Canian Valley a.k.a. Khandala Valley Trek -- B - E - A - UTIFUL

Hi,I, Shridhar Purandare, am back with one more trekking and admiring journey for travelers i.e. Khandala Valley or Canian Valley trek.

Best thing is its very close to Pune and connected will with road and rail. It was just exploring for me as I was going in there for first time. I, Seedalya, Bonbon and Adishri left Pune by 7am to reach Lonavala by 9am. With heavy breakfast we were ready to enter Canian track.

There was no place to put our helmets so we carried them with ourselves.

Now few things to know about Khandala Valley :

Popularly known as Khandal Dari or even Canian Track for some. This is the only place which is advised not to be visited in rainy season. The place is favorite of all trekkers. This place lies in between Rajmachi Point and Rajmachi fort. You come across Ulhas river in this valley. Easiest way to reach the bottom is to first reach the Kune point and then walk to the bottom.

Our group ... Very fine people with very fine attitude ...

View of the valley is awesome ... Isn't it??



The base of this waterfall was our aim !!!


We helped quite a few to descend down ... With helmets on our head we were looking quite funny ...

Closeup of the waterfall ... It was huge .. and Challenging us ..


Cloudy weather is very good for treks .. less dehydration .. so less water to carry ....

At some points it was tough and slippery ...
Finally we were there at the base .. It was only river crossing left to reach our destination.
These guys from Hadapsar crossed it by help of Human chain ...
I tried too !! but reached half of distance ... Nobody of us was ready to give it a try ...


So after chilling I came back .. Hoping to cross it next time ..

As always you can contact me for queries and information. Comments/Suggestions are expected. :)

Regards
Shridhar Purandare

Bhimashankar Trek via Shidichi Vat

Hi All Trekkers,


I was planning for Bhimashankar Trek via Shidichi Vat trek since long but was never successful until 18th of July when finally it came true for me.


Bhimashankar Temple is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune, in India. It is located 110 km away from Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the Bhima river, which flows south east and merges with theKrishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Parli, Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar. Regular pilgrims near Mumbai visit Bhimashankar from Karjat via Khandas. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary located here is a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune.

I and Rajiv planned for this trek on Saturday 17th July. Abhijeet joined us later. Rajiv came to Karjat from Nerul while I and Abhi took Sinhagad Express to reach Karjat by 8.15am on 18th July.

We reached Kashela by MSRTC and Khandas by a six converted to unlimited sitter. Half of mine and Rajiv's body was hanging outside for that 12km journey.  

We planned to go by Shidichi vat but all villagers and trekkers around fooled us by saying it is dangerous and could not be completed in Rainy season. We thought to give a chance. We found one group from Pune who knew this route and followed them as guide was charging too much.

Apparently group leader was confused about the way and started   asking every villager in the way. So we took decision making in hour hand and took help of one villager and headed towards destination.

Abhi and Rajiv were little conscious about us finding wrong way. But I was confident about finding correct way due to previous experience. One more time villagers threated us about the risky way but still we continued.

We met two people on the way who knew the route exactly so now we were relaxed. As we progressed , we found that it is the steepest way to top. We did find first Shidi after half an hours trek. Fortunately it was new and was replaced recently.

Few tricky rock patches and two more Shidi's took us to top and we realized that we just covered half way. :( Now the other route to top i.e Ganapati ghat also joined our route and number of trekkers increased a lot.

We took breakfast break and then continued towards new discovered top. Due to lack of stamina I was slowest while Abhi was very fast ( We knew afterwards that he was chasing someone ;) ). Within 4 hours we reached the Bhimashankar temple. 

We ate lunch(Misal,Bhaji and Tea),took Kalas darshan, bought some Prasad and boarded return bus by 3pm. MSRTC safely( only Abhi got some ST prasad on hsi right ear) dropped us at Shivajinagar.

After all this hectic trek I saw Khidakya play in Sudarshan Rangmanch from 7-9 pm and the went to Relatives home for rest. Hot water bath was never felt that beautiful :).

Hope you liked our journey. Now enjoy the pictures.

Regards

Shridhar Purandare

Trekking with Safety makes adventure real fun

Trekking has become an integral part of urban life today. Trekking is an adventure of sorts, where you pitch your stamina and endurance against nature. People from the cities often travel to remote locations to trek and explore new areas. Most of India's major cities have rocky terrain around them. And nowadays, even schools take children out on treks to nearby locations.

