Rock climbing

Perfection · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:18 am Post subject: Mangi Tungi

Mangi Tungi (1329 m) : This is a very prominent twin pinnacled peak with a plateau in between. There are Jain temples under and around the pinnacles at the top. Dharmshalas and food is available at the base. The eastern pinnacle in Tungi and the western one is Mangi. The hill has regular steps to the temple. This is the first peak of the Sahyadri in the north.

Travel from Nashik - Satana - Taharabad - Selbari phata on the Pimpalner road. Mangi village is 6 km from the main road. On the hill opposite the base of Mangi, there is the famous dargah of Shah Daran Malik.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: Tambolya

Tambolya : Travel from Nashik - Satana - Taharabad - Selbari phata on the Pimpalner road. Mangi village is 6 km from the main road.From the Mangi village prodceed to Vadkhel and Patalwadi at the base. The climb is sharp.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:58 am Post subject: Salota

Salota : This is a shapely fort, adjoining Salher. From the common col with Salher, proceed to a diagonal rocky staircase in the centre (on the southern wall), leading to the top. Past the staircase the route traverses through caves and water ponds to the top. It has fascinating route to follow.

Travel from Nashik - Satana - Taharabad to reach the base village Vaghambe.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:59 am Post subject: Takara

Takara (1478 m) : Takara is a huge pinnacle south of Salher. Prominently visible from Salher - Salota, and the solid massif worth a try. A good climb leads to the top.

From Satana proceed via Vinchur, Sakora and Tatone to Watara at the base (bus available most of the way).

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:00 am Post subject: Koldher

Koldher (978 m) : Is in the Chandwad area near Manmad. It has a huge plateau with rock cut store houses and walls. The final square massif is difficult to climb. From the Kanchan - Manchan khind (Dhaode Bari, Devla bus stops here) follow the ridge in the east, going up to the upper plateau with a small hill called Binthi. The route leads to the base of final massif and caves.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:00 am Post subject: Hadbi chi Shendi pinnacle

Hadbi chi Shendi : This is a very prominent and curious looking projection about 5 km before Manmad. Walk from the station on the Daund railway line and turn off above 2 km towards village Katarwadi.

An easy scree scramble takes you to the base of the pinnacle. The 50 m high pinnacle is exposed and difficult to climb, over rather unsafe rocks. The shendi has been climbed few times and it has always been an exhilarating climb.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:01 am Post subject: Lingi

Lingi (540 m) : Kalyan to Atgaon by local train. Travel to Tansa lake by bus (13 km). A shapely peak in thickly forested area and it has a wonderful view of Tansa lake.

This is the last point on the ridge jutting out towards Tansa lake from the Mahuli massif. From Tansa dam site proceed through forest to gain its top via the north western (right) skyline ridge. Mahuli Chanderi fort is nearby.

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: Madangad

Madangad (1466 m) : This is a difficult fort to reach, recognised by a hole on the extreme right side on top. The top is above the hole and standing over there is an experience in itself. Steps leading to the fort are blown off, so one has to climb the steep rock face of 20 m.

From Igatpuri travel to Bhavli by bus. Trek to Kulangwadi and then to the col of Madangad - Alang. Reach a very narrow and exposed track at the bottom of the rock climbing wall. Someone good in rock climbing has to overcome this difficult and highly exposed section to fix a rope to make it safe for the party. A guide from the near by village is advised. There is a hole carved out in the rock at the top of the climb, which is good for fixing a rope.

Further ahead steps leads to the upper plateau having a huge cave and water tank. There is an excellent view of the neighbouring forts - Kulang and Alang. It is easier to descend by rappelling down. One must be experienced and careful whilst climbing this fort.

My guides & Kulang fort viewed from top of Madangad

Perfection · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Alang

Alang (1479 m) : Three fourth of the fort had to be traversed, at least 3 times at different levels to reach the top. A series of water cisterns arranged in semi circular fashion on the top is a unique sight.

From Igatpuri travel to Bhavli by bus. Trek to Kulangwadi and then to the col of Madangad - Alang. Descend on the left over rocky slabs to thick forest. A flat traverse enables one to reach almost to the end of the massif. A series of dry water ponds and a giant cracked rock is a marker to turn into a nala for the final climb. A track up the nala leads to small gully. After an easy rock climb supported by a bichki tree one enters the second level of the fort. Another long, flat and some times exposed traverse takes you to the extreme end, towards Madangad. A huge cave is situated here. Above the cave a long traverse gradually climbs to the top. The summit is peculiarly shaped with two small domes. Water cisterns and a small temple are situated at the base of the summit hump.

Perfection · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Fani Dongar

Fani Dongar (992 m) : This is a small triangular mountain with a 30 m high cobra like pojection on the top. Travel from Kasara (Kalyan) to Khodala (31km), to Devgaon phata (10 km) and to Nirgudpada (14 km) by bus or jeep. One can climb the near by interesting Harihar fort too.

Perfection · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:02 pm Post subject: Dangya

Dangya : This is a prominent pinnacle, which is clearly visible from the road. Get down at Wadhiware (On Igatpuri - Nashik road) an proceed to Dangya village on the left of the hill range. The 100 m pinnacle has a route from the west.

Perfection · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject: Shenit pinnacle

Shenit pinnacle (900 m) : This 60 m pinnacle stands at the saddle of Bitangad. With valleys on two sides it seems very isolated. It would be a very difficult rock climb from the east (facing Bitangad). From Igatpuri reach Warangushi and shenit village (13 km) by bus, the route passing at the foot of Phandhra all along. On the road from Shenit to Bitangi village, the isolated pinnacle comes in view after 6 km, as you reach the saddle. The rock is quite firm all along but there is also some scree. One can also approach it from Taked via Bitangi in the opposite direction.

Perfection · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: Avandh

Avandh (1319 m) : Avandh is a prominent huge rock massif, standing next to Patta fort. It has huge walls and a narrow summit. The steps to the top are blown off and, at many places, one has to resort to rock climbing. This peak was probably used as a watch tower. Avandh is best approached from Ninavi (Nashik to Girwadi by bus and trek to Ninavi). A track leads to the base of the rocky massif, from where the rock climb starts. At the top one discovers a small cave and a fantastic view of Patta fort.

Perfection · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:42 am Post subject: Ghodishep

Ghodishep (861 m) : It is a horse like projection from the ghats having a grand view of Napta. Travel to Malegaon phata by Samgamner bus from Igatpuri. Reach Kumshet village via Shirpunje by bus (26 km). From Kumshet village, cross Mula river to Ghodishep (5 km). The high point is Komda dongar and its west is Ghodishep, along the palteau.

Perfection · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:47 am Post subject: Bhairavgad

Bhairavgad (864 m) : It is a prominent and unique fort. Travel from Kalyan and get down before the Malshej ghat at Morroshi. Approach the base of the fort by following a cart road. A hut is at the upper plateau with a well. Climb to the rocky walls of the fort and reach a pass between Bhairavgad and the main Deccan range.

From here, steps leads to the top. The walls overhang a little, and above the steps are blown off. One has to climb carefully above the overhang. There are several crumbling steps and plenty of scree to be overcome before one reaches the top, which has a great view of Malshej ghat and near by hills. It is advisable to go well prepared for a rock climb.