Irshaling our way up!

It never starts at 6 although everyone is given strict warnings to come before 6 sharp!!! Poor people from far away lands, come waddling through deep waters and cross treacherous mountains to reach on time but... we never ever start on time!!! This time it was Jay for whom we had to wait and he stays the closest. Our over-enthusiastic hikers had made last minute reservations which resulted in 6 extra members than the bus could accommodate! Vikas then had to get his car along with 5 people going therein. We did manage to leave the college premises by around 6.45 am which was 45 minutes behind schedule but nevertheless digestible. And I had achieved the unimaginable, having convinced Ayushi, Nisha, POOJA and Rucha to come for the hike, the last hike for us as students of Podar! From the ex-pods side we had Puja, Akshay, Parin, Mandar, etc. I was too sleepy to do anything but still I did manage to click a few photographs on our way while constantly eating chicken rolls from Hearsch, Veg. Sandwiches by Sir and Bread-Butter-Jam by Ayushi!!! I must say that the butter and jam was very nicely spread on the bread, an art very mystically mastered by the new moons in the granite laden kitchens! Ayushi was to be the famous personality thanks to my Blog. She had personal requests for photos and autographs from many ex-podarites!!! We reached quite early, say by 8. We had just stopped the bus to see whether the place was correct and very filing back in when the engine went up in smoke. The entire bus was engulfed with a putrid smell with the smoke spreading throughout the length. There was supposedly some short circuit in the engine wiring due to which we could not take the bus further. We had to begin our hike much before the designated place, because of which (I came to know later) we lost around 45 minutes one way! The initial walk was tiring for a few. On our way to the base, we crossed a beautifully huge dam. We couldn't yet see the magnificence but the gigantic proportions left us belittled. We kept walking, clicking photos of shoe-laces, iron-masons, flowers, and of course US! Vikas and company had already parked their car at the Sarpanch's house and were waiting for us. We left without any time-shedding activities. On our way we blabbered like there was no end... Maybe it was the fun of hiking together, for the first time in 21 years and 5 years after joining college, or maybe we never got to talk in college due to Chris' ultra-influence. Whatever was the case we soon reached the G8 and LR of our hike. On the right was the LR hike G8 was spread on on right. I guess only G8 was used without the flush of course. We passed a small hamlet, resting at a juncture where the dam could be treasured in one's eyes. There was a very cute puppy, jet black, puddling its way with us. Farther down we spotted kids (baby goat). It seemed at the end of the day that the hill was infested with kids with not a single adult goat or sheep in sight!!! Anyways, Sir held an impromptu meeting at the congruence of G8 and LR for a small introduction of all the ex-podarites. We marched ahead as the sun kept blasting our backs with increasing ferocity. The climb initially was not tough but the temperature made it challenging. On our way we encountered rocks which Vikas confirmed were not climbable. So we changed our route and reached the other side of the mountain where there was immense amount of shade but little space. Sadly not all reached. Sir was standing at the edge looking out for the people still finding their way up. He heard screams coming from below on the other side from where we climbed. I was clicking photos from the rocks and sir waved at me. He was trying to point below the mountain. I thought he wanted me to capture a particular scene in my camera but when I reached I was shocked at what I was seeing!!! ANUJ! Stuck at a very odd angle on the slope below. He had maneuvered alone and had climbed till he could go no further. His desperate call to sir seemed to come from his last bout of energy. We frantically called Manish who then was carrying the rope. He handed it over to Bhaji who climbed up where I took the rope from him and reached the spot where Anuj was stuck. I, Sir, Arjun and Shrenik tied the rope around ourselves and let the other end loose towards Anuj.
Click here to view Anuj's Climb up!!!
I must appreciate his skills as he effortlessly came up the slope without any ounce of pull on the rope. With the rescue operation over, he went to a small corner and meditated for a while to calm himself down. Those who managed to reach began feasting like hungry hyenas. This was the first time on a hike that I got to eat so many varieties of food. Generally the staple diet is Theplas!!! Piles of them... this time we had shrikhand puri, puran poli, kheema pav, sandwiches, parathas, pulav, and sindhi papad puri!!! After lunch we began scouting for the remainders. We managed to get them notice us and they soon reached. Then we were misinformed by a few ex-podarites that the only way we were going to climb down was after doing the needle hole at the top, which meant serious rock climbing! I must place on records my sincere thanks to them for egging us on!Everyone began filing out of the shade and started climbing the rocks under the hot sun. Mid-way came a clarification that we would anywhichways be going back the same way and those who did not wish to climb the frightening rocks may go back and wait for the rest! We marched on, egging each other, waiting for the person ahead to climb first. Vikas, Uncle and Bhaji were there guiding us up, instilling courage in us. At the top there was a small ladder. God knows who put it up there but it was scary - what if it came tumbling back? At the pinnacle, there was needle hole and what a sight it offered! Huge expanse of water on one side, and a deep valley on the other, fierce winds blowing within. We sat for quite sometime in between the hole, witnessing what rarely one gets to. It was mind blowing! Ascending down was fun. It didn't take us much time and our thirsty throats were satiated at the village which was at the base of the mountain. We splashed in the dam for sometime where Shrenik had a miraculous escape, Ayushi playing the Baywatch lifeguard. The water was spectacularly dirty but we didn't mind. I need to mention this funny thing that happened. Some guy, whose name I can't place now or rather shouldn't place now, removed his tracks in the water to 'swim' properly. What he didn't realised is that he won't be able to wear them again while coming out. Poor guy! He was later removed with a towel! The hike was truly an awesome experience and an unique one that!