A Night Trek to Chanderi Pinnacle at Badlapur near Mumbai

A Night Trek to Chanderi Pinnacle at Badlapur near Mumbai

Trek: Chanderi Pinnacle Summit Trek

Base village: Chinchvali Badlapur

Height: 2330 ft.

Grade:  Difficult (Technical with rock climbing)

Endurance: Tough

Trek coordinator: Vrangers

Lead climbers: Sudhir Bane

Dates: 10^th February 2019 (Starting on 9^th February 2019 night)

Trekkers: 13 (Irish Pereira, Ramesh Prabhu,  Sambhavi Kulkarni, Swati, Wasim, Tarun, Babita, Ketan Mhatre …)

Chinchvali Village – Map coordinates

Epilogue:

Chanderi pinnacle near Badlapur was long on my list to surmount, however could not complete due to hectic schedule. Also as I prefer joining a reputed group (Vrangers) for such rock climbing and technical treks; as for them safety comes first along with time and discipline. The pinnacle trek is divided into 2 phases; one upto the cave and other from cave to pinnacle summit. One can summit the pinnacle only in non rainy days as in rainy season the rock climbing becomes risky and moreover there is strong wind currents which makes it suicidal then. Most trekkers trek upto the cave.

So when the trek was organized and published by Vrangers and i enrolled to it at the last day as usual due to my unpredictable work schedule. 

The trek:

It was cold winter weekend to begin when we 14 trekkers including trek leads were to meet at Vangani Railway station on central railway at 11:20 Pm on Saturday night.

Due to rush in train at wee hours one of my trek mates missed to board the train and we all have to wait for him at station. Then from the station we started in a Mahindra Maximo traveler and a Rick to accommodate 14 trekkers in all. After a 25 minutes drive consisting of partly smooth and partly rough drive on muddy road we reached the Chinchvali village at 12:50 PM.

There after equipping ourselves with head lamps and torches, we started on the trail towards Chanderi at around 1 Pm.

Night Trek in torch light

It was a chilly night to begin with wherein after a slight ascend of around 20 minutes through dense jungle we reached a plateau. Our plan was to reach caves at the bottom of the Chanderi pinnacle and rest there till morning. Then further our climb on pinnacle in the morning.

The plateau stretches across towards the base of Chanderi and takes around 1 hour of trek on well defined road to reach dried stream. Now from this dried stream begins the actual ascend.

We took 2 short 5 mins breaks each on plateau. In one of the breaks we had an introduction round. The group consisted of experienced trekkers with most having done technical climbs except for one trekker.

Myself  during one of the breaks

Short Break

It was a moony night with star clearly visible. It was deep silence all around except for a intermittent noise of stone crusher in the quarry below the nearby hill. From plateau we could see 2 towering pinnacles before us; the wedge shaped 'Chanderi' and pencil tipped 'Mhaismaal' separated by a valley.

The group was very quick against  expected. After a short descend parallel to stream we took a short break. There was one another group who was also on the same trek. They were ahead on the trek and we could see torches above in the valley ahead of us. After surpassing 2 small waterfalls and steep ascend, we reached the dividing point in the valley known as 'V-point' at around 3:20 AM. The route now forks out in two opposite directions with one towards Chanderi and other towards 'Mhaismaal'. It is the highest point in the valley where other trekking route to Chanderi from Panvel meets at.

At V - Point 

Short break @ V- Point

After short break at that point we started again. Most of us wanted to reach in cave early and spread there as soon as possible to rest. From here the steep incline begins. At some point the incline is around 80 degree with  moderate rock climbing. We also encountered few rock cut steps intermittently. After brisk climb for half an hour we reached the base of pinnacle. From there moving on right for 5 mins on traverse is the cave. We were delighted to see the cave far away for there awaited rest for us. We could see bonfire lit in front of the cave by the other group members. We reached cave by around 4:15 AM.

Bonfire @ Front of Cave

First glimpse of the cave

Myseld - Wrapped in the sleeping bag

There we laid out our sleeping bags and rested until 7:30 Am. Then after finishing the morning chores, we had breakfast of Maggi and tea.  We all were handed our gears (harness, carabiner with tape sling). By the time we were ready it was about 8:30.

