This was my first night trek. I was told, night treks are
always on a full-moon day. This trek was to a place called
Brahmagiri near Nandi hills. I have been trekking for the last 2
years. Even though I am not very regular, I enjoy these treks. Our trekking
leader was Mudassar Khan. Mudassar is the founder of this group.
With his long hair and goaty beard, he’s a handsome man in his thirties.
He plans his trekking very meticulously and everything works with clock
precision.. This trekking group is a non-profitable organisation, and
anyone who has good experience can be ‘leaders’. Each leader has a
style. I generally go to every trek arranged by
Mudassar. I have also been to trekking organized by other leaders.
Pallavi and Patrick are the other two. With Pallavi, I have been to the
toughest trek, a place called Kumara Parvata. Pallavi is a
wonderful lady. She’s very talkative, a very talented singer,
makes trekking a very humorous experience. When I first saw her , I
doubted whether she could finish the trek – with her frail body. She has
amazing stamina and treks regularly. She got married recently, Alas !
I couldnot attend her marriage. Patrick has a different style.
he’s a very fast paced trekker. Not knowing Kannada, which is essential
when we visit small places, he struggles. To keep to his style, he runs
and pushes everyone to be fast. Luckily for me, I went to a place called
Nijagal, which was easy. A group has normally 10 to 20 persons, all are
connected through google group. So much for introduction. Normally I am
the oldest man in any trek. Usually slow, but I am determined and
complete. I trek to check my stamina and mental condition. I
started enjoying this so much that I too am co-organizer now, and
lead their initiative for blood donation.
Back to this particular
trek now, This trek was only for one night. We took the 5:30 train from
Bangalore to Chikballapur. After we got down at Nandigram, it was jeep journey
for around 5 kms to reach base camp. There was a small hotel
where many bought food. I carried it, thanks to my wife. It
was already pretty dark. As usual, after customary introduction session,
Mudassar briefed about this trekking. He said it is classified as ‘Easy’
, It contains a small dense forest, grassland and then rocky
terrain. He told since it is night, everyone was to stay together.
First person has to use a torch and be careful about any
abnormalities. He also suggested to avoid using torch as much
as possible and enjoy natural moon light. It was around 9 in the
night, his estimation was that we would reach the peak by 1 in night. There was
a temple and we could use it as a shelter. There can be snakes and
other wild animals, nothing very terrifying but one need to be careful.
As I mentioned, this was my first night trek and was little
worried. Except Mudassar, I couldn’t see anyone familiar and that
is how this treks usually are. All are new and carry no baggage.
We started to ascend, moving out of the village.
We could see Brahmagiri’s top, I thought max distance could be 4 KM.
Sky was looking very beautiful, so many stars and a full moon. You can
never see such a beautiful sky in the city. Moon light was almost like
day light. Initial terrain was rocky and we could see every one
moving up briskly. Within 1 Km of the stretch it became clear who
is fast and who has energy. I was slow and slightly falling behind the
group. All the time trying to catch-up with the group.
This is normal in any trek. Normally there are first timers
who would accompany me. This time it looked like most of them are
experienced and all of them are very fast. After one KM on a fairly
plain boulder, it was our first break, we all ate. Contrary to
normal Saturday night eating I was eating only 2 chapathis. I know it is
difficult to climb, with heavy stomach. Anyway I had to carry my extra 20
kms weight J..
After 15-20 mins of break, we started again. Mudassar warned us, now we
are entering a thick forest with big trees. Inside this it would be dark
and there are chances of being lost along the way and he wanted everyone to
stay together. We started, I am always amazed by his knowledge. He
seems to know so many treks like back of his hand. Within 200
meters it was dense forest, but luckily there was a clear trail. Everyone had
torches. Most of us switched it on and started moving. I always felt why
all others go so fast, my consolation was that I am oldest of the group and
that is possibly excuse to be slow, another half-a-km.. I am falling
behind. I keep shouting ‘go slow’ they stop and again start. Inside
this forest, visibility is almost zero and we had to depend on our
battery. We trekked for another 1 km but clearly I was
drifting away. I could see the torch lights but nothing else.
Since it was clear trail, I was confident to follow the trail. I also
knew sometimes there were multiple ways and by practice, others who move
forward would mark an arrow with available sticks , to show the direction.
Now it is becoming much darker, I thought it was hazy too. Hardly could see
some torch lights. I followed the trail and tried to move as fast as
possible but still unable to catch them. One trail was forking, I use my
torch to check, there is no marking. Confused as to which trail is
correct, I took a trail I thought was going up. Walked another 100
meters, couldn’t spot anyone. I was not sure whether I followed the
correct trail or not. My torch was getting dimmer, probably cells are
slowly discharged, I checked the time it is 11:55 p.m. I continued
walking, hoping I will be able to catch up, the new worry being whether I have
taken wrong trail. Another 5 mins my battery is totally
dead. Luckily the forest is becoming thinner and leading to a grassland..
Visibility improved and now I can see stars and moon . It is also clear,
I have lost out of the group and couldn't see anyone. Knowing
Mudassar, it must be a break time, they would have checked and found
that I am totally lost. Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound
behind me. I turned back, Arre! it is Pallavi with a smile on her
face ! I am surprised because she was not there in the group, during
introduction session . She is quite a familiar person to me. When I ask
her where she was during introduction.. she mumbles, I couldn’t
understand. Anyway I am happy I found at least one person for my
company. I knew she treks slowly like me. She just gestured to
follow her and she would show me the way. I started asking her about her newly
married life and profession, she is unusually silent this time. I
am also not in a mood to talk since I am tired and eagerly wanting to
join the group. Pallavi is an experienced trekker and I am sure she will
find a way. She moved forward and I followed. After another KM, now
I was faster than her and over took her. At last, I could see the group,
in my excitement I ran to join the group. Mudassar is standing and he is
also relieved to see me. I explained I lost my way and somehow I could join
them with the help of Pallavi, he says ‘Pallavi, are you sure?,. again he says
–‘Are you sure, you were helped by Pallavi? Did you not hear the news? She died
in an accident ?!!' . My blood turned to ice, stunned, I turned back to
show him that it was indeed Pallavi. No… there is no one there
! who was it that helped me then?!!
