Monsoon was at the peak, all rivers & lakes were flowing across the valley, the entire range was decorated by green carpet, many small waterfalls on it glory, mist, rain, wind, leaches made the trek more beautiful and challenging. Spontaneous variety of food-snacks throughout the journey!!! Yes it was Tadiandamol weekend trek with BangaloreAscenders on 27 – 28th June 2015.
Tadiandamol is the second highest peak in Karnataka located near Kakkabbe, Virajapete Taluk, and Kodagu District. It was a very special trek for me since my close friend Suresh organized the event. The person who has motivated me and because of whom I am now mad about treks, thank you so much Suresh. Secondly thanks to Shanthi Prasad, a wonderful person who made me join this trek.
I had been to the base point of the trek Nalakhand Palace thrice before this; however I was not able to venture it. The main constrain was that I was with family on vacation. This was one of to-do list of my treks since a long time.
26.06.2015
When I saw the preparatory mail by Suresh where he clearly assigned each and every individual to get certain things. The list was endless and great effort by my friend but just got a shock, I asked myself “Are we going to trek? Or any party celebration”.
| Name | Item Description |
| Karthik | Ghee 250gms x 2 Pkts (Nandini only) |
| Shanthi Prasad | Tomato/ Vegetable Soup Packets for 25 persons & Tarpaulin |
| Vidyasagar | Knife 1 |
| vivek bhat | 2 Breakfast & 1 Dinner preparation items |
| Satish G | Potato 1kg |
| Kota M Anvinash | Capsicum – 2 Kg, |
| Basavaraj S | Tomato 4 Kgs, Serving Spoon |
| Ramesh Raithatha | Beans 1 ½ kgs |
| Arjun Muddaiah | Sugar 2 Kg |
| Ashwin V | 04 persons Tent |
| Chandrakala BV | Tea Filter (New cloth or filter) & Knife 1 |
| Sandeep Gowda | Cashew 500 gms, Almond 100gms, Dry Grapes 200gms |
| Naveen Gowda | Salt 500Gms & Crystal salt 500Gms |
| HEMANTH K | Big Serving spoon |
| Priyank Goel | Good Life Milk 4 Ltrs. |
| Pragati Agrawal | Cucumber 4nos. |
| Sowmya s n | Coriander leaves, Curry leaves each 1 bunch, Green Chili 400 Gms., Lemon 12 Nos, Ginger 300 gms |
| Anvesh Reddy | Tea Powder 500gms., Coffee Powder 100 Gms |
| Rekha G | Potato Chips 1 Kg & Khara Bhundi 500 Gms ( MTR or Mayas) |
| Girish NL | Mung Dal 1 Kg |
| Prabhakar Gowda | Onion 5 Kg, Carrot – 4 Kg, |
| Rathna V | Green Peas 01 Kg |
| Skanda | Sun flower Oil 1 Ltrs |
| Sunil Kumar OG | 04 persons Tent |
| Suresh | Bread, Jam/ Tomato sauce |
I called Suresh to get confirmation about the trek. Reached the pickup point Shanthala Silk well before the time. After some time one by one joined us. The mini bus was ready to take us, team size was 26 members. Left Majestic around 11 pm. There were many known trek friends and few were new, the journey was smooth.
27.06.2015
When I opened my eyes we were already in Kodagu district. The hills were decorated by clouds, everywhere water was overwhelming all the way, and entire atmosphere was filled with peak monsoon. We reached the base point of Nalakhand palace around 7.30 am. I have to appreciate Suresh’s organizing skills, he booked a small home at starting point of trek. He called Thammayya to arrange a Jeep to carry our grocery items. You may imagine the volume of the items considering a big team of 26 members.
Soon we finished our morning itinerary near the stream. Few of us headed by walking towards Thammayya’s house which is around 4 km away from the place. The tar road will run you through the beautiful valley with many coffee estates. On the way we came across many small falls which were on their glory. We reached the base camp home by around 9 am. The small old house of Thammayya is a very peaceful place. This is the last home on the way to Tadiandamol. This is a best place if anyone is planning a day-out with family & kids. This is the first trek where I did not take even Biscuits with me. I was hungry and wanted to have something, friends shared light snacks so I was able to manage till the breakfast.
