Region : Pushagiri Wildlife Santuary, Somwarpet Taluk,
Kodagu
Height : 1712 meters / 5,617 ftTrek Dt : 14th and15th Feb’15
Kumaraparvatha…This mountain (parvatha) beckons you, if you
are an hardcore trekker. I have done most of the treks in the Karnataka region
minus this one until now. Been wanting to go there and was on a lookout for a
good group. Well, none of the Mumbai / Pune trekking groups venture out so far.
And so I started scouting for an apt group from Bangalore. Bangalore Mountaineering Club…a leading club organizing
trekking, climbing and adventure activities in and around Karnataka, usually
hosts the KP Trek (short for Kumara parvatha) once a month for all its hardcore
trekkers. Hence, I decided to join them on this trek scheduled 14th
and 15th February’15.
About KP - Pushpagiri or Kumara Parvatha, at 1,712 metres (5,617 ft), is the highest peak in the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Western Ghats section of Karnataka. It is located in Somwarpet Taluk, 20kms from Somwarpet in the northern part of Kodagu district on the border between Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts. It is the 6th highest peak of Karnataka. The Pushpagiri or Subramanya Hills (also reffered as Kumara Parvatha) is the second highest peak of Kodagu. The peak can be approached from two sides. Kukke Subramanya located in Dakshina Kannada district via Girigadde and the second route from Beedehalli via Heggademane temple near Somwarpet.
Kukke
Subramanya is located at 140ft above MSL. Hence, the climb from
Kukke to the KP Peak is a long and strenuous one…
Kukke Subramanya Temple |
Just
about 30 meters before the Kukke Temple on the main road, we take a right turn
into a small lane (amidst the shops). A short 10min walk took us upto the
Pushpagiri park entrance. We were 31 trekkers in all, including the BMC
leaders. Most of them were IT professionals from Bangalore, me direct from Mumbai,
one girl from Trichy and another one from Delhi.
Park Entrance |
After a brief introduction, we
started our trek around 8am. Our first halt was at Battara Mane and the trek
leaders had set a target for all of us to reach there latest by 11am.
The trek path is well laid as its most frequented by trekkers. One can compare its popularity to Harishchandragad trek in Maharashtra.The
total distance from the trek start point to the peak is about 14kms and Battara
Mane is approx 6.5kms. The highlight of this trek is that one constantly climbs
or gains elevation right from the trek start point. As we started our trek at
140mtrs our first stop point Battara Mane was at approx 840mtrs MSL. Though we
climbed through thick forest, in enough shade, many of us including me felt the
ascent strenuous. However, we scrambled up hurriedly to reach Battara Mane well in
time by 10.30am. After an hour of much needed rest and a light lunch (Rice and Dal), we
were on our way towards the peak.
Battara Mane |
As instructed by our leaders, we dumped our
sacks at Battara Mane and just carried water, chocolates and light
refreshments. This was the most difficult part of the trek. The trek to peak
from Battara Mane / Girigadde Forest Office is about 7.5kms which we had to
complete in 3.5hrs. Elevation gain – approx 840mtrs MSL to 1712mtrs MSL…WOW!! And the
more awesome part was that our leaders instructed us to reach the peak not
later than 3pm and return back to Battara Mane by 6pm. Phew! Now that was quite a bit
of ascent and descent to be done in the shortest span of time. Nevertheless,
without any apprehensions or hesitation, most of us left Battara Mane at 11.30am for the trek. A few not-so enthusiats who did not want to venture further decided to stay back at Battara Mane.
Towards The Peak |
We embarked on our trek right when the Sun was up our heads and the route mostly devoid of any shade cover. The terrian is shola grasslands with a few forest patches here-n-there. Hence, the heat was unbearable and most of us exhaustive and tired. To add to my woes was the constant cramps, I kept experiencing in both my legs. Took numerous halts and water breaks enroute, managing to
reach the ‘Mantappa’ (A canopy kind of structure with just 4 pillars). There is a good water source just before ‘Mantappa’, to replenish one’s water stock. It was 2pm at Mantappa and still a long way to go for me. ‘Sheesha Parvatha’ was the next destination at about 3kms. A fellow trekker told me to 'call it a day' seeing me in excruciating pain due to the cramps. Most of them were already nearing the KP Peak by this time. I took a while to recover and then pushed myself with all vigour and strength..like all charged up. Had to reach the peak anyhow.
Mantappa |
Slowly but steadily, made it past ‘Sheesha Parvatha’ at 2.45pm. The views from
here are simply magnificient. Crossing
another 2 kms, the path lead downwards into the forest. passing by 2 camping sites, we reach a coloumn between the peak. I, and another trekker who was fortunately giving me company for so long manage to reach the 50ft rock patch
Rock Patch |
at the edge of the coloumn, just
below the peak. Moving on to the right side of the patch, I cautiously climbed holding onto the cracks and
niches in the rock. Past the rocks, I reached the peak’s plateau.
KP as seen enroute from Sheshaparvatha |
We started back our trek from the Peak to Battara Mane at around 3.30pm. Since we were descending it
was equally important to be careful as the gradients were steep with loose soil. Eventually after about 2hrs of descent we
reached the valley view point, close to Battara Mane at 5.30pm. Tired and exhausted after 21 long kilometers of trekking, we wanted to 'just crash'. We watched the sunset at the view point and
returned to Battara Mane. The joy of completing the trek uptill now was quite
evident on the faces of all those people who reached the peak. (Statistics–18 trekkers
successfully reached the peak out of 31). After a quick, simple and sumptuous
dinner, it was bed-time. I alongwith a few friends decided to sleep at the
valley view point, so we grabbed our sleeping bags and made it back there. The
sky was clear and the starlight show was at its best. Lying under the stars and feeling
a light sway of the chill breeze, everyone fell asleep quite instantaneously.
Our
wakeup call was 6am the next day (15th Feb) and we had to leave Battara Mane by 7am.
Everything went according to plan. After a quick lite breakfast we descended through the forest reaching the park entrance around 9.30am. We then proceeded to our bus (parked at
Kukke bus stand), refreshed and took off on our return journey. Enroute we
stopped for Lunch. We reached Domlur, Bangalore around 7pm and I proceeded to my uncle’s
house to spend the night there. Took the morning flight back to Mumbai the next day.
Many
would say, and its written too on most sites that the KP trek is the toughest
in South India. Well, I would agree to that only in terms of steep gradients and
continuous altitude gain. Apart from these, this trek does not have any dangers or perils.
Yes, it’s a must do for every hardcore trekker. Camping is allowed in the
forest at a few designated spots and on the Peak. The Peak is inside a wildlife sanctuary hence its
always advisable to travel in a group and stick together at all times.
In
the end, I proudly state that I enjoyed every bit of the trek cause inspite of the severe painful cramps I suffered, I pushed myself to reach the peak and back. A much deserving pat on my back... Always a good morale to keep going....