So just five of us finally arrived at Panvel ST depot for our first monsoon trek this year. The trek we all decided was Prabalgad & Kalavantin durg which is near Shedung phata in Panvel. After about two weeks of email intimation and follow up and last minute cancellations, we were just five to finally make it - Tushar, Sarvesh, Akshay, Zian and me. As it eventually turned out, we were glad that we were just five! ;)
We arrived at the meeting point on time, packed some food and drink supplies and went searching for transport to the starting point of the trek, which is Thakurwadi village. From this village we have to trek upto Prabalmachi, the base point of the trek. Here, you have two directions leading to Prabalgad and Kalavantin durg each. Very simple trek, as described by Tushar in his event inviation mail. I am quite sure we all would think twice before relating 'simple' with this trek.
When asked for fare, the rickshaw fellow claimed Rs. 250, which did not seem reasonable. He justified about long distance and we did not look for better offers so just got inside his tamtam and set off. Midway, when we asked him how much more time, he replied just 15 minutes. This was when had set off just 5 minutes back. Bloody bugger billed us a penalty for not surveying the market properly. Anyways, we all said, and asked him about the details of the trek. He told us a few things which seemed all glib lies, of which we were not aware back then. When we reached the starting point we could see two paths leading to different ways. He told us to take the right path, which eventually turned out to be very wrong. Left was the right path, if only we had known earlier!
We were lost a few times on the path we took, and never could see a clear trail. The path was dense with bushes, most of them having spines which pricked us often. It was a steep path and we were getting exhausted soon. Akshay started suffering with cramps in stomach which made him take halts often. We were also not sure if we were on the right track or not because it seemed that we are reaching nowhere. At a point in time, we had to take a call if we should drop this trek. But, we all are clear about this one thing related to trekking - that above all, it is about teamwork! So, we distributed some of the stuff Akshay had in his bag among us while Tushar held his bag and set off. In some time Akshay was fine and could trek properly, leading the way most of the time, the way which itself was wrong.
We crossed black rocks often seen at water falls, small waterfalls & water bodies, lush green fields and trespassed farm lands which had compounds made of spiny bushes. We could even see people ascending Prabalgad and also Kalavantin durg, sometimes heard their voices clearly as if they are very close to us. Yet, we were just not able to find a way. Ultimately, at 30 minutes past 1 we decided to chuck it; we would have lunch and set off our return journey. So we finished most of the food we had brought along, collected all the waste in a polythene to throw away at dumpyard. Before leaving, we all took a power nap of about 15 minutes. All this while, we had been very enthusiastic about clicking pictures all the way, it's needed to do a little show off and for personal possession. While setting off back we were discussing if we should tell our friends this true story or should we make up some excuse or should we lie that we made it. We could not lie that as we did not have any pictures of the landmarks as testimony. We were not able to come to a conclusion about what to tell others, but, we told ourselves that we are coming back here soon to conquer it!
As if God had finally sent his help, we came across a local guy while going through some unclear trails. We asked for directions and he offered his help in return. We would be leading us to the wadi, the base point of this trek. On the way we enquired everything we wanted to know and the guy oblidged. We reached the base point and he bid goodbye. Now, we could clearly see trails leading to Prabalgad and Kalavantini durg each, and also the way upto this point. It was a very clear trail, suitable for humans to tread comfortably. It was a path with scenic views of Sahyadri mountain ranges and the villages close by. We also came across a few wind points and just could not resist enjoying ourselves there and also doing some solo, group and scenary photography!
By the time we reached the starting point we had decided for a retake of this trek with the same people on third Sunday of July 2011. Earlier we had a painstaking feeling of regret that we were not able to find the correct trail, leave alone completing the trek. But we had learnt our lesson while descending back to base. This was our first real failure and we are going to make it our stepping stone for all future treks. Key learning is to be very sure about directions, and when not, get a local guide. Prabal almost had us in all sorts of trouble, but hopefully for this time only. And what fun is a trek without facing any of it! Never mind Prabalgad and Kalavantini durg, we are coming back soon to conquer you and it would be one of our eternal accomplishments, for sure!
