Western Ghat Expedition

IronWolf · 1st February 2010, 20:08

I am glued to this thread now.

The schedule below seems quite mind boggling. Do we have folks who know this terrain and trail?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

Monday - OTR Coorg
Tuesday - OTR Mangalore
Wednesday - OTR Belgaum
Thursday - OTR Goa

...

Effectively in 5 Years we will know the OTR Trails in and out and then mount a full fledged expedition.

Regards,
Arka

These trails around 100km distances also seem very enriching.

We could consider these as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Some of the approximate distances are indicated against each sector below:

Kollam-Schencottah, < 100 kms
Theni-Thekkady-Kanjirapalli, <150 kms
Kattapana-Idukki-Thodupuzha, <100 kms
Thekkady-Munnar, 110 kms
Munnar-Kodaikanal (OTR), 90 kms
Pollachi-Valparai-Chalakudy, <150 kms
Mannarkad-Anakatti-Coimbatore-Manjoor-Ooty, <100 kms
Gudalur-Cherambadi-Kalpetta, <100 kms

Coorg to Goa is personally little unnerving for me.

Vehicle reliability
Unknown terrains
Number of vehicles (more potential for vehicles getting stuck and delayed)
5 days out doors

Inspite of all this will most probably be there.

Count me in. Glued to this thread.

DKG · 1st February 2010, 21:22

Just opening up options for us:

A friend has consented to loan us use of his plantation house at Chikmagalur as base camp should we opt to consider that as one

Beejay, great suggestion. In the US guys would run marathons, Harley rides for causes as diverse as muscular dystrophy, to save the whales to just about anything.

Here we could consider something for Save the Tiger or forest conservation or some species that may be endangered in that particular forest.

Lets see how this evolves. I do agree that this cuts well with the government agencies in terms of permissions.

Whitemm550 Arka too suggested the Belgaum-Goa route. Do please share your views on possibilities.

We need more ideas and participation in this thread from offroaders from the region as their inputs are more vital to working the event modalities out.

Arka just a thought, lets go along with your suggesiton of a week long program of atleast three OTR's. Lets say someone can't do it all they can opt for OTR 1,2, or 3 or a combination. So you have people doing the whole shebang or one or two OTR's based on their time and zest levels. If we can get a core group of atleast 5 Jeeps to commit to doing the full event, then slowly more and more people will do the full journey. Also we need to build in a level of endurance requirement so for years the event will pose challenges and keep drawing people back.

Also when you have a journey from one place to another through offroad trails there's a objective to doing all three OTR's. Otherwise people will feel you do one you've done it all kind of thing. But when its a journey from say Belgaum to Goa or the routes HVK and Beejay are talking about the pleasure of accomplishing the feat has greater drive and the multiple OTR's fall into place

Blue Thunder · 1st February 2010, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKG

...plan something for August this year?...

TPC is usually in August each year.

DKG · 1st February 2010, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

TPC is usually in August each year.

Late July? Ideally if we hit the ghats before the rains wash out the roads it would be ideal from an out of towner's perspective. We just need the rains to set in, say about three/four weeks of good rainfall.

Timing is open. Suggestions please

4x4addict · 1st February 2010, 21:52

Very interested in this. I am game.

DKG · 1st February 2010, 22:19

In terms of the route options broadly speaking

1. Belgaum to Goa offroad, Belgaum as base camp

2. Chikmagalur, Thirthahalli and Agumbe triangle. There's a wildlife sanctuary nearby, I think Muttodi. Chikmagalur as base camp

3. Routes recommended by HVK/Beejay namely Manjoor/Upper Bhavani near Ooty. Ooty as base camp

DKG · 1st February 2010, 22:43

Close to Chikmagalur and adjacent to the Muttodi Wildlife Sanctuary is Jungle Greens Home Stay. From a logistics point of view a setup like this would be ideal for our food and stay arrangements (tent accom at Rs 1100/head incl three meals). Unless ofcourse we have friends here who can coordinate arrangements at a different location

the traveller · 1st February 2010, 23:17

DKG - Thats fast - Great !!!!!!
After our conversation the other day i did speak to one of the pollachi jeepers who says he'll be able to get us the permission to go into the Top Slip area that's usually out of bounds.
I've been given to understand that the pollachi area has some awsome trails.
If we do manage this maybe the next stop after ooty could be pollachi /Top slip.

hvkumar · 1st February 2010, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by the traveller

DKG - Thats fast - Great !!!!!!
After our conversation the other day i did speak to one of the pollachi jeepers who says he'll be able to get us the permission to go into the Top Slip area that's usually out of bounds.
I've been given to understand that the pollachi area has some awsome trails.
If we do manage this maybe the next stop after ooty could be pollachi /Top slip.

Traditonally, mobikes are not allowed inside Top Slip/ Parambikulam. Great if you wrangle the permissions. In any case, you can approach this region from Sholayar (Valparai-Chalakudy road) and Nelliampathy (Palakkad District, the other side of Top Slip/Parambikulam)

DKG · 2nd February 2010, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by the traveller

he'll be able to get us the permission to go into the Top Slip area

Nice name, hope it actually represents the terrain !!

There's so much beauty all along the western ghats that I am game for any location.

Let us know more on your thoughts of how/where we could organise the meet

Samurai · 2nd February 2010, 09:35

Great Initative Deepak. I am especially interested since it closely passes near my area.

However, getting permissions will be the key enabler. I have enquired locally with the RO and I was told no way they'll allow civilian vehicles into the jungles. Apparently one needs to get permission at the highest level of forest department. Then there is the STF and naxals. So it is tricky if you want to get off the road in the forests of Udupi district.

shishir_bn · 2nd February 2010, 09:36

I don't know if this is in the plans. Try driving the kodachadri hills with your beast. Pure magic to drive(for off roaders).There is no road actually. It is just filled with boulders/rocks and all the 4 wheels will be on some big rock every sec until you come down/go up the hill. I have seen only mahindra's 4*4 vehicles going there.80% of BHPians might have seen this.