My heart feels low when I hear death news of trekkers around the Sahyadri. They die off Tikona.. They die off Torna .. They die off Vasota.. Its really unfortunate to die while clicking picture on the edge of fort wall. Its sad to die due to lack of information about the weather,path,depth of valley and trekking techniques.

All this is inspiring to me to write this blog about trekking safety and precautions. I have searched whole lot of online media available for trekking to compile this article. many trekking articles, blogs and sites has helped me to put this list about trekking safety .If following or reading my blog saves one life then it will be happiest moment in my life.

I am trekking since last 3 years and have worked in company of very experienced trekkers. As a professional trekker now and a InVenturer I will be covering every aspect of trekking that I know. Feel free to add yours by commenting the blog.

1. Know where you are going with help of maps,google,blogs,wikipedia or friends who have already visited.

2. Always travel in numbers which will reduce chances of any major accident. It will improve chances of rescue.

3. If you are traveling alone prepare yourself well with maps,water,energy bars,medic and a lot more things.

4. Start trek early in the morning which will reduce water requirements and weight to carry.

5. Take only those things that you need.

6. One of my friend taught me how to pack sack. Fold your cloths as you fold your sleeping bag and then put them into your sack. When your sack is filled put it on floor and check whether it fells.If it fells down then fill it again.

7. Less the weight you carry more you are comfortable and more you will enjoy the trek.

8. If possible always take locals with you for help in direction,carrying extra luggage,preparing food and lot more.

9. Locals do have exact knowledge of the area,geographic diversities,water sources.

10. Don't try be over smart and over daring on the edges of the forts.

11. These forts are centuries old, we can not predict its strength at edges.

12. Always wear full trousers and full shirt. It will reduce chances of snake bite, bees attack and other jungle threats. It will also reduce sunburn.

13. Always carry first aid kit.

14. Choose your shoes wisely. Good grip and light weight is good combination.

15. In Sahyadri most time BSNL gives good coverage. I know two such accidents where the trekkers called police after the accident and were saved. So I personally think that you should have one BSNL card.

16. If you are going out in forest area in Monsoon or just after it then beware of leeches.

17. If you are trekking in forest reserve then before sleeping do make fire which will last for whole night besides you. It will keep most of the creatures away.

18. While swimming in the water tanks on the fort be very careful. Make sure that everybody knows that you are swimming. Try not to swim deep in the tank. Just swim on the shore.

19. There is lots of information available online on how to fix the rope, how to give belay,how to make body harness from rope, how to tie different knots and much more. Do go through all or most of it.

20. Don't walk alone. Accidents do happen even to experienced and strong people. Be sure that if one happens to you, that someone is with you to immediately get help. If you are leaving your companions, even briefly make sure they no where you are going and someone waits for you to return...this includes going off in the forest for a call of nature.

21. If you are part of a trekking group, make sure that the Guide or Group Leader knows your plan and ask that a Porter accompanies you. Listen to advice. Ask about the trail ahead. Don't go, if the Guide or Group Leader tells you it is not safe to do so.

22. Always have at least a light jacket and some small snacks in your pack. The jacket is helpful when you stop for a rest as you will cool down quickly. An "emergency blanket", the lightweight, foil reflective type would have been very useful in making a shelter to reflect heat from the fire or simply wrap around her body.

23. If you are part of a group and feel that you must have some personal space and private time on the trail...make sure that you do not go ahead of the leader.... and know who is at the back of the group (support staff member) and make sure you do not get behind that person. If your Guide or Group Leader does not suggest this type of an arrangement....ask them. Everyone in the group should be aware of the guidelines (safety rules) recommended for the group's management. Don't perceive these guidelines to be limiting your personal freedom....they are for your safety and the safety of other group members.

24. Remember when one person fails to be guided by safety standards, they put others at risk who are part of the search and rescue team.

25. Always carry pocket knife , matchbox,water-purification tablets,torch and a compass for all your treks. You may never know when you will need it.

26. Always take near by police station and ambulance numbers.

27. When trekking, always watch where you are placing your feet. This will minimize the chance of stepping on a loose rock and spraining an ankle or stepping on a snake that's too lazy to get out of your way - It happens!

