Rock climbing

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Napta (1024 m) : Napta is a prominent rocky projection at the edge of the ghats and is visible from many places. It has nose like shape and is difficult to climb. Travel to Malegaon phata by Samgamner bus from Igatpuri. Reach Panchani village by bus. Cross a small depression to reach base of Napta via Pethachiwadi (5 km). Proceed to a col between two
peaks of Napta and traverse the southern edge of the main peak. It has about 40 m rock climb and very bad scree has to be crossed. Near the top you find another 20 m of bad scree. There is a great view from the long ridge, which is at the top.

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Machindragad : It is an isolated rock pinnacle with a connecting ridge to Gorakhgad (nearby fort with a cave and cisterns at the base. A rock staircase leads to the top). Travel from Kalyan or Karjat to Murbad by bus and then to Khopivali by jeep. Follow an easy route to the base of Gorakhgad.

Reach the Gorakhgad - Machindragad col and climb the ridge to top. The actual final climb is about 30 m. It has a rocky top and is rather difficult to climb. One must go prepared for a rock climb.

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Telbaila (1013 m) : Travel from Lonavla to Bhamburde and get down at a col for Telbaila by bus (30 km). Reach the base of the final rock wall by 3 km walk by following a road. The twin solid brown massif is comes into view. It offers a tough and interesting rock climbing route.

The upper reaches are exposed and full of scree, and overhang at one place. The overhang is difficult to climb but can be overcomed by borrowing an improvised ladder from the base village. From here one can climb down to the Pali side by Wazri pass to visit Sudhagad fort, Tanale caves and Karsamble caves.

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Lingana pinnacle (908 m) : It is an impressive looking mountain near Raigad fort, which is rather difficult to climb. It is advisable to climb with a guide and with climbing equipment. From Mahad travel to Pachad (base of Raigad fort) by bus. Climb down to Linganwadi at the east side.

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Moradi pinnacle : An interesting pinnacle detached from the ghats and is visible from the popular picnic spot - Lion's point, Lonavla. Travel by Lonavla - Pali bus and get down at Parali. Reach the base village Falyan by six seater. From the village take a Guide for the climb. Climb the ridge of the Moradi pinnacle to reach a rock wall (15 to 20 m high), which tests the trekker's talent. Then the route climbs steeply to the final rocky dome, which has the final 15 m steep rock climb. The summit is 5 m in radius with a flag pole. So go with a flag, let it flutter there eternally !. The to and fro trek takes 6 hour from Flayan village.

Those who are experienced in trekking can climb down from Lion's point to Falyan in any of the two main routes - Aatwan phata route or the Umber khind route.

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Moradi pinnacle Trek

Location : In Raigad District, Maharashtra. Phalyan, the base village is 50 km from Lonavla.

View Point : Lion's Point, 12 km from Lonavla on the Sahara (Ambavne) route. Lion's Point is a scenic place popular for scenic beauty and film shooting. The song 'I Love My India' was cinematised here. A tourist is attracted by the beauty of the valley deep below and a steep rising hill from the valley. The hill locally called Babita/Moradi has steep ridge in one
side and is pyramidal in shape. From Lonavla travel by Pali bus and getdown at Parali. From Parali one can reach Mangaon village by six seater (Vikram, Rs 7).

The road leads to Phalyan village, a 15 minute walk. From the village , a panoramic view of the hill pyramid is enchanting. A 1.5 hour trek takes to a rock climbing wall. With some idea of basic rock climbing one can climb the 20 m wall. Another 40 minute climb over a steep ridge take to the base of the final dome. After a steep rock climb of 15 m one can reach the top. The top of the Hill is 10 m in diameter with a flag pole.

At the top, it is a celebration time with dancing. The great appaluse of the crowd eagerly waiting at Lion's Point increase the joy and thrill.

After spending 10 to 15 minutes at the top one can return. One has to be very careful while descending as the route is of high gradient and slipping sand/rock. Climb down cautiously to the rock wall in 1.5 hour. Take your own time while descending. This is not a climbing competition, Don't be in a hurry. Climb down the rock wall of 20 m and a further comparetively easy trek of 1 hour to Phalyan village. To and fro trek takes 5 hour.

