Trek to Kalsubai on 26th June 2011, an Offbeat Way

Trek to Kalsubai with Offbeat Sahyadri on 26^th June 2011

Don’t you think touching the clouds at highest peak of Sahyadris in Maharashtra would be an awesome way of kicking off this year’s trekking season

Come join us for a trek to : “Kalsubai”, the Offbeat way

Dear OffBeaters,

Offbeat Sahyadri invites you for the a trek to Kalsubai, highest peak of Maharashtra on 26th June 2011, beginning on Saturday 25th night from Mumbai as well as from Pune.

Trivia

Type: Peak

Height: 1646 meters or 5400 Feet above MSL (Approx) 

Grade: Easy to medium Base 

Village: Bari / Indore.

Kalsubai is the highest peak of the Sahyadris in Maharashtra.

Kalsubai is situated in Ahmadnagar district at approximately 25-30 Km. South-East of Igatpuri. At the summit is a small temple of Kalsubai, which can seat just three people. At this superb height, the view is just marvellous. The vastly spread out backwaters of Bhandardara attract one’s attention from the top. To the north of the mountain range forts such as Ramsej, Harihargad, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai can be seen. To the east one can spot Aundha, Patta, Bitangad, to the west Alang, Madan, Kulang, Ratangad (south west) and to the south Pabargad, Ghanchakkar, Harishchandragad can be seen.

It usually takes 3 hours to reach the top from Bari and 4 from Indore. Soon after leaving Bari, a small stream is crossed followed soon after by a Hanuman temple. The route from behind this temple takes the hiker straight to the summit. There are three iron ladders along this route. There is a well near the last iron ladder as one approaches the top. Since Kalsubai is extremely famous, enough efforts have been taken to make this trek easy. There are steel railings, chains and ladders at places where it is difficult to climb. This is the most usual route that most of the trekkers take to climb Kalsubai, but at Offbeat we are going to descend via this route.

We will be ascending Kalsubai via Indore route; a less trudged route. It takes 4 hrs

from Indore to reach the top. It’s a completely raw route with no ladders, no

constructed steps but only a foot trail to make your trekking more exciting.

Reaching the top is a real satisfaction. Reaching a top of the Everest is but a special one! As far as Maharashtra is concerned, reaching the summit of Kalsubai, the Everest of Maharashtra, should also be a special one!

Peripheral sites:

Backwaters of Bhandardara

Forts seen: Ramsej, Harihargad, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai Aundha, Vishramgad, Bitangad, to the west Alang, Madangad, Kulang, Ratangad  (south west) and to the south Pabhargad, Ghanchakkar, Harishchandragad

The itinerary for the Trek is as given below:

Meeting point for Mumbaikars:

Dadar Stn (E) Swaminarayan temple 11:00pm on Saturday 25^th June 2011
11:15 pm : Departure from Dadar
05:00 am : Reach the Base
05:30 am : Introduction, does and don’ts, breakfast
06:30 am : Start Ascent
11.00 am : Reach the top, Lunch, enjoy the view
12:30 pm : Start Descent
03:00 pm : Base
03:30 pm : Waterfall
04:30 pm : Reach Bari, Tea and evening refreshments

05:15 pm : Departure for Mumbai
09:30 pm : Reach Mumbai

Meeting Point for Punekars:

Shivajinagar HDFC office at 10.30pm on Saturday
or pick up point at Kasarwadi at 11.00 pm

05:00 am : Reach the Base
05:30 am : Introduction, does and don’ts, breakfast
06:30 am : Start Ascent
11.00 am : Reach the top, Lunch, enjoy the view
12:30 pm : Start Descent
03:00 pm : Base
03:30 pm : Waterfall
04:30 pm : Reach Bari, Tea and evening refreshments

05:15 pm : Departure for Pune
10:00 pm : Reach Pune

Contribution
Rs 500/- per head for Mumbai people
Rs 600/- per head for Pune people
which includes
Travelling from Dadar to Dadar / Shivaji nagar to Shivaji nagar by private vehicle
Breakfast and evening refreshments.

For registration kindly transfer Rs 400 per head in the following A/c

Union Bank Account No 369102010801696
Branch : Juhu Tara Mumbai
In the Name of Ms Priti P Patel
IFSC Code : UBINO536911

Note: Registrations through phone calls only.

After transaction please email us transaction id along with participants details (name, email and mobile number) at offbeatsahyadri@gmail.com

Check list :

Rains are expected, so pack your bags accordingly to save them from getting wet. Double pack your valuables in plastic bags
Mandatory items	Personal	Optional
Identity Proof	Cap	Camera
Water bottle 2litres	Wind-proof jacket	Sunglasses
Lunch for the day	Bandages	Soap
Napkin	Electral / Glucon D	Plastic Bags
Change of clothes	Ready to eat snacks	Scarf
Torch	Personal medicines
Mug For Tea	Good trekking shoes
Haversack	Socks

Gallery :

Registration or queries:

Mumbai Coordinators

Priti Patel : 9869524260

Rajas Deshpande : 9664782503

Pune Coordinators

Zeenat Sikilkar  : 898334613

Sunil Gawade : 9764006282

Emergency Contact No : You may leave this number with your relatives, so that in case you are not reachable they can contact on the number and get an update on the group’s whereabouts.

Aniruddha Kelkar :  9619666895

Rules and regulations:

 

1.    Do understand that we do not arrange picnics. It follows that if one seeks luxury and absolute comfort then we can hardly help them. ;)

2.    Offbeat Sahyadri believe in being one with nature and that is possible only when we shed all city slicker attitudes. Of course by that we do not suggest that one should be ready for any kind of nonsense.

3.    Utmost care is taken to ensure safety of the group and care is taken that no one is inconvenienced because of factors within our control.

4.    We do expect our offbeater friends to understand group dynamics and leave at home their individuality. They should be prepared to share and care. That makes and all the physical and mental exhaustion forgettable and the trek itself becomes unforgettable! Trust us on this.

Now some basic codes:

Respect nature:

1.    Absofreakinglutely no littering! Carry your own trash. If you are found littering then we will request you to pick it up. Friends, it is really not nice to throw garbage around and it only reflects upon us. Will we do this to our own houses?

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

2.    Do not disturb the flora and fauna. No making pretty bouquets of grabbed flowers and blooms. No feeding and intimidating birds and other animals. Think how you would feel if someone barges into your house and threatens you. The jungle is THEIR home. So, Capital NO= NO!

3.    Remember, the mountain has a mind of his own. Beware and do not make the mistake of taking him for granted. It sounds weird but it’s true.

With fellow trekkers:

1.    It is fun to interact and get to know people from different walks of life. Feel free to take the opportunity to expand your social circles.

2.    Share water and food. Nothing else is a better ice breaker than being offered water or a bite of your sandwich!

3.    Care for your fellow trekkers. It is not nice to be self centered and unamicable.

For your own safety:

1.    The organizers and you yourself are equally responsible for your safety. We cannot take the blame for injuries or inconveniences arising out of actions outside the organizers instructions and acts of nature.

2.    Simply put, stay with the group. Do not rush far too ahead or lag too behind. We understand that everyone has a different stamina and we try to keep the group bound together.

3.    Do not wander off from the main trail. Whenever there is no established trail, strictly stay with the group. Be within the sight of the person ahead of you and the one behind you. It helps.

4.    One must understand that the group leader is responsible for the entire group and may have to take some tough decisions at times. If one expects a memorable experience with us then we expect full cooperation and discipline. To sum up, the leader’s decision will be final and binding on all offbeaters.

5.    Finally, the non arguable part. Smoking and other forms of tobacco use and alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited.