Alang-Madan Trek with Trekmates- 15-16 January 2011

मला पहिल्यापासूनच निसर्गाची, गड-दुर्गांची ओढ आहे. त्यांच्या सानिध्यात गेलो कि मी सगळं विसरून जातो, स्वतःला सुद्धा. पायाच्या ऑपरेशन नंतर बरोबर एक वर्षाने पुन्हा दुर्ग भ्रमणाची इच्छा उफाळून वर येऊ लागली. मी लगेचच माहित असलेल्या सर्व ट्रेकिंग ग्रुप न भेटी दिल्या. या आठवड्यात कुठे न कुठे तरी जायचेच हे ठरवून माहिती गोळा करू लागलो. त्याच दिवशी माझा मित्र निलेश पाटील चा मेसेज मला आला. त्याच्याच TrekMates India या ग्रुप तर्फे "अलंग- मदन" ला जायचे ठरले होते. निलेश स्वतःच नेतृत्व ( lead ) करणार असल्याने मी निर्धास्त मनाने नाव नोंदवून टाकले आणि ट्रेक च्या दिवसाची वाट बघू लागलो. आणि.........तो दिवस उजाडला. आवश्यक ते सामान, पाणी बरोबर घेतले. १४/१/२०११ शुक्रवारी रात्री निघालो. शेवटच्या कसारा ट्रेन ने जायचे होते. ४-५ जण आधीपासूनच तेथे उभे होते. त्यांना जॉईन झालो. ट्रेन अगदी वेळेवर आली. ट्रेक ला जाणारे सर्वजण (28 जण) एकाच डब्यात चढलो. १५ जानेवारीला सकाळी ३ वाजता कसारा स्टेशन ला उतरलो. येथून पुढे गाडीने "आंबेवाडी" पर्यंत जायचे होते. ३ गाड्या तयारच होत्या. सामान भरून लगेच निघालो. थंडीचा कडाका आता चांगलाच जाणवायला लागला होता. वाटेत गरम चहा पिऊन आम्ही ४.३० ला आंबेवाडीलाला पोहोचलो. पहिल्याच दृश्याने आमची उत्सुकता वाढली. समोरच कळसुबाई, अलंग, मदन आणि कुलंग गड आमच्या स्वागताला उभे होते.

उतरल्यावर झटपट सगळ्यांशी ओळख करून झाली (Introduction Round). नाश्त्याच्या पिशव्यांचे वाटप झाल्यावर ६.०० वाजता चालायला सुरुवात केली. पूर्वेला तांबडे फुटले होते आणि वाटेवरचे अंधुक अंधुक दिसायला लागले.

गाव संपवून दाट झाडीतल्या पायवाटेने जायला लागलो. हिरव्यागार झाडीतून चालताना वेगळाच आनंद मिळत होता. ९.३० ला आम्ही आमच्या पहिल्या मुक्कामी पोचलो. खिंडी जवळच्या गुहेमध्ये बसून भरपेट नाश्ता केला.

वेळ फुकट न घालवता सामान तेथेच ठेवून पुढे निघालो कारण "मदन गड" आम्हाला खुणावत होता. 

मदनगडा कडे जाणाऱ्या वाटा अरुंद आहेत. थोड्या पायऱ्या चढून गेल्यावर एके ठिकाणी, एका बाजूला कडा मध्ये दीड-दोन फुट जागा आणि दुसऱ्या बाजूला २००० फुट खोल दरी अश्या अवघड जागी आलो. (Tough traverse on Madangad) प्रत्येक पाउल सांभाळून टाकत सर्वजण पुढे आलो. परत काही अरुंद जिने चढल्यावर ४० फुट उभा कातळ (rock patch-40 feet) समोर आला. गावातला मार्गदर्शक, निलेश आणि त्याचे सहकारी यांनी रोप बांधून ठेवले होते. सूचना पाळून व थोड्या मदतीने हे आयुष्यातले पहिलेच Rock climbing पूर्ण केले. आता मला घाई लागली होती ती गडाचा माथा गाठण्याची.

तसं पहिले तर गड खूप छोटा आहे. तासाभरात संपूर्ण गड पाहून होतो. अरुंद पायऱ्या, गुहा, पाण्याच्या टाक्या आणि माथ्यावरून दिसणारे अलंग-कुलंग व डोंगर रांगा हे अप्रतिम दृश्य यामुळे " मदन गड " चांगलाच लक्षात राहिला. दुपारी २ वाजता परत खाली उतरू लागलो. ४ वाजता परत गुहेमध्ये येऊन पोटभर खाऊन घेतले व अलंग कडे निघालो.

अलंग गड :

अलंगचा पहिला २५ फुटाचा Rock patch सर्वांनी सहज पार केला. आता मात्र सर्वांचा कस लागणार होता. ५० फुट उभा कडा आम्हाला आव्हान देत उभा होता( Rock patch 2 - 50 feet ). पुन्हा एकदा रोप लागले. सूर्य मावळला होता. एक एक करून सर्वांना वर ओढून घेण्यात आले. रात्री ८.३० ला मी गडावर पोहोचलो. टिपूर चांदण्यात चालताना खूप मजा येत होती.

अलंग वरची गुहा खूप प्रशस्त आहे. १००-१२५ माणसे तिच्यात सहज राहू शकतात. यातल्याच एका सपाट जागेवर चटई टाकून आराम केला. तासाभरात सारा थकवा कुठच्याकुठे पळाला. गुहेतून बाहेर येऊन गड निरखू लागलो. चांदण्यातही गड पाहताना, केलेल्या श्रमांचे चीज झाल्याची भावना मनाला सुखावत होती. वर अफाट आकाश पसरलं होतं. रात्र संपूच नये असा वाटत होतं. आता वेळ झाली होती जेवणाची. अपूर्व आणि ग्रुप ने झटपट व चविष्ट बिर्याणी बनवली. सगळ्यांनीच त्यावर ताव मारला. भरपेट जेवण आणि जोडीला थंडी यामुळे झोप कधी लागली हे कळले सुद्धा नाही.

सुदैवाने मला पहाटे लवकरच जाग आली. सूर्योदयाला अजून थोडा अवकाश होता. पायवाटा, डोंगर सारेच अंधुक दिसत होते. ४-५ जण माझ्याही आधी उठून वर चढून जाताना दिसले. मी पण लगेचच त्यांच्या मागोमाग गेलो. मला सूर्योदय चुकवायचा नव्हता. हळूहळू अंधाराचा पडदा वर उचलला गेला.रातकिड्यांचा किर्र sssss आवाजही थांबला. भंडारदरा जलाशया वरती सोनेरी छटा आली.                                                                                                   

                          

मी ज्या क्षणाची आतुरतेने वाट पाहत होतो तो क्षण आला. सूर्याने दाट धुक्यातून अलगद मान बाहेर काढली. किती सुंदर दृश्य होते ते ! केवळ अवर्णनीय ! मी मुकेपणाने त्या क्षणाचा आस्वाद घेत होतो. स्मरणात जितके साठवता येईल तितके साठवत होतो.

सूर्य थोडासा वर आल्यावर भंडारदरा जलाशय वितळलेल्या सोन्यासारखा झगमगू लागला.कॅमेरा जवळ नसल्याने हे क्षण केवळ माझ्या आठवणींमध्ये बंदिस्त झाले.

उजेड वाढल्यावर किल्ला पाहायला चालू केले. गडाचा आकार अवाढव्य आहे. C आकाराचा हा किल्ला पाहता क्षणीच ओळखू येतो. गडाच्या वरील भागात एक भग्न सभागृह, पाण्याच्या टाक्या, गुहा, शिलालेख व काही पडझड झालेले अवशेष दिसतात. मदनगडा प्रमाणे या गडाचाही फारसा इतिहास उपलब्ध नाही. संशोधनास मात्र प्रचंड वाव आहे.