28.Many people are unaware that snakes are actually deaf. They can tell that something is coming their way by the amount of vibration that they feel through the ground. If you are in an area where you think that snakes might be active, do them the courtesy of letting them know you're coming by walking a little heavier. Just as a safety precaution a snakebite bandage should be carried in a pocket for quick access. You know what they say about Murphy's Law - The day you haven't got it is the day that you'll need it.

29. Think of your body as a kind of a vehicle. You will need to tune it, modify it, and fit it out with aftermarket accessories to suit off road conditions.

30. Choose a walking pace that you feel you could comfortably keep to for an hour. Try to keep to the same pace and try not to vary your speed unless absolutely necessary. Remember it's not a race.

31. Try to synchronize your breathing. Breath in for two steps, breath out for two steps and so on. If this method works for you it will take you a lot further and use less energy. Your body will function a lot more efficiently.

32. Aim for regular rest breaks. A good rule of thumb is one ten minute break at the end of every one hour of trekking. If you are in a rhythm and are reasonably fit this should be ample.

33. Never underestimate the power of nature. There is a fine line between a friendly stream and a deadly torrent. This subject could be covered in great depth and eventually we'll provide a more comprehensive version, but for the time being here are a few points to keep in mind: Decide where you are going to cross based on your view from a vantage point or by consulting your topographic map.

The widest part of a river can often be the safest because this is where it is often shallowest and slowest.

If you find a dry crossing beware of slippery moss covered rocks and logs.

Don't underestimate distance if you have to jump.

Undo the harness of your pack to enable a quick escape if you fall in.

If you have to wade across, try to face upstream as it will be much easier to keep balance.

Use a strong stick or trekking pole to keep balance while crossing.

It is usually better to keep your boots on. Crossing a river barefoot over slippery submerged rocks can be both dangerous and EXTREMELY painful.

34.Trekking - Gear check list

The following is an extended checklist. It includes all the gear that you are likely to need. Of course if you were to carry it all your pack would probably weigh a lot more than you would prefer. The idea is to select from the list the items that you are most likely to need and leave the rest at home. This list signifies the importance of having compact, lightweight gear. The lighter and more compact your equipment, the more you are able to carry and consequently, the better prepared you will be to handle any given situation. This is particularly important if you plan to do multi-day solo treks.

Experience is always the best teacher. Eventually you will refine the list below to suit your own individual system.

NOTE: Items that are marked with * may be considered optional if alternative equipment/methods are being used or only required in specific situations such as cold climates etc. The equipment list below is a guide only and commonsense should prevail when packing for a specific outdoor adventure.

Personal clothing

* Hiking boots
* Hiking socks
* Trekking pole/s *
* Underwear
* Hiking pants
* T-shirt with wicking qualities
* Fleece Sweater
* Wind stopper jacket
* Gore-Tex pants & jacket
* Hat
* Shorts *
* Gaiters *
* Fleece pants *
* Vest *
* Beanie *
* Gloves*
* Thermals: Top, pants, gloves, socks, balaclava *

Personal gear

* Rucksack/backpack
* Weatherproof pack cover
* Tent - can be shared
* Sleeping mat
* Ground sheet/footprint
* Sleeping bag
* Sleeping bag liner *
* Inflatable pillow *
* Mug
* Knife, fork, spoon
* Food
* Bag for rubbish
* First aid kit
* Swiss army knife
* Head torch
* Spare batteries & globes
* Water bottles - 4X 1ltr
* Sunglasses
* Sunblock SPF 30+
* Insect repellent - tropical strength
* Sewing repair kit
* Toothpaste & toothbrush
* Toilet paper
* Toilet trowel
* Water purification tablets *
* Trek towel *
* Camera & accessories *

Group gear

* Fuel stove & service kit
* Fuel
* Matches in waterproof container
* Cook set incl. pots, bowls & plates
* Tea towel/s
* Topographical map/s
* Compass
* Track notes/guide book
* Waterproof map case
* GPS *
* Mobile phone *

35. Building a fire in the wrong place will not only destroy the surrounding plants, it will also destroy the living organisms and microbes that live in the soil beneath, rendering that patch of soil useless for supporting plant life for a long time afterward. In addition, the natural beauty of the area is also scared. A good place to set a camp fire is on sand or gravel. This will have minimal environmental impact and when you've finished with it and the fire is completely extinguished simply scatter the ashes and cover the site with the existing sand or gravel. There will be little if any evidence that you were even there. A flat rocky area also makes for a good fire place but cover the rock with sand or gravel first. When you are finished, simply tidy up what's left and wash the area down with water to remove any unsightly evidence that someone was there.

