The sweltering heat and intense humidity at Mangalore prevented us from venturing into the wilderness for almost a month. The concern is mainly that trekkers become water guzzling machines in such climatic conditions. From past experiences, we have observed that any amount of water we carry, always proves to be insufficient. The dehydration caused by intense sweating and thirst results in muscle cramps which then makes even an easy trek seem difficult. We needed to trek to a place where we would find our need for water addressed, at least upto some extent.
Kepping all of the above in mind, when we finally decided to hit the roads again, it was to Arishina Gundi - a waterfall situated in the depths of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary near Kollur. At Kollur, we also took the necessary permissions from the RFO and made arrangements for lunch. The way to Mookambika wildlife sanctuary passes through the buzzing streets that lead to the Sri Mookambika Devi Temple - Kollur's most famous landmark.
Start of the trek - Mokambika Wildlife Sanctuary.
We started through the Mookambika Sanctuary gate .The trek to Arishina Gundi was supposed to be a long walk, albeit on a flat jeep trail. The last kilometer was to be a steep descend. Initially it looked to be pretty easy. It was only after we started walking that we realized how "long" the long walk was.
The jeep trail inclined upwards... most of the times steadily and sometimes suddenly. This is one of those trails which tests your patience. You walk on and on with the only challenge being your fight against gravity to walk on an incline. It is one of those mundane trails which gradually seeps out your energy and makes you ponder about the purpose of undertaking this journey. Sooner or later, such trail makes every trekker feel like he/she is going through torture!
The never ending jeep trail.
We were told that we would need to enter the forest to our left and take a steep descend to reach the falls. We encountered many lefts on the way which led into the forest and every time we felt that "this might be the one". But Malur who had visited the place earlier spoke of a board announcing the arrival of the correct left. We trusted in him and kept walking on the seemingly never ending trail.
It was Malur who reached the sign board first and started screaming from there. We heard his distant voice and rushed ahead, relieved that the ordeal will come to an end when Malur comes into sight! And sure enough, tiredness left us when we saw the signboard pointing left into the forest said 'Way to Arishina Gundi Falls'. We halted briefly here waiting for our fellow trekkers to join us and then rushed down on the steep slope, happy to hear the rhythm that is created when water plays around rocks!
The signboard at last!
It was still a quite a distance from the signboard, but the mundaneness of the path was gone. Some more minutes of dodging fallen tree trunks, climbing over rocks and navigating along narrow slopes, we finally reached Arishina Gundi!
On the last leg of our journey!
Arishina Gundi is a treat to the eyes after all that struggle to get to it. The plunge pool made by Arishina Gundi Falls is quite deep. The depth goes upto 30 feet in the centre. You cannot get into the falls if you visit just after monsoon as the water force is too much. During monsoons, it is advisable to avoid this trek mainly because of the last kilometer after the signboard, which will become extremely slippery and leech infested. We visited during late summer, hence the water was calm - waiting for the raingods to make it powerful again.
Arishina Gundi at last!
Reaching the flowing water was again a challenge for the non-swimmers. This time a much bigger challenge than the Onake Hebbe, as we were uncertain of the depth and one wrong move could prove to be dangerous. Those who could swim went into the water stream and started enjoying the bliss of being under a waterfall. The non-swimmers sat there staring, resolving to join swimming classes soon or get a life jacket the next time they trek to a waterfall!This time it was Balaji who showed the way to the non-swimmers. He found a way along the edge which was not very deep and had enough holds for a person to reach the water stream without needing to swim. Hannan was the first daredevil non-swimmer who attempted to take this way and cautiously reached the falls. Emboldened by Hannan's feat, the others followed suit helped by Malur, Balaji, Hannan and Nachiket.
How the non-swimmers reached the stream...
Soon the entire Gypsy gang was under the waterfall and were elated at their achievement. This excitement showed in the way the Gypsies got themselves photographed, under the falls, in various dance styles - including our very own Gypsy style!
The famed Gypsy pose.
It was then time for a lunch consisting of chapatis with cheese spread, jam and namkeen rounded off with buttermilk and bananas. This was followed by some fun which came in the form of double ententres initiated by Charan and carried ahead by Anindya!
How well do you know the Puma logo?
Spot the difference!
Diving into the depths - Malur
Diving into the depths: Abhilash
On his way to Fetch spring water - Anindya
On his way to Fetch spring water - Balaji
Very soon, we were set to go back, the same way we came. The descend we took while coming was now a very steep ascend. We struggled for 40 minutes to reach the signboard. Once there everyone threw down their backpacks and dropped down trying to get a hold on the heart beat and the breath! After this, we were on the long jeep trail again, hoping it should not seem so long as it seemed while coming. We were mistaken. It seemed to be precisely as long as it felt when getting to Arishina Gundi! It felt good though, to think of all that we experienced after all that struggle!
The victorious gypises!
Missing in this pic - Charan, the photographer.
When: 25th May, 2013.
With: Karthik Malur, Nitin Shettigar, Anindya Das, Deepak, Prachi Bhosale, Nachiket Velankar, Charan Walke, Gayatri Holla, Aditi Vishwasrao,Hannan Shaikh, Balaji Mohan, Madhu Ramaya, Abhilash Desai.