   

Trekking च्या निमित्ताने का होईना आपण आपल्या इतिहासातील मौल्यवान ठेव्याकडे बघतोय हेही नसे थोडके.

अविस्मरणीय अनुभव साठवून परत खाली गुहेत आलो. बरेच जण अजून आळस झटकत होते. ताजेतवाने झाल्यावर आयते "maggi noodles" समोर आल्यावर आनंद द्विगुणीतच झाला. पाणी भरायच्या निमित्ताने बाहेर पडून अक्खा गड परत पाहून घेतला, आठवणींमध्ये कायमचा कोरून ठेवला.

दुपारी २ वाजता परतीच्या वाटेवर लागलो. त्याच ५० फुटाच्या Rock Patch वरून दोरीच्या सहाय्याने खाली उतरलो ( Rappelling ). ५.३० ला गावात आमच्या गाईड च्या घरी चहा घेऊन गाडीत जाऊन बसलो. मी त्या टेम्पो च्या बाहेर लटकणेच पसंत केले. टेम्पो ने वेग घेतला तसे तसे गडांपासून दूर जाऊ लागलो. पुन्हा एकदा भेटण्याची मनोमन प्रतिज्ञा करून, एका वळणावर अलंग आणि मदन चा मी निरोप घेतला.

Technical Information :

Base village: Ambewadi District : Nashik

Alang gad: Height- 4500 feet approx.

Madan gad: Height- 4900 feet approx.

For more photos visit:  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=284645&id=707138515&l=0a5b780a38

- Udayraj Sathe, Thane.

TMI Trek to Alang- Madan on 15th- 16th Jan '11.

Way back in manali, we planned for this trek. The plans and the dates were discussed with Vikram around a month ago; a few members got a slight hint about the plan and had confirmed their names for the event.

The event was put up on the net around 18-20 days prior to the main event, and it was decided that two technical ppl (myself and Vikram) will be handling this event... I was at my ease, as Vikram was to accompany and so it would have been easier to manage a group of 25 ppl together... We extended ourselves and agreed to take a response of 30.

But 2 days prior, Vikram got a project and got busy with his job. Now it was me, and me alone for the event... I surely had supporting hands of Apurva, Dilesh, Swapnil, yogesh, Manoj, Zeenat, Ravi, and other new members, but I still was a bit worried about the technical support... every one among these had technical knowledge, as they had already helped conducting waterfall Rappelling at vihi, but still I was a bit tensed.

The registrations were stopped at 30, and a few last moment cancellations took the count to 27.
Starting from home on Friday night, after a good dinner (chicken curry), we went till the station, to meet a few more already waiting there.

My list now showed 27, but the counting said it is 28.... Counted again, still one person extra??? Who is it?? How come?? We were amazed to see 1 more member joining us without registrations. Anyways, he was welcomed for the event.

My bag now weighed about 23-25 kgs, a normal weight for a trekker, in normal situation. But I was trekking after around 2 months, and the two months gap never saw me working out on my stamina. And the bag... I was with my fully loaded trek bag after a year.

3.00 AM: We got down from the local at the last stop, Kasara, where the jeeps were just waiting for us. Got in to the jeeps and started our journey towards Ambewadi, the base village for Alang –Madan -Kulang.

4.30 AM: we reached Ambewadi, the bags were unloaded from the vehicle roof, Introduction
round took place, the instructions were given, the breakfast packets were distributed, and the entries for the trek at the base village were done, and the trek started.

HINT for first timers: start as early as you can. And if the group is 20+, 6 am is a good time.

6.30 AM: Everyone started the move towards the forts. Some enthusiasts found it an easy climb, whereas a few were panting their way up. However 9.30 am saw everyone at the cave. It was a good time according to me to start for our next sessions... the one which I am best at..... EATING. I asked everyone to have a quick brunch as we would get late to return for lunch.