It will be a memorable experience for a life time. So try your chance and be get delighted by the area's beauty. Some tips for the trek - Carry water, camera and some packed food. Start early to avoid the hot sun and severe sweating. A guide from Phalyan village is essential for the first time trekker.

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My 50 th fort trek in Maharashtra

Location : India, Asia. Sahyadri hill range of Maharashtra.

I started trekking 6 years back at Lohagad fort near Lonavla. It was a long, enjoying, strenous trekking career. On 10 th June 2007, I was lucky to complete the 50 th trek of Ankai fort near Manamad.

Rock climb : Chanderi (Karjat, ***), Chandwad (Manmad), Haji Malang (Kalyan), Madangad (Igatpuri, ***), Moradi pinnacle (Lonavla, ***), Bhairi cave & pinnacle (Lonavla).

Trekker's delight : Gorakhgad (Mhasa, Karjat), Harihar (Igatpuri), Harishchandragad (Malsej,****), Jivdhan (Ghatghar, Junnar), Tung (Lonavla), Vasota (Bambanoli, Satara).

Must see forts : Daultabad (Aurangabad, ***), Janjira (Island fort, Murud, ***), Kulaba (Island fort, Alibaug), Lohagad (Lonavla), Raigad (Mahad, Konkan, ****) , Rajgad (Welhe, Pune) , Rajmachi (Lonavla), Ravdanda (Roha, ***), Shivneri (Junnar), Sinhgad (Pune), Vasai (Mumbai).

If I should bow my head let it be to a high mountain" - (Maori proverb)

My 51 fort trek list are :

1. Ajinkyatara (Satara)
2. Anjaneri (Trimbakeshwar, Nashik)
3. Ankai Tankai (Manmad)
4. Arnala (Island fort, Virar)
5. Bhairavgad (Malshej)
6. Chanderi (Karjat)
7. Chandwad (Manmad)
8. Chavand (Junnar)
9. Daultabad (Aurangabad)
10. Dhodap (Nashik)
11. Ghanchakkar (Bhandardara, Igatpuri)
12. Ghodbander (Mumbai)
13. Gorakhgad (Mhasa, Karjat)
14. Haji Malang (Kalyan)
15. Harihar (Igatpuri)
16. Harishchandragad (Malsej)
17. Induri (Talegaon, Lonavla)
18. Janjira (Island fort, Murud)
19. Jivdhan (Ghatghar, Junnar)
20. Jungli Jaigad (Koynanagar, Chiplun)
21. Kalsubai (highest peak in the Sahyadris, Igatpuri)
22. Kamalgad (Mahabaleshwar)
23. Karnala (Panvel)
24. Koregad (Lonavla)
25. Korlai (Roha)
26. Kothligad (Peth fort, Karjat)
27. Kulaba (Island fort, Alibaug)
28. Kulang (Igatpuri)
29. Lohagad (Lonavla)
30. Madangad (Igatpuri)
31. Mahuli (Igatpuri)
32. Moradi pinnacle (Lonavla)
33. Patta (Igatpuri)
34. Peb (Karjat)
35. Pratapgad (Mahabaleshwar)
36. Purnadar (Saswad, Pune)
37. Raigad (Mahad, Konkan)
38. Rajgad (Welhe, Pune)
39. Rajmachi, Bhairi cave & pinnacle (Lonavla)
40. Ravdanda (Roha)
41. Shaniwarwada (Pune)
42. Shivneri (Junnar)
43. Sinhgad (Pune)
44. Sudhagad (Pali, Lonavla)
45. Sarasgad (Pali, Lonavla)
46. Tikona (Lonavla)
47. Torna (Pune)
48. Tung (Lonavla)
49. Vasai (Mumbai)
50. Vasota (Bambanoli, Satara)
51. Visapur (Lonavla).