The cooking team was excellent. The team is headed by great guys Vivek Bhat and Prabhakar, who supported the entire team. The supporting team members were Sunilkumar, Anvesh, Madan, Pragathi, Rekha, Naveen, Chandrakala, Ashwin and the entire team. They are professionals and planned the entire menu. Filled our stomach with spontaneous Awalakki and coffee.
Everyone was now ready to venture the Tadiandamol, the highest peak around Kodagu. We took the group pic and headed towards the summit.
The climate was perfect and rain was pouring with intervals. Initial trail was through the normal ascend with view of beautiful valley. Crossing small waterfalls we reached the grass land.
We found a big rock where we have to keep towards right. The mist was high, so could not see anything beyond 10 meters. The summit becomes more and more ascend from this point. We took multiple breaks for photographs. After a steep ascend we entered into dense jungle. The leaches were on their job, many of us had sweet bite of them. Reached the Tadiandamol peak around 12.30 Noon. Because of the huge mist, we missed to witness the beauty of the valley. We enjoyed the moments of the rain, mist and wind. Spent couple of minutes on the peak. Now was the time to move back.
The descending part was not much difficult, taking multiple break
s reached the big rock. Photography took more time with each one of the group. Adieu to the Tadiandamol valley. We then headed towards Thammayya home for night camp. Reached home by 3 pm, where we had enough time. The hot water was ready for bath. We all took bath and got refreshed. Soon the great team served hot tea and coffee followed by Sandwich. Few of us engaged with playing cards, few chitchat with their experiences, few were indulged in preparation of dinner. The entire atmosphere was looking like a wedding ceremony. Each one of us were enjoying the moment.
s reached the big rock. Photography took more time with each one of the group. Adieu to the Tadiandamol valley. We then headed towards Thammayya home for night camp. Reached home by 3 pm, where we had enough time. The hot water was ready for bath. We all took bath and got refreshed. Soon the great team served hot tea and coffee followed by Sandwich. Few of us engaged with playing cards, few chitchat with their experiences, few were indulged in preparation of dinner. The entire atmosphere was looking like a wedding ceremony. Each one of us were enjoying the moment.
I and Shanthi Prasad had a small walk around the valley. We met one more team who were trekking with different trail. Heard their adventurous encounters with unlimited leach bites. The Thammayya home is well structured to enjoy the valley with family. We decided to re-visit this place with beloved ones (family).
The dinner was ready with payasam. Salute the effort and interest of the core cooking team in serving all of us spontaneous food. We had to adjust a bit due to place constraint. The team was not in mood to spend any more time for any cultural activity. The rain was pouring heavily; so we missed the fire camp.
28.06.2015
The morning was always early for me in any trek; got up at 4.30am and finished morning itinerary. One by one everyone got ready. Morning again tea-coffee with biscuits and bread. Soon the team prepared Uppittu & Kesari Bath. Finished our breakfast and had a photography session around the home. The home is situated in a beautiful place. It was then time to head towards the palace where our vehicle was waiting.
Enjoying the valley soon we all reached to Nalakhand palace. The caretaker of palace briefed about the place and its history. Very soon finished the palace visit and proceeded towards the next destination which was Cheluvara Falls. The Cheluvara falls is around 15km away from this place. You have to take deviation near Cheyyandane village. I am well versed with this place, last year I had been this place with family. The Cheluvara falls on it peak flow, could not venture inside the water. Spent couple of minutes watching the glorious falls.
The return journey was busy with everyone watching movies. Soon we hit the Mysuru city, as usual the Mysuru – Bengaluru worst traffic. We had no option to tolerate the journey, reached Bengaluru majestic by 9.45 pm. One by one we all bid adieu. Over all it was a wonderful wedding ceremony / NCC Camp for me. I was missing my DSLR on this trek.
Thanks to:
Entire team who was very co-operative and enjoyed each moment.
The cooking team who were excellent and served delicious food through out the trek
Suresh & Shanthi for making me join this trek
Bangalore Ascenders for organizing a wonderful Monsoon Trek
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Written by: Vidya Sagar
Composed by: Ramakrishna Nagaraja
Date: 27 & 28th June 2015
Event Organized by: Suresh Babu
Image gallery: Sunil, Hemanth Kumar & Sowmya
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