10.00 AM: we started our march towards Madangad from the traverse till the col. And then the tough open traverses of Madangad.

HINT: For any newbie, I would suggest not to attempt this traverse alone, try it only with experienced ppl around. Ropes and equipments are must for a safe climb.

Further we reached the rock patch where our guide had already ascended. I was the next person to climb, and I did so. It took me hardly a minute to do so... now this is an imp part when you are leading a group... make it look as easy as possible. This encourages others to face the challenge easily.

I climbed up the patch, the ropes were set, and the support belay was ready. Now it was time for others to climb... and so they started one by one... some left their shoes, some left down their jackets, and now there was a guy who left down his glasses... “Oh they are so heavy; I can’t climb with that extra weight.” Right Nikhil?

Climb on, explore the fort, and come back for Rappelling... this was the prog... but I saw a few crying faces, for their shoes. “Oh I won’t be able to walk...”and all.... however the shoes were pulled up the patch, where one shoe belonging to Mr Amod Ikhe left the group. I knew this is going to be a problem for me now.

The rappelling session started by 2.30 pm, and continued till 4.00. After rappelling I had to remove the ropes, coil them and move back to Alang. And I did so with only one shoe. Had already gave my shoes to Amod, and now it was time for me to go slowly, looking out for stones, thorns, etc on the way.

I, Ravi, Yogesh and Zeenat were the last to move out from that place... there were a few discussions on what next, few expert comments, and a few expectations. However the expectations failed very badly, when we heard that the other rope that was sent further for the next rock patch was not enough, and so a very few people had now climbed the fort. Now we had to hurry towards the Alang patch for the ropes now.

We reached the alang patch, but took a few spare minutes to full our tummies, as we all were having an idea about what is coming next. Next I reached the patch, climbed it and then others were pulled up one by one... every member of the group played their own expert role at this crucial time, and so the climbing was completed by 10.30.

HINTS:
1. This is a risky technical rock patch and one needs a regular rock climbing practice to ascend this.
2. No wood on the top of the fort, so you need to get along with you, from below the patch itself. Or even a gas cylinder can work for a smaller group.
3. A slippery patch with exposure on one side follows the rock patch. It needs to be climbed very carefully.

Reaching the top we went directly to the cave, and the food preparation started. The best person for the same was Apurva Bhasagare, accompanied by his assistants, Jhanvi and Komal.
No idea about others but I loved the food. Thanks Apu and the assistants for the delicious biriyani. Later it took me hardly 10 mins for the further instructions, and I was fast asleep by 12.30.

Wake up at 9 am, a quick exploration of the fort, Maggie and then the Chai in the morning was enough to freshen up things, and gear up for the forthcoming rappelling session. The first few people to rappel were those who would take time to trek down till the base village. With few good trekkers and our guides they started their descend by 1.30. the others followed them and the last group with experienced ones started at 4.30... it was 16th Jan, and we had our Marathon from Alang till the base village to be the first ones to reach the base village (not to forget my one shoe and one floater condition).

We had to skip our lunch here, as we would have missed our train otherwise, and so we had just some tea and biscuits, and started our journey back... it was full fun to sing Hindi and Marathi songs in the return journey... the drive till Kasara station was so awesome. Thanks to the driver who had put in all his efforts and helped us get the train. Had some snacks in the train, and continued our masti and the journey. Amod Still has some extra snack packets in his bag... Right Amod??

Reached home by 10.45....
(actually this travelogue of mine should end here, but the following sentence is for a few foodies out there, who surely are going to comment very badly on the same. right Adhar?)
Reached home by 10.45, and enjoyed fried lollypops, prawns, and then chicken curry for dinner.

Lastly apologies for the Sunday’s lunch, and other mistakes (if any).

Thanks every member on the event for a great company and support.

Thanks and Regards,
Nilesh Patil
Team TMI.