Trek to Alang,Madan and Kulang - I

It was the month of February. I was trying to figure out what I want to learn for the rest of the year. Where does my peace lie, what makes me feel happy? Intuitively I was learning Scheme a variant of Common Lisp language that was created for research in Artificial Intelligence by John McCarthy. It was tough and hard to grasp. Tired with a steep curve of learning, I decided to go for a trek along with my friend Pranav.

I called another friend of ours, Sanket he is a trekker at the core and arranges amazing trekking expeditions. Coincidentally has the same name as mine. It was decided that we would climb the Alang, Madan and Kulang Forts. The troika of three peaks situated in Nashik District in the state of Maharashtra. The forts known for their magnificence where built during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj the rugged entirety of the forts stands tall braving the ravages of time.

Starting in the night Pranav and I got on the train leaving for Kasara. The train was filled with people in all corners, it moved out of the Thane station steadily as we found Sanket and others sitting in the compartment. I stood in the compartment finding my inch of space among the crowd as Pranav found him somewhere. I could feel a strange hollowness in my stomach. I knew I didn’t like heights. But there would be ropes and harnesses I had been telling myself. Don’t think these thoughts this will make you look sullen, I told myself. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, I thought. Let’s go with the flow.

We reached Kasara late in the night. The streets wore a deserted look. Occasional bark of a stray dog shattered the silence of the night as we walked in the darkness of the underground tunnel. Coming outside the tunnel we could see two jeeps waiting for us. After a short round of introduction, we got into the jeep and headed towards Samrad, the base village. The road was narrow and had no street lights, the headlights of the jeep pierced through the endless darkness of the night.

It was three thirty as we reached Samrad. The place to stay was a small eatery. It was a hut made out of wood, cement, and bricks. Getting of the jeep I could feel the winter chill. A guy from the hut came outside. He said, “Hi Sanket, How was the journey?” “It was good,” Sanket said. “Come inside it is too cold out there.” He said. “Guys you can sleep and take rest. We will have our breakfast at 7:00 am and start our trek.” I got my sleeping bag out, curling myself inside it I slept through the night. It was already sunrise as I woke up. I went outside I could see Pranav clicking photos, Sanket was arranging our breakfast.

At seven thirty in the morning, we formed a circle in front of the hut after having our breakfast of Kande Pohe. Sanket briefed us about the trek giving us the necessary details and advice. The fifteen of us headed towards the triad of Alang, Madan, and Kulang. We crossed through mist-laden paddy fields. Dipping our shoes wet in the stream, we walked over small pebbles and stones that were present beneath the clear water.

We entered the dense patch of the forest at the base of Alang. We walked through the woods crossing many trees and went deep into the jungle. Somewhere long away, people are doing sensible things watching cricket, going shopping and meeting their girlfriends. I could see the Alang fort standing tall at 4500ft built atop the hills, staring balefully back at me reflecting nothing but the question – Why?

I feel humble in front of the humongous mountain that is a part of the Sahyadri Range. The rugged mountain of black rock exudes grace and beauty. Sahyadri is known for its tough exterior and gentle and green forest cover is like a mother who is gentle at the core, and tough on the outset. She takes care of her unruly and wayward kid, teaching him some tough lessons but at the end of the day loves him.

The sun shone brightly in the sky as we pushed forward. Taking regular intervals to drink water and keep ourselves hydrated. The curvy path took us through the jungle. It was twelve in the noon as we reached the top of the Alang fort. The huge plateau has two caves and eleven water cisterns. Exploring the plateau I could see the reminiscence of old structures. The panoramic view from the fort was breath taking. In the east, Kalsubai and Aundh fort can be seen at a distance. Harihargadh, Trimbakgadh and Anjaneri gadh are its adjacent neighbors. Down south one can see Harishchandragadh, Ratangadh, and Ajoba gadh. We had our lunch inside the cave, Rohidas and Tulsidas had prepared a lip-smacking combo of Zunka-Bhakri. It was spicy and equally tasty. I polished off a plateful with a tongue tickling mango pickle. After lunch, we rested for a while in the cold interior of the cave.

We started our descend, the steps down the hill were steep and completely exposed, I could see the fall 4500ft down the hill. I felt a lump in my throat and the same hollowness in the stomach. I couldn’t command my knees anymore. I turned sideways and spread my hands across the black rock of Sahyadri. My palms touched the rugged and solid exterior of the black rock, finding a grip to ascend. As I took my first step down I could feel a tender touch of care and support helping me traverse the difficult patch.

After coming down, a fifty feet rappelling portion was waiting for us. “I have never done any rappelling,” I said. “Good then do it now,” Sanket said as he tied my harness to the rope. My heart was beating faster. I took a step towards the depth. Fear had gripped me as heart thudded inside the ribcage. “Take a deep breath. Let it all go.” Sanket said. I could see the fall beyond. “Keep yourself ninety degrees to the rock,” Sanket shouted. When you are in a tough spot you want to run away, in a fight you want to run away from your foes, you want to run away from the resistance, but when we fight resistance we are in war with death, and there is no place to runway. Stay strong my heart. Lean where your fears are there in lies your peace. I leaned back and could see the sky blue. I let the rope pass through the biley and traverse the depth slowly and steadily. I felt gratified as I came down.

“Good, Now be ready for the climb,” Sanket said as he came down rappelling. There was a steep fall towards our left, we kept walking keeping ourselves to extreme right. We reached the climbing spot as the sun was setting in the background leaving behind its vermilion hue in the sky. Everyone was going ahead but an uncle from the other group was scared to death and wouldn’t go up. “No it’s too tough, I won’t make it,” he said. “Sir, it's getting late in the evening we have to make the climb before dark.” The guide said. Midway through the climb as he was climbing gingerly he lost the grip of his bag, and his bag went tumbling down the hill. He made it to the top some how. I kept staring the top as I was next in the line. With my heart beating in my ribs I held the rope and took a deep breath.