36.Toilet facilities

This can be one of the most daunting activities to the first time trekker/bush camper. In fact it is responsible for preventing many would-be trekkers from taking up the sport in the first place. Some people just can't cope with the thought of 'squatting in the bush'. In all honesty though, it's no big deal and is a requirement of nature that the human mind soon becomes very comfortable with. You would be surprised just how quickly you adapt. It is sad that many people refrain from entering an activity like trekking because of this requirement of nature. As this is an area that some newcomers can find embarrassing to talk about we are more than happy to answer any 'anonymous'

Research seems to indicate that many newcomers are concerned about losing balance while making a contribution. If you have concerns in this department try choosing a site with a small tree close enough to use as a 'hand rail'.

On a more serious note, disposing of your contribution must be carried out in the correct manner. Using a small trowel, pre dig a hole about 15 to 20 cm deep. If there are no fire bans in place any toilet paper should be burnt and the hole filled in. Calls of nature should be answered well away from walking tracks and at least 100 meters away from water courses to prevent contamination.

37.What your carry in must be carried out. Take all rubbish what you make with you to your home. Do not spoil nature.

38.How to choose a good, safe camp site

Each year campers and trekkers around the globe are injured or worse due to inexperienced decisions regarding camp sites. There are a number of things to look for in a possible site that will help ensure that you have a safe and comfortable stay.

Drainage

If you were to get a downpour overnight does the site have sufficient runoff?

River banks

If camping near a river are you situated high enough to account for a sudden rise in water level? Flooding in areas hundreds of kilometres away can cause sudden water level changes much further downstream.

Below cliffs

If camping below cliffs ensure that there is an overhang that will deflect any falling rocks.

Among trees

Camping under trees can be particularly dangerous. News articles have in the past published headlines like "Freak accident - camper killed by falling tree while sleeping" Sadly these are rarely 'freak accidents' but are more likely to be 'accidents waiting to happen'. Inexperienced outdoors enthusiasts often make the mistake of forgetting to look up before pitching. If there is any chance of a tree or tree branch falling on your tent move somewhere else. You are not in a good, safe camp site especially if it's windy

Open exposed areas

These are not ideal campsites due to the possibility of high winds but if you need to camp in such a place ensure that your tent is securely guyed down. There is nothing worse that having to crawl out of a warm, comfortable sleeping bag in the middle of the night to secure your tent.

Getting acquainted with the locals

Before setting up camp it pays to have a good look around to see if any 'locals' have already claimed the spot. Wasps, mosquitoes, leaches, bull ants are among the many species that can make your stay a miserable one. Before getting too comfortable it might be a good idea to boil the billy and observe the prospective site over a mug of brew. A more suitable site may be just a short distance away.

Coastal camp sites

At the risk of stating the obvious, when camping by the ocean be sure to camp above the high tide mark. You would be amazed at how often this is overlooked.

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it" (Viktor Frankel)

For any queries and suggestion feel free to contact me.

Regards
Shridhar Purandare

Gorakhgad Trek

Hi,I, Shridhar Purandare, am back with one more trekking destination for travelers i.e. Gorakhgad trek.

We planned it as a night trek. So that difficult steps and valley around them will not make others afraid.

Some information about Gorakhgad At a Glance

Trek	Gorakhgad
Type	Hill Fort
District	Thane
Height above mean sea level	2140 feet
Base Village	Dehari
Minimum Duration	1 Day
Region	Malshej
Time to reach the top	About 2 hours from the base
Water Availability	Water cistern are available at the top
Best season to visit	Any Time
Sights to visit	Caves & Temple
Difficulty Rating	Simple
Shelter	Caves at the top

We started our journey by 10pm ... Full time pass in the bus with all enthusiastic singers and dancers !!! We met Mumbai group at Dehari .. Few of them left behind to guide us ..

We started the trek around 2am from Dehari .... A girl gave away her will power after 20 mins walk .. Somehow we convinced her to come with us to top ..The tricky steps way came up and slowed us down .. I and Dhawal were leading way checking difficulty for different patches ...

Finally by 5am we reached caves and everybody Hushhedddd !!!!

Wee hours provided us beautiful views throughout the trek

As most people preferred to rest in the cave .. Few of us started to cruise to top of Gorakhgad ... The path is again tricky with one rock patch ...