Breakfast made ready

As there was another group (Safar Sahyadri) for the climb, the trek leads of both group coordinated the roping across the bolts. We followed the group in the climb. We had left our sleeping bags and other unessential stuffs in the cave itself and carried only water and energizers with us.

Mhaismaal  Pinnacle 

Myself - looking at the panorama

From the cave, one has to traverse around the pinnacle towards east. The traverse has a steep descend patch consisting of scree and loose rocks. One has to be careful on these patches as they are highly exposed. There we had our carabiner in place for safety across safety rope. The way to climb up goes from South Eastern point along the pinnacle.

The traverse as seen from the cave

One of the traverse patch

The complete traverse route

First glimpse of rock structure to be climbed

Sudhir our trek lead was on forefront in the climb. Once the ropes were lined, we started our climb on the rocky structure. The climb is steep at first. There are many rock holds available which makes the climb somewhat easier. 

Rock Climbing with rope support

At one of the rock climbing patch

Trekmates awaiting their turn at one of the Rock patch

Short break 

Mr Ramesh pointing the route through the scree

There are also traces of rock cut steps on the climb.  However the climb is vertical and highly exposed. We took a short break of 15 mins in one of the small rock cut cave like structures. Hence after steep vertical climb on rocks and scree for 45 minutes we made it to the top.

One edge click

Moving towards highest point

The top is plain area with exposed laterals. On the northern end is a Statue of Chattrapati Shivaji placed on a concrete structure. There were rumours that this is bronze statue....so heavy....imagine how could people have taken it up there ? With due to respect to Shivaji Maharaj, the statue is of Plastic fibre and hence light weight. However it is coloured perfectly in bronze; so anyone could fall for such a rumour that it is made of bronze...until you tap it with your finger. So for once the rumours regarding the statue being of bronze were false.

Myself ... pointing towards Mhaismaal

Grabbing the part of Universe

After a recharge break we spend almost an hour clicking photos and videos of the panorama seen from the top. One could see Matheran, Kalavantin -prabalgad, Irshalgad to south and Tahuli pinnacle along with Haji Malang on the North.

Video from the top

Group pic 

There after taking group photo along with Statue at around 11 Am, we started our descend back to the cave. Within 45 minutes we were able to reach the southern point. There we filled our bottles in the water in the rock cut tank. The water is very clear and potable. Within 15 more minutes we made it to the cave at around 12:15 pm.

Potable water cistern - Water availability till March end

There we rested until the last member along with trek leads reached the cave after dismantling the rope setup. We had a multi cuisine lunch around 1:00. After lunch we decided to rest for an hour and start the further descend at 2:30 pm. The aim was to avoid the heat wave in the afternoon.

Lunch at Cave

There after packing all our stuffs, we started the descend around 2:45 pm. The descend was steep along with scree on few patches. After traversing the 2 small waterfalls and following the white arrow marks we reached the plateau. 

Chanderi Pinnacle - North face

The group's speed was consistently maintained as there was man to man marking for slowest member. One of the trek lead was placed with slowest member. We remember one liner being said by Sambhavi jokingly....

"Mazya gudhgyat motha gap padla aahe..." (There is a big gap created in my knee….)

As she was been continuously being dragged by trek lead to keep walking.

A short break in the dried river stream

In one of the breaks along the plateau, when we looked towards Chanderi, the top of pinnacle It appeared so robust and distant from there. So much so that we could hardly believe that we have traversed such a distance along with the height.  

A glimpse of Chanderi from Plateau

Then after long tiring trek along the plateau and few short breaks, we reached our base village (Chinchvali) at around 5:30 pm.

The quarry

What a bloom- Nature's canvas

A dusty village

Waiting for trekmates

Village school

There at the base village our transporters were waiting for us. After boarding hurriedly in the vehicles, we started towards Vangani railway station to catch 5:50 train to CST; only to missed it. Then after boarding a 6:20 pm train we all parted our ways to our home sweet homes. 

Prologue: To sum up it was a memorable climb on one the toughest Pinnacles of Sahyadri with one of the best and craziest trekkers along leaving us with memories to cherish all our lives.

Few points of advice to trekkers planning for this trek:

1) It is difficult grade rock climbing trek with tough endurance....so beginners strictly avoid such trek (Rock climbing and trekking are 2 different things altogether).

2) It is advisable to carry at least 3 liters of water. Alternatively there is a potable water tank available across the traverse with water availability till end March.

3) There is cave that can accommodate maximum of 50 trekkers for night stay. Carry a sleeping bag if possible....

4) The rock patch and the traverse patch to the top are tough and risky; many trekkers have lost their lives attempting without rock climbing safety equipment's. Hence do not try it without proper guide and climbing equipment's. 

About Vrangers:

Founded in February 2009, Vrangers is one of the reputed and fastest growing trekking community with adventure sports. Geared with experienced lead climbers, mentors they arrange for various forms of adventure sports. 

With their rock climbing gears and equipment's, they place utmost importance on safety. Another important attribute of Vrangers is time discipline i.e. timely start of trek and finish which is important for weekend trekkers.

Contact details:

Ananda Govekar: 9892219155

Sudhir Bane: 9167546547

Website: http://www.vrangers.com/

For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Parsi Breakfast @ Cafe SodaBottleOpenerWala, BKC Mumbai

Cafe SodaBottleOpenerWala @ BKC Mumbai

Gastronomic funda:  Parsi Breakfast

Address: The Capital Building, 02, G Block Rd, G Block BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051 (Click for Google map Coordinates)

Gastronomers: Irish Pereira

Damages: INR 

Ambience: 4 /5

Food: 4 / 5

Service: 4 /5

Epilogue: It was a hectic week It was pleasant and cold friday morning to begin with and I had an early morning engagement with one of our customer's in Bandra Kurla complex Mumbai. Having a quick breakfast at restaurant 'Soda bottle opener wala' on my list since long. Now SodaBottleOpenerWala is a one-stop destination for people who are in love with Parsi cuisine. We had been there for lunch earlier during one of customer visits. Hence when I was done with the customer and the 'Soda bottle opener wala' happened to be in the same lane.

In next moment I found myself sitting in almost empty restaurant on a table near front glass facade. The prompt steward handed over the wooden tablet menu with menus printed on both sides.

The Menu Tablet - Front

The Menu Tablet - Back

There looking at menu i was kind of taken back to looking a expected menu missing and checked it again in the menu back and forth; however could not find it. It was 'Mutton Kheema puff' which I was looking. Also missing was 'Cheese Macroni with Bacon'. After inquiring with the steward i was told that these menus dropped from the list along with few other menus lately.

So alternatively after screening the menu decided to settle for Meaty Poro and Irani tea.

There setting i was screening the ambience. 

The interiors

The interiors

The ambience was of typical Irani cafe with palatable to modern taste. There was old hindi classic music being played in background.

........Bijli ki rani....me hu aayi....hawa Hawaii ....

There my sight  caught on a hand board written with chalk as below.

In next few minutes the dish was tabled.

'Meaty Poro'

The 'Meaty Poro' in a first glimpse appeared to me as an oversized puffed omelette. But on closer look it was stuffed with pork ham bits, bacon bits and fried onion. It was accompanied with a buttered soft bun bread, sauced cereals and potato piece topped with cheddar cheese. Omelette coupled crispy bacon bits is always a foodie s delight.

Followed it was 'Irani Chai'. It was a advanced version of tea both quality and quantity wise of tea we get at typical Irani cafes like Merwan and Kyani in South Mumbai; however priced 10 times of the same. But at location like BKC we don't only consider the food served but also the ambience and convenience.

There after concluding the breakfast it was time for me to make up to office at Andheri. I left the cafe with old hindi classic song playing in background ....

....Aate jate, haste gaate....socha tha maine kahi baar....

Prologue: To sum up it was wonderful moment spent pampering ones taste buds with typical Irani breakfast in one of the plush locality of Mumbai.

For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Disclaimer: The above restaurant in review was personally visited by Irish Pereira wherein he has paid for the full bill & does not believe in featured / sponsored reviews. The reviewer believes in anonymously visiting a hotel to present an honest account of all the factors to you.

Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!

Long ride to Tansa Reservoir near Asangaon

Long ride to Tansa Reservoir near Asangaon Maharashtra

Activity: Bike Ride
Location: Tansa Reservoir near Asangaon
Base village: Aaghai Village
Distance: 150 Kms
Riders: Irish Pereira, Stuti Pereira
Map Coordinates: Tansa Reservior

Epilogue: It was a hectic week at office and there was a extreme need to reset on weekend, but was not sure of what can be done. Hence I checked my bucket list for travel ideas. Top on the list came a long ride which was long pending. My brother in law has bought a sport bike which was also dying for long drive i suppose... and hence thought why not burn some rubber. Finally given the timelines, we settled for Tansa Reservoir. It is the same on which Mumbai depends to quench its thirst.

