How to Reach:
From Pune, there are two ways, via Katraj and other is via Aale Phata (on Pune - Nashik highway). We preferred to go by Nashik Highway as the road is good and we wanted to enjoy the Malshej ghat, a very popular region during Monsoon season as one can enjoy splendid views of waterfalls and cliffs all along the way. We were traveling by Maruti Gypsy 4×4 and had a lot of fun.
Though we went in Jan, that's (10-11 Jan 09) to be precise, the landscapes were just amazing however we could not get the snaps as the area was hazy.
Our plan was to reach Gorakhgad by 10 Jan evening and climb for Machhindra on 11. We had all the necessary accessories including pitons, zumar, 200 ft and 100 ft ropes, no of slings and so on…
We started for the Gorakhgad by 5:30 PM after having Pohe (poha) at village Dehri which is at footsteps of the ridge. The view looks like this..
We were able to get some beautiful snaps of sunset on the way as we finished our first climb and fortunate enough we were able to see Siddhagad. Soon sun set the horizon and we had no words to describe the marvelous view of Moon, yes there was Pornima, Full moon that day and the time was just perfect. We could not, however, get the moon in between two peaks of Gorakhgad and Machhindra.
Amidst tube light of moon we were able to climb with all our weights on back. We could realize the exposed face only when we descended the path, next morning.
Once on top, at arnd 8 we had food which was packed from Pune batatyachi Bhaji (potato subzi ) and polya (roti). We also had Tea, which we prepared, not to mention.
We tried to sleep at night which was full of noise as more and more groups came to Gorakhgad mostly from Mumbai, not to mention proximity to the site.
Next day (11 Jan 09) morning we got up and prepared Tea, we headed for the Balekilla, the topmost point of Gorakhgad. Me, Devendra and Yeshwant kaka (our trek lead) reached top and once again we had a look at beautiful Siddhagad and we could get few snaps of Machhindra with sunlight spread over it. The climb to topmost point was more difficult than the previous day climb to cave but we were not carrying sacks, and thus we could reach quite fast the route is very narrow with complete exposed rock on one side.
The best thing is there are lots of holds made to ensure you can hold the rock and thus eliminating the necessity of rope. Still I would say people who are afraid of heights need not attempt to reach top.
We came back to cave at around 8 and started descend at 8:45 in the meantime we had Maggie and packed our sack.
We had to traverse a lot to make it to the notch between Gorakhgad and Machhindra. We reached there by 10 and there I decided to wait with my friend Niranjan Joshi, as the climb was not so easy and I could not leave him there alone as its quite boring.
At around 10:30 Yeshwant Kaka, Devendra and Suhas Kaka left for the rock with 400 ft rope and no of carabiners, zumar and …
Climbing was really difficult for the team with Sun setting high on full face. We were cheering them all the time with few Chitale made Bakerwadya (Punekar must be knowing what heavenly taste I am talking about) and homemade Tikhata mithachya Purya prepared by my Mom (Puris made of Hot chilies and salt). The team managed to reach the top at around 2 PM. And we (me and Niranjan Joshi) gave them 3 cheers; also, some people from the Gorakhgad cave cheered them.
Once back, we started descent at around 5:30 PM in between we had Gajar Halwa and then reached at Dehri village at 7:45 PM not to forget we were carrying only 7 Ltr of water when we left Gorakhgad cave at 8:45 AM till we came back to Dehri at 7:45 PM. We asked the shop owner come hotel wala to arrange some Batata Russa bhaji (potato Subzi) 6 plates which we finished so easily that we would have finished another 4-5 plates easily as all of us were very hungry. We started for Pune by approx 9:30 PM reached Pune by 1:40 and finally reached by around 2 AM on 12 Jan 09. It was a wonderful experience though I wanted to climb Machhindra, did not attempt this time, next time I have made my mind give in 100%.
mast lihile aahes re :)
ReplyDeleteani if u remember, my group was also there at the top when u reached there and tuzya kadun thodi photography hi shikayla milaleli tevha :)
it was really nice to read ur story..
m going to gorakhgad again next week with my office mates. :)