Finally we were on top ... It always provides me joy of accomplishment ....We also tried few weird things with VJ ... Haha That was funny !!!

Descending was as tricky as climbing ... But we did it successfully with utmost care...It was time for group photo ... Some brilliant and cute memories will stick to this photo...

Next day we started descending after doing some easy rappelling in front of the caves ... The way and the deep valley was very clear now ... So everybody was very cautious ...

Finally it was time to look back at our achievement ... Mission accomplished .. !!!

As always you can contact me for queries and information. Comments/Suggestions are expected. :)

Regards
Shridhar Purandare

Rajgad fort to Torna fort -- An Awe-Inspiring Chronicle

Hi,

I, Shridhar Purandare, am back with one more trekking and admiring journey for travelers i.e. Rajgad to Torna trek. My brother Aditya joined me for this trek. When we completed Rajgad descend to Pali road he quit as it was getting tougher. Then it was time to show trekking experience as I alone had to complete it. Most exciting thing was I was doing this trek for first time and I was alone with a dog who followed us from Rajgad. But that's made this trek special for me. Patience, Endurance, Toughness and Courage was tested on each curve and rock patch.


History about Rajgad :

This fort is built on the hill called "Murumb Devacha Dongar" Rajgad boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on any fort.
This fort has witnessed lots of historic events, including the birth of Rajaram Chhatrapati, the death of Shivaji's Queen Saibai, the return of Shivaji from Agra, the antyayatra of Tanaji Malusare to his Konkan village, the burial of Afzal Khan's head in the Mahadarwaja walls of Ballekilla, the strict words of Sonopant Dabir to Shivaji, and the Khandoji Khopade episode. The diameter of the fort at the base is 40 km making it difficult for anybody to lay siege to it.
Source(wikipedia)
History about Torna Fort:

This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.
In 1643, Shivaji, son of a local jagirdar with royal ambitions, captured this fort at the age of sixteen, thus making it one of the first forts in what would become the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort Prachandagad, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.
In the 1700s, the Mughal empire gained control of this fort after assassination of Shivaji's son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib (Language unknown: Divine victory), in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Trek details:
Days: 2
Start and end point: Swargate
Start time: Sunday 20th Sept 6.30am
End time : Monday 21st Sept 7pm
Route: Pune -(ST) - Gunjavane - (chor Darwaja) - Rajgad -(Sanjivani machi and Alu darwaja)- ( Budhala MAchi) - Torna - (Zunjar machi ) - Velhe - (Any transport) - Pune
Money spent: Rs 300 per head (includes everything)
Food: Hotels at Gunjavane deliver food on Rajgad and Hotels are there at Torna base i.e Velhe
Difficulty level: Tough and Tiring
Best season: Sept -Oct
Things taken: 1 liter water, Sleeping bag, extra clothing, 1 lunch, Fort and region maps
Team members: Shridhar Purandare (completed full trek), Aditya Joshi ( completed Rajgad)

Accommodation: Bring your own tent or sleeping bag. Temple on Rajgad available for 20 people.

Food: Available at base of rajgad and torna. Nothing on the fort. 

How to reach: Bus from swargate to base of Rajgad and Torna.

Tips after completing this trek: Carry at least 3 liters of water per head, Medical kit is compulsory, BSNL phone for emergency, Don't go alone until and unless you are experienced trekker, Leave as early as possible because Sun shine will make it tougher for you, in the late noon it rains heavily so reach at destination or cover as much distance as you can before 3-4pm, if you have acrophobia do not do this trek, avoid traverses of hills on Rajgad -Torna route at the budhala machi end
From here on you will get stunned by the beauty of Sahyadri.

Rajgad view from Gunajavane road. Right to left peaks are Balekilla, Duba, Chilkhati Buruj, Suvela Machi. We reached Gunjavane by 8.30am and started trek by 9.20 am. We also told hotel owner to bring our dinner on the fort. Menu was simple ( Pithale, Bhakari, Kanda ani Thecha).

Mother nature will mesmerise you time and again on this journey. So do not hesitate to say "Wow !!!!" "Aai Shappath!!!" "Ek number !!!" "Lai bhari lai best !!!" "Fantastic !!!" " Nadkhula !!"


We climbed up 30 percent and Sun light slowed us down a bit. From this point real climb starts.


Climb to Chor darwaja is easy if you know how to take support of rocks and railings.