The Ride:

We started at 10:20 from Nalasopara east via Sativali Vasai to start on on the Western Express highway (NH 48). Once on highway, there is no stopping till Mastan naka Manor, from where we took right turn to Wada Shahapur road.

We had a spiritual activity lined up a Kanchad near wada. We reached there at around 11:30 pm. Then after lunch we started again at 2:30 pm on the Wada Shahapur highway towards our destination for the day I.e Tansa Reservoir. The roads are so well maintained and we enjoyed every moment riding. Sparse traffic with good road without speed breakers is a fun every biker will dream of. 

Then after refreshing at Wada junction we started again on Wada shahapur road for nearly 20 kms to reach the Tansa Reservior.

Pipes at Aaghai naka

We reached there by 3:50 pm only to know that the Dam has restricted entry and is not open for visitors and tourists. It comes under jurisdiction of BMC. There are barracks for water department  of BMC. We were very disappointed to know of no entry after the long journey. The local chap was telling other visitor in local marathi dialect....

"..... ओळख असेन नाहीतर परवानगी असेन तरच सोडतीन...."

(....Require contacts or permission to be let on the rervoir..)

...we had none of the both. There are steel barricades preventing visitors from entering into dam area.

Myself - Barricades and the reservoir in the background

We clicked few pics there. There was a cricket ground besides brimming with youths for local tournament. There while on the roads we came across a herd of cows. And we were surprised to see them walking in one line on the corner of the road. It was as if these cows were on the way back home from school and instructed by their headmistress to walk in line with hand tied back.

I feel we humans can learn a lot from animals and nature. Seeing i remembered the announcement made in Mumbai Suburban Local trains.

"....Sabhi Yatri ko binanti he ki .......krupaya qatar me uttare..."

There we decided to explore ("Jugaad" as it called) any alternate route to reservoir. Then inquired with a local chap of any alternate access to reservoir. His vague guidance and google map together ensured we get the access to beautiful view of the Reservoir.

And there we were beholding the water buckets of Mumbai. The view was serene and worth every moment spent in traveling to it. 

Tansa Reservoir

Such tranquil lake view soothes ones nerves from routine urban clatter. There we refreshed ourselves in the cool waters of reservoir as we were burning with heat.  Clicked few pics and bid adeiu to the place. 

This small place is nothing but a village of pipes. Huge pipes line the length and breadth of the area. The same pipes are ones supplying water to cities like Mumbai and nearby suburbs. 

There we passed through backyards of Mahuli Fort. 

Mahuli fort as seen from behind

Then our next pit stop planned was  enroute home at Hot water springs at Akloli near Vajreshwari. It is almost 30 kms from Tansa. There were we vrooming at lighting speed saddled on a mechanical beast on a traffic less road that was lined with pipes on both sides. Fortunately for us the road continued to be in good shape all the way long except few patches near Vajreshwari. There we passed through backyard of Mahuli fort near Asangaon. There we refuelled our beast at Ambadi Naka near Vajreshwari to reach the Akloli springs at 5:30 pm. 

I had visited these hot water wells nearly 20 years before as a kid with my family.  These hot water wells continued to be in bad shape with locals and even visitors soiling it. The locals step in the well to bathe and even was clothes. Sad part is that even local government has never took initiative to maintain the wells. 

We @ Hot water springs at Akloli near Vajreshwari

The brackish appearing water of the hot wells was pretty hot (around 60-70 degrees). We dipped our feets in the hot waters gor few minutes only to pull them out seeing the time. It was at 5:45 pm with the Sun nearing to set and we had decided to reach Vasai before dark.

Hurriedly after taking stock of route we started our journey back home. There enroute  Vajreshwari - Parol - Usgaon - Shirshad- Western Express Highway -Sativali, we reached our Final stop at Achole lake at 6:30 pm. Finally was time to thank Almighty for the wonderful ride. 

Prologue: To sum up it was a wonderful time on bike coupled with good roads in pleasant a climate towards beautifully serene destination to leave us together with loads of good memories to cherish with.

For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Riding, Keep Exploring!!!!