An affair to remember

It was one of those trips that you remember for various reasons, some you want to tell all your friends and family about and some that you'll cherish forever without telling a whole lot of people. Lots of fun, time with my sweetheart, catching up with old friends, togetherness, adventure, elements of (comic) horror and time to unwind (Thank heavens!). Each trip has a "major"; this time it was the trek to Skandagiri Hills- Kalwarhallibetta. Dedicating this post to the trek- other parts of the trip will be grist for the mill for future posts.

Kalwarhallibetta is a three hour trek through the night over rocky, muddy, slippery terrain to watch the Sun rise behind peaks in the distance. It was an adventure from the word 'Ready' (vis-a-vis 'Go')! We were informed that it was an "Amavas ki raat" and should therefore carry big flashlights in additition to the food and water. So S and I went shopping for torches, chocolates and water bottles to ensure that everyone had their own supplies. The cab arrived at 10:30 PM- it was to be a two hour drive to the base camp, but it took longer since we had a driver with the road sense of a blind Mule (yes, its a fitting epithet) and spent a merry half hour trying to figure out where the road to our destination was (we even crossed it once since Mr Mule didnt bother reading the road sign which was in Kannada). We were in a village with not a soul in sight till we crossed a hut with something in a blue and white scarf around its head, a blue blanket draped over its shoulders, standing immobile with a big stick for support. B and I told ourselves that it was an old lady with a fancy for playing "Statue" outside her hut at 2 AM. Eerily, after we lost our way for the second time, the radio sang, "Aaj ki raat hona hai jo, ho jaane do" till a gag order was passed by SM who'd been trying to catch some shut eye till then. God was probably on night duty because help was right next to a turning which led to Sai Baba's temple! A lady with a ready smile and glittering white teeth explained the route to our Mule. In the meantime, we had company- another car full of people who hadnt taken the correct turns- and we led them to the base camp.

We got ourselves a guide and started on the trek. It was uphill from the beginning; definitely not for greenhorns or someone who isnt in good shape. The narrow paths were not only steep but the dew made them slippery and treacherous, not to mention the complete absence of any form of illumination. However the cool breeze, the thousands of stars twinkling in the expanse above and the lights from habitation below made the climb worth the trouble. We were almost at the top when we heard the distinct sounds of someone slipping and falling- and falling through heavy foliage because of all the crushing/ crunching noises. The next thing we knew was that P wasnt in the single-file where he should have been and for a horrible few seconds, he didn't even answer our frantic calls. We finally saw him through a thick tangle of branches, thorns and leaves hanging on with his right hand some 6 feet below the edge. While two of us kept him company, speaking to him and keeping a steady beam in the dark night, the others rushed to another point in the path which got them closer to P. It wasnt good enough because the thorn bush was too thick, there was no support and the biggest of our worries, the ground was atleast 50 feet below the bush while P was hanging precariously with one hand. Our guide, who had been getting on our collective nerves till that point of time sprung into action like lightning. He got help, clambered over the edge, clawing into the wet mud for grip and thrashing through the thorn bush to reach P. Finally a thick blanket was secured to P's wrist and he was pulled up (one of his legs was stuck in some branches and took some kicking to dislodge) by the guide and S, with both being held firmly by others. It was out of sheer relief that all of us gave in to a bout of giggles.

I believe none of us actually comprehended how serious it could have been; P was a changed man- In diametric contrast to before the fall, he walked tall with firm long strides and a spring in his step and claimed to be enjoying the trek for the first time since we began our ascent. Did his life flash before his eyes with the shrubbery for a screen? Had he grasped the meaning of "carpe diem" in some indescribable manner? I didn't ask him; some things are meant to be kept to one's self. Whatever it was, it was incontrovertible yet intagible testimony to the existence of a Greater Being.

We reached the peak soon afterwards and found that it was uncomfortably cold even with warm clothing and cap-fulls (yes, honestly!) of sweet tea. There was a motley crowd atop the peak who'd either camped there all night or reached before us and the remnants of bonfires looked inviting. We munched on chocolates and biscuits and rubbed our hands together waiting for the Sun to make an appearance, which it did after half an hour. And it was breathtakingly beautiful. From a pinkish violet to marigold to brilliant golden hues, the transformation was fantastic. Once the Sun was a neat orb in the azure skies, we got moving again. Different path, different challenges, different sights but equally beautiful. The rolling white mist was being chased away by the rays of the morning sun and made for some lovely glimpses of the valley below. It was refreshing to walk through neck high weeds with the scent of dew, wet earth and wild mountain flowers. As we reached the base, a dog howled plaintively somewhere in the distance. Yes, we too were sad that the trek had come to an end.

PS: This trip I watched the movie which shares it's name with this post. Both S and I loved it! :-)

* BM, Thank you for the pretty thumbnail :-)