We reached Rajgad top by 11pm. This door belongs to Padmavati machi. Wind on the top cooled us down.


First to do was to chill in the cold water on the top. Swimming in natural pools is my favorite hobby. It re-energised me to cover up Suvela Machi and Balekilla. There is temple and tomb of Saibai on Padmvati machi. Ample space for residence is available.

Finest swimming pool on earth !! On 4,200 ft !!

When we were moving towards Suvela machi clouds started poring water. Which made road bit slippery. But rain changed our mood completely.

Clouds moved away and we were able to grab complete view of Suvela machi. Bhatghar dam can also be seen from here.

We were transfixed by the scenery around it.

We slowly climbed to nedhe (natural hole inside mountain). It provides finest scenery around. In clear weather you can see Sinhgad, Purandar fort, Rayreshwar pathar, Bhatgahr dam easily. We were able to spot them too.

Monsoon clouds kept making sure that our eyes were busy watching nature play.

Views of Rajgad from end of Suvela machi are marvelous. Covering every single Machi on these forts is very important or else you will miss true beauty of fort.

After Sevela Machi we climbed Balekilla in half an hour. There was cluud cover on whole fort so we were not able to gaze beauty from the top. Fortunately clouds disappeared in few minutes and we got never seen before views of all the surrounding.

Suvela Machi

Sanjivani Machi and Alu Darwaja

Bale killa Top

Duba and Bhatghar dam backwater

Tired and Outwore we took an hours rest from 5pm to 6pm. Our dinner arrived by 6pm.We pounced on the food asap. We gazed around and enjoyed echos till 8.30pm and then went to bed.

Next day without wasting time we moved towards Sanjivani machi. You can see complete route to Rajgad. This is complete small hill range called connecting these two forts. You can see Torna at the end.

Below Sanjivani machi through Alu darwaja.

Reviewing our accomplishments and thanking those who built this miracle.

King of Forts Rajgad

Pointing to infinity. The peak at the end is Budhala machi i.e. our destination.

Pointing to Sanjivani machi.

Crossing one more hill ... You can spot the doggy behind Aditya ..!!! He was too faithful .. Followed me till Velhe ... !!!

This is where Pali road turns up. This is just 25 percent of route as we descend down from Rajgad. I and Aditya parted our ways. I continued to march down to Torna while he continued along the road.

On the way to Torna there are few homes of localites. You can have stay and food over there.

Path was difficult at some places and impossible at few. But difficult was easy for me and impossible took little time.

I could stare the my itinerary all the way from Rajgad.

Finally at the base of Budhala machi. I was ready to give 100% but nature took 150% out of me. Only with help of my never give up attitude I was climed to top.

Even doggy was not able to believe what we achieved.

After strenous trek and difficult climbs it was time for most dangerous but beautiful walk of my life. All my trekking experience helped passing through it.

I passed Konkan darwaja reviewing awesome beauty behind.

There is small shed where you can get lime juice. Water tank with drinkable water is also there.

By now I was almost half dead due to 5 hours tough trek. Climate was hot and I was in desparate need of water. But when I saw Zunjarmachi which is recognised as most difficult to conquere I forgot baout everything else.

There were few youngsters who were willing to go to Machi but waiting for someone who can guide them. I told them its easy and I have done it many times. I just boosted there confidense.

We all moved towards Zunjarmachi. There are few rock patches which are risky. As few thousand feet valley is on other side. With extra precaution we covered it easily.

Views of Torna fort from Zhunjarmachi were awesome and I was proud to complete it sucessfully. Those youngsters were high in confidense now and on way back they led the route.

Zunjarmachi

I will always remember the moment and that group who accompanied me.

I relaxed a bit .. enjoying and reviewing fantastic job done. Its pretty difficult to cover both forts in 36 hours covering all points ;). I celebrated with 3 glasses of lime juice.

On the descend of Torna towards Velhe village we can see amazing views. It was rained heavily just after I completed Zunjarmachi. So waether was pleasent but route became more difficult.

Prachandgad a.k.a. Torna fort

As I came close to Velhe it rained heavily. I literally carried 4-5 liters of water on my body for almost 1 km. With wet mind I arrrived at Torna vihar and ended my one of the best journey with tea and misal.



As always you can contact me for queries and information. Comments/Suggestions are expected. :)

Regards
Shridhar Purandare
shridhar.purandare@gmail.com