First Trek of the Season.(KARNALA)...Unsuccessful :(

I had never expected it. ....but unfortunately it has happened.....

I always thought of Karnala fort as a easy place to climb. I would have completed it before, but kept on postponing it. The reason for postponing was that all internet sites say - it is a easy trek and can be completed in one day. And apart from this, this place is very near to Chitu's home. So I was kind of planning to go for this one while visiting Mumbai with him (In his indica of course ;-) ).

But now as I am in Mumbai (of course after resigning Godrej :) ), I was spending my second weekend here. My roommate left for paragliding, leaving his bike with me(Pulser 200 man :D). Bike was shouting loudly and was asking me for a ride. So hastily I turned the pages of travelling magazine "Mumbai 52 weekends", net surfing for about 2-3 hours and few calls here and there I fixed my "date" with Karnala.

Karnala is about 65 kms from Mumbai. I started around at 6 am, stopped at petrol pump to fill petrol. Considering average of 200 cc to be around 35 km/litre, 4 litres were more than sufficient. I was all set to go, but I had no idea about the road route. I live in Andheri and bus no. 523 and 524, directly go to Vashi from here. Previous night I thought of following one of these buses, coincidently as I started my engine I saw Bus no. 523 just in front of me passing by the road. So this way I started my journey following this bus.

I followed it till Powai but unfortunately lost it from there. Anyhow I decided to reached Vashi with the help of signboards and using my sixth sense :D. From Vashi I went to Panvel and then reached Karna in about 2 hours. As it was early morning, climate was very pleasant and I enjoyed the ride. I was very cautious while driving as I have not drived 200 cc bike before and moreover I didn't want "bund" to fire me :P. The route from Vashi to Panvel was quite confusing and even people having walks beside the street have no idea of the same. But thanks to all Auto walas and Taxi walas that I reached my destination - "Karnala Sanctuary"

As I was alone and I had fear about sth happening to bike, I took it along with me to inside of sanctuary. Some bikes were parked near the staff quarter, it was not looking safe but I had no other choice. So I parked my bike and started the trek. As I told you earlier I was taking this trek as an easy one, I started it without any guidance. It was totally an unplanned move and I didn't expected any problem while trekking. I was not carrying anything with me, no water, no food, nothing. But haan I had Airtel connection with me :D.

I took a trail and started walking, I had no idea where this trail will lead me to. I walked for about 15-20 minutes and noticed that trail was taking me away from the "thumb" of Karnala fort. But as I had no clue, I kept on walking. Trail was very confusing and I was getting very worried my bike as well, so I decided to go from one steep trail. But it ended somewhere in the middle, so I came back and again started moving ahead. After 10-15 minutes I found a much clear side trail moving away from main path. I was kind of sure that this will take me to peak. I started it well, but suddenly I reached place where the climb was full of "muram" (slippery mud, small pebbles). It had no vegetation on it and even no sign of rocks. The inclination of around 60 degree, as I covered such paths earlier I decided to move ahead. But there was lot of difference between what I had done and what I started, the main difference was absence of good "support".

I somehow climbed half of the path, but suddenly my leg slipped. It was the first time when I struck my mind that I was in danger. Problem was I was not able to take a good hold(grip) of anything. Once I even inserted my hand and black ants was all over my hand. I could have climbed up, but it was very clear that I was in the wrong track and may face more problem ahead. And if unfortunately I slipped again, it would had been difficult for me to hold myself. Combining all these fear I also had "bike" in my mind. So I decided to go back very slowly and patiently I moved downwards. Believe it was lot more tougher than climbing up. As I came down via different path, main trail was missing, now I was really scared (hindi mein meri "phat li thi"). Sun was getting harsher and I had not eaten/drink anything for so long.

As Karnala is near to highway, so I decided to keep moving believing that I will reach somewhere. Luckily I found a new trail, following it I reached the main trail after some time. As I was already late and worried about the bike I started moving fast and after 30 minutes!!! of walking reached staff quarters.

After taking some rest, I saw a map on a board. It made me realized mistake I have done. It was very clear that there were two paths to reach Karnala. One was simple and was only 3 km long(that means not more than 30 minutes for me). Other was through steep trail which starts from very near to main trail. I missed it and kept on walking in the wrong direction.

I have already decided to go back for this next week, without bike of course. This time I will do it via both the paths. The easy one and as well as the one which "defeated" me.

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Ashish