On top of KA - Mullayanagiri - Mullappaswamy temple
We reached Mullayanagiri peak in quick time and made way to the temple at the peak. The Mullappaswamy temple on the peak is the highest point on the mountain. We went to the temple and sought blessings from the deity and then started to discuss and debate the routes. We had a map and compass with us and we wanted to make full use of it (although it was of no use
. It was misty and foggy all the time). We took a heading on our compass and set off on the trek. By this time the other group of trekkers had reached the peak and were starting the trek to Bababudangiri. This time we were to have company all the way to Bababudangiri.
Charting our course inside the temple and the local resident also joining us in the discussion and giving his inputs. That did not come free though, we had to give him half a pack of biscuits
The only Leech bite for the whole trek (or so we thought)
After all the discussions and debates, we finally left the temple and started the long trek to Bababudangiri. The initial path is quite steep and slippery. The Bababudan Hills are covered in mist for almost the whole of monsoon and it is always wet. One way, this is good for trekkers since there won’t be a hot sun to trouble them, but on the other hand, the visibility will be very bad and it is easy to lose your way.
The steep path through the rocks
Bad visibility
Getting down on a slippery slope
Wild shrubs growing all over the slope
Another mist covered trail
By this time, we had caught up with the other group of trekkers.
We stopped to have lunch at Kavikalgandi view point. But, as luck would have it, it started rain again (I loved it) and we had to look for shelter to eat lunch. There was a bus stop on the road and we headed towards it. Kavikalgandi is a place where the road crosses the Bababudangiri ridge from one side to the other side. It is actually a mountain pass, if I can say it so.
In the screenshot from wiki, the yellow lines are the roads and the blue line is the ridge (and the trek route).
At the bus stop, we had a quick lunch (chapattis and chutney powder) and started off along with the other guys.
This was how difficult it was to put on our raincoats. We had to take help from each other to put them on!!!
We moved on for about 10 mins when we stopped. There was no road ahead!!! This was where we had stopped during our last trek. We simply did not know where to go. We actually headed back trekked on the road till it rained heavily and caught a bus to Bababudangiri. But, this time, we were determined to find a way. Luckily for us, one guy in the other group had trekked this route before and knew the way. So, we just followed him.
But, the route he was taking was so scary
, that we were having thoughts about turning back. We had to climb over huge rocks which were slippery and steep. One wrong step and we would be down the mountain. And to top it up, we were carrying very heavy backpacks on our backs which added to the problems.
Climbing the rocky terrain
As we were climbing up, I noticed something moving in the grass next to me. I was startled when I saw this next to me
This dog had been following us all the way from Mullayanagiri. We thought it could not get through those rocks, but somehow it managed to accompany us all the way to Manikyadhaara Falls in Bababudangiri.
It was so windy on the ridge, that one loose raincoat could have led you off-balance and plummet into the rocks below.
Check out the slope. That platform was the only place where we could stand. We had to crawl on that to get ahead.
The dog was totally chilled out and always waited for us before it went ahead.
Another scary climb. The spot where I took this photograph had a very scary descent.
An example of how windy it was
Still climbing precariously. It was very very slippery!!!
The dog could access places where we couldn’t go.
Continued......