Ulhas Valley_July 2012

THE ZENTLE ART OF WATERFALL TREKKING

KHANDALA: I don’t know where to begin writing about this incredible trek we went on this Sunday because I just can’t come out of it to tell you how goddamn exciting it was. But I have to tell you, if not to share my excitement, at least to make you jealous!! I am not kidding, I am confessing to you in the true Facebook spirit.

Okay, since I have to begin somewhere, let me begin at the start point behind Hotel Kamat near Khandala. This wonderful slice of paradise was the perfect setting for a monsoon trek – the dark clouds hovering in the sky, the gushing waterfalls running down the mountains to meet the river below, and the soothing-to-the-eye green acres of the Ulhas valley. That was the good part. Or rather the great part.

Now for the scary part. Before leaving, Sameer tells us that we would be plunging down a dangerous path to reach the Ulhas river. And trek all the way up. Great. Dangerous is a very mild word to describe the route. It was a horrendous descent with all the trappings of a journey into hell. First there were the knee-high stony rocks. Giving them a smooth finish all the way down was the running water. And the massive sidewalls of the rockface were coated with a layer of moss. It was the perfect recipe for disaster.

So, getting down was like walking in the midst of landmines. We didn’t know which part of the rock was slippery and which was safe. Every step had to be taken with a touch of Zen, every puddle of water carefully tested, and every obstacle gently manoeuvred without losing sight of the path ahead. We were in perfect awareness every step of the way. If you don’t know what Zen is, then this is it.

But the best part was climbing down a short pathless stretch using a rope while the gushing water lashed our faces. While Sameer and Pinak patiently tied the ropes and let us down one by one, some refused to come down, some struggled to hold on to the rope, but all of them eventually had a safe landing with a little bit of howling you-can-do-it kind of encouragement from some of us.

And once we reached the valley after making ‘Are we there yet?’ a mantra, we had our just desserts – the pooled waters of a torrential waterfall. All of us who were desperately waiting to unwind our stressful souls jumped into the pool as the fiery waters pounded it with a mighty force. It was the perfect catharsis. We yelled, we howled, we danced, and we made merry.

After an hour and lunch we started on our return trek on the dangerous pathway once again. If the knees went ‘click’ every time we landed our foot while climbing down, our ankles and spine went crackling as we hauled ourselves up. But who cares? We had the time of our lives. And the miserable moments turned into magical ecstasy once we reached the top.

Before you say ‘Good Golly, is this your idea of having fun?’ let me tell you there is no more greater joy than going through pain and suffering and coming out unscathed. Don’t believe me? Try it out the next time and you will understand the ecstasy of agony, and you will love every moment of it. If you can't, then you are a gone case. Seriously.

Thank you Sameer for choosing such a lovely spot, and also for constantly running around the slippery route to ensure that everyone was around and all was well. And Pinak and Mandar, we owe a big thank you to you too for leading us patiently. Let us give the three guys a big round of applause. Hip Hip Hooray. Hip Hip Hooray. Hip Hip Hooray.

Written By: N Venugopal Rao