DKG · 2nd February 2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

getting permissions will be the key enabler

Most of these forests have ancient temples hidden deep inside. Usually the forest dept allows use of trails to lead up to the temples. If we cannot get permissions perhaps this is a workable option?

The Srisailam forest near Hyderabad has many such temples. One such temple, Ishtakameshwari is visited only by Jeeps and there's regular traffic daily of Jeeps ferrying pilgrims to and from the temple. In monsoon the trail should be a riot. Perhaps we could explore such trails.

Another option is to carry some medical supplies/educational books/aids etc for remote villages. If its for a cause we could perhaps officially get sanction. Just thinking aloud

livyodream · 2nd February 2010, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Great Initative Deepak. I am especially interested since it closely passes near my area.

However, getting permissions will be the key enabler. I have enquired locally with the RO and I was told no way they'll allow civilian vehicles into the jungles. Apparently one needs to get permission at the highest level of forest department. Then there is the STF and naxals. So it is tricky if you want to get off the road in the forests of Udupi district.

Depends on the jungle. BTW which jungle or reserve are we talking about? I can try and get some help if possible.

Samurai · 2nd February 2010, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by livyodream

Depends on the jungle. BTW which jungle or reserve are we talking about? I can try and get some help if possible.

Say Someshwara reserve forest, near Agumbe ghat.

View Poll Results: When do we do the Western Ghats Expedition?
July first half	7	18.42%
July second half	13	34.21%
August first half	7	18.42%
August second half	3	7.89%
September first half	2	5.26%
September second half	6	15.79%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

1st February 2010, 21:22	#17
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,711 Thanked: 1,389 Times View My Garage	Just opening up options for us: A friend has consented to loan us use of his plantation house at Chikmagalur as base camp should we opt to consider that as one Beejay, great suggestion. In the US guys would run marathons, Harley rides for causes as diverse as muscular dystrophy, to save the whales to just about anything. Here we could consider something for Save the Tiger or forest conservation or some species that may be endangered in that particular forest. Lets see how this evolves. I do agree that this cuts well with the government agencies in terms of permissions. Whitemm550 Arka too suggested the Belgaum-Goa route. Do please share your views on possibilities. We need more ideas and participation in this thread from offroaders from the region as their inputs are more vital to working the event modalities out. Arka just a thought, lets go along with your suggesiton of a week long program of atleast three OTR's. Lets say someone can't do it all they can opt for OTR 1,2, or 3 or a combination. So you have people doing the whole shebang or one or two OTR's based on their time and zest levels. If we can get a core group of atleast 5 Jeeps to commit to doing the full event, then slowly more and more people will do the full journey. Also we need to build in a level of endurance requirement so for years the event will pose challenges and keep drawing people back. Also when you have a journey from one place to another through offroad trails there's a objective to doing all three OTR's. Otherwise people will feel you do one you've done it all kind of thing. But when its a journey from say Belgaum to Goa or the routes HVK and Beejay are talking about the pleasure of accomplishing the feat has greater drive and the multiple OTR's fall into place Last edited by DKG : 1st February 2010 at 21:40.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 21:52	#20
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,531 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Very interested in this. I am game.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 22:19	#21
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,711 Thanked: 1,389 Times View My Garage	In terms of the route options broadly speaking 1. Belgaum to Goa offroad, Belgaum as base camp 2. Chikmagalur, Thirthahalli and Agumbe triangle. There's a wildlife sanctuary nearby, I think Muttodi. Chikmagalur as base camp 3. Routes recommended by HVK/Beejay namely Manjoor/Upper Bhavani near Ooty. Ooty as base camp Last edited by DKG : 1st February 2010 at 22:21.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 22:43	#22
DKG Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,711 Thanked: 1,389 Times View My Garage	Close to Chikmagalur and adjacent to the Muttodi Wildlife Sanctuary is Jungle Greens Home Stay. From a logistics point of view a setup like this would be ideal for our food and stay arrangements (tent accom at Rs 1100/head incl three meals). Unless ofcourse we have friends here who can coordinate arrangements at a different location Last edited by DKG : 1st February 2010 at 22:51.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 23:17	#23
the traveller BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: chennai Posts: 41 Thanked: 19 Times	DKG - Thats fast - Great !!!!!! After our conversation the other day i did speak to one of the pollachi jeepers who says he'll be able to get us the permission to go into the Top Slip area that's usually out of bounds. I've been given to understand that the pollachi area has some awsome trails. If we do manage this maybe the next stop after ooty could be pollachi /Top slip.
	() Thanks

2nd February 2010, 09:35	#26
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,547 Times View My Garage	Great Initative Deepak. I am especially interested since it closely passes near my area. However, getting permissions will be the key enabler. I have enquired locally with the RO and I was told no way they'll allow civilian vehicles into the jungles. Apparently one needs to get permission at the highest level of forest department. Then there is the STF and naxals. So it is tricky if you want to get off the road in the forests of Udupi district.
	() Thanks

2nd February 2010, 09:36	#27
shishir_bn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,195 Thanked: 120 Times	I don't know if this is in the plans. Try driving the kodachadri hills with your beast. Pure magic to drive(for off roaders).There is no road actually. It is just filled with boulders/rocks and all the 4 wheels will be on some big rock every sec until you come down/go up the hill. I have seen only mahindra's 4*4 vehicles going there.80% of BHPians might have seen this.
	() Thanks