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Chandwad fort : Chandwad is 250 km from Mumbai after Nashik. Walk a little on NH3 towards ghat to climb the steps leading to Sree Chandreshwer Mahadevji temple on the ridge of Chandwad. Behind the temple one can see a water tank, mosque in ruins, some 9 tombs, 2 huge ponds and a Ganesh shrine. From the pond a route climbs to the higher plateau of the fort where a ruined building and a paltform is located. From the platform a track climbs to the rock climbing wall (on the extreme right of the fort visible from the temple side) where an iron ladder is placed.

An anchor is available 4 metre above the ladder to fix a rope to climb up. Fixed barbed wire will help experienced climbers to climb up and fix a rope for the inexperienced climbers. (Caution : My small finger got injured while trying to climb with the barbed wire, so take care). A knot on the rope will make the climb easy. Ensure the right way of fixing the rope at the anchor, as a fall from such a height can be fatal. Then a steep rock climb of about 6 metre with the barbed wire fixed leads to the fort. On top one can see 4 water tanks, ruins of building, view of Chandwad town and a nice view of the surrounding hills like Sade teen, Indrei Killa, Rajdher fort, Dhodap and Ikaria pinnacle.

Renuka Devi temple is at the base of the fort near NH3. Chandwad town has ancient buildings and Rajwadas (Gateways and fortified enclosure). There is a hill with a temple on top of the summit, which can be climbed from Chandwad. Rope is advised for the 15 metre rock climb on Chandwad fort. Climb : Moderate. To and fro trek takes 3.5 hour.

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Adrenaline burn

Haji Malang (800 m) - Travel to Malangad by bus from Kalyan (Rs 10, 1 hour). Trek to darga (tomb) of Haji Malang (2 hour, Rs 2 passenger tax). The route is having a number of shops for refreshments. The Malangad is visible to a long distance. Above the darga there are many opportunities for rock climbing . A thrilling climb takes you to top of the pinnacle via rope bridge.

Haji Malang is a popular pilgrim centre near Kalyan. Sundays will be crowded with public. From the back side of the Darga a route leads to Dadi Mam ki darga (10 km one way, 6 hour trek), Kamli Shah Darga (a small cave near the Haji Malang darga), Palki Bogda (a large hole in the main rocky ridge where people paste coins to get their wish fulfilled) and further at the end of the ridge is the Paanch Pir darga (5 saints tomb). From here a very exposed steep route climbs down to the road head. Experienced people can make a try with a walking stick.

The Urs (death anniversary of the saint) was celebrated on 21 Feb 2008. Darga serves free food to the poor. Near the darga one can stay in basic lodges. Few restaurants serves food too (Rs 35 for Rice plate). One can try jumbo paratha and Halwa at Rs 15 (250 g). Mutton and chicken are also available. The prices are little high due to the remote location.

Just before the darga, a route climbs to the base of the steep rock wall (Bala Ansar point, Rs 2). On left, there is a tea shop which sells biscuits and other food items. From there one can climb to the higher plateau via a steep rock cut staircase. A little fortification is on top (a gateway). From here one can have great views of Dadi Mam ki darga, Chanderi fort and the Haji Malang range and Darga. Traverse the left side of the rock wall to reach the rocky staircase.

The real adventure starts from here. The climb leads to a slanting pipe bridge (4 metre long), where one have to walk over it with the help of an overhead rope. One person is on duty (fee Rs 15) will help you to cross the rope bridge by hooking you with a safety rope. The narrow route further climbs to the top. Excellent views of the surrounding area including the pinnacle of Haji Malang. Take extra care while climbing down. The climb from the Haji Malang darga to top and back takes 3 hour.

A morning climb will be nice. Don't feed or tease the monkeys on the way. Carry water for drinking. Wear shoes/sandals having good grip. Avoid carrying items to free both hands. Don't hurry on the route. Warning : No misplaced steps, no excuses, defaulters will be punsihed with death !.

From Navdurga temple (an ancient Hindu temple with a deep well), one route goes to Vavanje village, which has bus connection to Panvel. The route is good and having cemented steps. To and fro trek takes 6 hour.

Location : Maharashtra, India. 70 km from Mumbai. Reach Kalyan by train/bus and travel to Malangad base by bus.