, your back facing the bank. Now you will find the road split into three. One on the right and one ahead of you and the last on your left. Take the one towards the left", these were the directions given, like one instructs a 10 year old.

I kept walking and it was almost  7 when I saw a Black Scorpio pass me and a very good speed, followed by a few cars at regular gaps.

While I was thinking if this is a part of the 'Trek Team' one car stopped near me and a guy with spectacles and a Shorts with a mobile in his hand got out of the car asking if I was the one who kept on calling asking for directions.

With my identity confirmed as a nuisance caller they took me in and within 50 feet the cars came to a halt. The boarding point, that was.

A place which I could have reached in (10 minutes in auto + 15 minutes of walk) nearly 25 minutes for which I have spent (30 minutes walk to Perambur bus stand + 5 minutes walk to Railway station + the 25 minutes of actual travel and slightly over a whole hour of waiting) around 2 hours and 30 plus minutes.

Applauding (silently) my own self for my geographical knowledge, I joined the group.

Then the engines started with three to four kids in each car, we started from the HOME of those kids.

There were new places, narrow roads, little huts, smaller buildings, variety of flora and a lot.

A feeling was there! Peace! Happiness and joy!

After reaching the spot we climbed a slope with everyone assigned a kid to be taken care of. 'Roja' was the little girl, whom I had to take care of though out the trek. There was a group shot taken once everyone climbed the first slope. (probably for the 'Before and After trek' or whatever)

(contd. here)