Trek to Karnala Fort

The alarm buzzed at five in the morning. Lightening up a small part of the room. I woke up wrapped in the sheets in the comfort of my bed. It was dark outside. The occasional bark of the dog pierced through the silence of the early morning as I got ready for the trek. Surbhi had decided to organise a trek and had rallied everyone to join in. I always wanted to climb Karnala fort, I eagerly joined the gang. Many of our friends left the group as they preferred the prospect of watching a movie in the multiplex over trek in the nature’s abode.

Having decided to meet at Kurla at seven in the morning. I was already running late for a 7:00 am local train. I reached Kurla at 7:30 am where Surbhi, Vishal and Karan where waiting for me. The fast local from Thane was crowded and with my mobile inside I couldn't pick any call. “You are late, we were almost leaving without you.” Vishal said in a mock anger. “Even I thought I wouldn’t make it too Kurla.” I said as we burst into laughter, hugging each other. I was missing you guys, all this while. “Aww! That is sweet Sanket. I wanted to go on this trek too.” Surbhi said. “I thought the trek won’t happen with many of our classmates backing out.” Karan said.

We boarded the Local and were on our way to Panvel. Prajakta joined us in Panvel. While coming out of the Railway Station a mob of Rickshaw wallahs gathered around us. After bargaining for few moments we decided to go by a rickshaw at two hundred rupees. Rickshaw trudged on to the roads of Panvel. Dodging a few potholes, created by incessant rains and shoddy work the rickshaw entered on to the highway leading to Karnala fort. The lush greenery spread on both side of road was a pleasant sight to behold as we reached the base at 9:30 am.

Parrots, Peahens, Peacocks, Kites and Rabbits adorned the cages of the Sanctuary. The monkeys wandered around freely and happily in the sanctuary. We started the trek at 10:00 am. It was a way through the midst of the forest, the path drew out of many a trees. We climbed the path with occasional break for having water and keeping ourselves hydrated. Climbing upon an occasional boulder, we climbed further. The sun rose even higher in the sky as it was twelve in the noon. We settled down near the boulders, and rested their for a while. We got up to move ahead after clicking away selfies and started moving. But Karan couldn't stand straight as he was suffering from a stiff back. “My back’ hurting I cannot stand straight.” Karan said as he was in considerable pain. We had to cure his back first. But after a few stretching exercises, Karan stood just fine and then we were back on track.

The peak was still far away. We were hungry, thirsty and tired. But we walked through the narrow path. Until we found a large tree, we sat under its cool shade, we could see the wide landscape of the entire city of Panvel as we opened our tiffins. “Have these wafer biscuits.” Prajakta said. “Karan open your supplies brother.” Vishal said. “The wafer biscuits are amazing. Can I have another one?” I said. After half an hour of munching and gorging on to the crisps and biscuits we got up to finish the trek.

We reached the plateau from where we could see the main entrance of the Fort. The Fort is built at the height of one thousand four forty feet. In its hay days the fort had immense strategic value overlooking the Bor pass which connected the Konkan Coast to interior Maharashtra. A light shower was a much needed respite from the sweltering heat. We made it to the top at twelve thirty PM. The panoramic view of the city was breath taking. The buildings spread across the city seemed to stretch past beyond the horizon. We settled down near the first level of the fort. The black rock of Sahyadri range stood before us enduring the ravages of time. I settled down and opened my book. “Which book are you reading?” Surbhi asked. “I am reading “Adventures of Rusty” by Ruskin Bond.

We spent a lot of time feeling the breeze at the peak flowing past our face, through our hair and refreshing us as we got up with a new found zeal. We started our descend at two thirty PM. The descend was much quicker even though we were hungry and thirsty. We came down at around 4 ‘o clock. Sitting down near the roots of the tree, I saw a bespectacled girl coming out of the woods. No older than I was. “How was the trek?” I asked. “It was good.” She said. “I am Sanket.” I said. “I am Surbhi.” She said. “There is a Surbhi in our group too.” I said as both Surbhi’ smiled at each other. “You like collecting stones?” I asked. “Yes, I like collecting different kinds of pebbles.” She said showing me her collection. “I like collecting pebbles from the sea shore.” I said. “I also collect crystal stones.” She said. “Wow that’s beautiful.” I said after seeing the crystal. “Surbhi! We are here.” Her friends called her out. I waved my bye to Surbhi and joined my friends.

We came out of the bird sanctuary. But couldn't find a means of transport to travel back to Panvel station. The rickshaw was too expensive for our liking. “We will hitchhike our way to Panvel station.” I said ecstatically. Many cars passed but none of them was ready to stop. Even Surbhi’s group was trying its luck, but even they didn’t find a single vehicle. A car stopped, but didn’t take us to Panvel as he didn’t wanted to take away the Rickshaw driver’s fare. A ten seater stopped right behind us as we were bargaining with a truck driver.

“Finally we got a vehicle to travel in.” Vishal said as we got into the ten seater. We shared the fare amongst ourselves. “Hi I am Sanket. I come from Thane” I said. “I am Anaita, but Thane is a sad place though.” Anaita said with an impish grin. “Who told you that?” I said. “Everyone we came across.” Surbhi said. “Then you should definitely visit Thane.” I said. “What so special about Thane?” Anaita asked. “We have got beautiful Yeoor hills and bunch of lakes. “You seem to be the marketing guy. Convincing us about Thane.” Anaita said as we laughed along. We talked about philosophy, travel, treks and Reincarnation and why some TV series had lost their charm. Before we could conclude that treks are amazing in the monsoon Panvel railway station arrived. “We would meet over a trek!” I said as I waved my goodbye to Anaita and her friends.

“Guys I have to buy my ticket.” I said hugging my friends a good bye. I got my ticket and hopped into the Thane bound local. The trek was an amazing experience. We walked a lot, had our food in the shade of tree, made our way through rocks and boulders, relaxed at the top and came down with lots of photos, made new friends and had an experience worth remembering; a perfect recipe for

an exhilarating trek.