The present route was through the large green plains. It was more of a stroll and less of trek. Soon we had a small introduction session and moved on for the rest of the trek. After walking for around half an hour we were in the foothills of our destination. Now the real trek had begun and with it our dose of adventure.
Soon after the climb had started we were experiencing mucky roads on which it was very difficult to get a foothold. Someone or the other was slipping on the routes. The climb was mainly on the slopes of the mountains. The lush green grass was providing the desired pleasure of trekking which we were looking for. The route through this grass was pleasant but only if you were not lying in the muck around due to slipping feet. We could see many waterfalls emerging through most of the mountains around. The lush green carpet laid by nature was very alluring. Feeling the beauty of the nature around us we were climbing to the best of our capacities. Till now we had not experienced heavy rain on this trek and were eagerly waiting for that to happen. We had experienced small drizzles but it was not at all sufficient for our rain thirsty minds and body which were craving for some heavy rains. And as if the some was hearing us the heavens opened up and started pouring heavily. This was just the experience we wanted to experience and were having that now. The rain continued for some time and we carried on with our trek.
By now the route had taken a serious change of terrain and had started to give us a hard time. This was especially taxing on some of the amateur members we had. The slopes had begun to steep a little but still it was walk able. Ninad who is an amateur was not having a fine time owing to the bad grip of his shoes and wet soil. He had slipped a couple of times but didn’t have any serious or major injuries. I was covering him up and looking for the easiest route to take. I had Mr. Date, Mrs. Deepa and Mrs. Suvarna with me during this patch along with Ninad and Baba. Baba was acting as the connecting link between our group that had gone a bit ahead and Mr. Date was keeping an eye on the group that was left behind.
Baba was also leading our small group and also guiding us as to what should we do and what to avoid. By now the road was not bigger than the space required to place one foot at a time. Ninad and the two ladies were having a real hard time. I and Mr. Date were helping them and providing them support when and were needed by them.
But our problems in the route was about to begin now. We could see some mean rocks in our way now. There were some members of the group that had opened the route on that rock patch. It was very disheartening to know that they were good 15minutes ahead us and were still negotiating with the rocks. The wind was blowing hard and fast. My raincoat was blowing badly in the wind and was appearing as if it would take me along with it. The wind only added to our woes. Baba clicked some nice photos of me and Ninad on this spot. By now there was some traffic just below the rocks. Ninad and Mrs. Deepa were ahead of me. Baba was covering us all by now. He asked me go ahead and help Ninad and others to ‘safety’ if you could really call it. So I went ahead and gave them support to get to the position I was at. The rocks had a steep valley on one side and a high cliff on the other. But this was only half work done as there was quite some distance of rocks to cover. Again there was some condition as the one we had encountered at the base of rocks. The route opener group stuck over here too and adds to it the traffic that occurred due to our arrival at that position. Soon someone suggested us an alternative route which no one was using. Soon I took it and reached almost the end of rocks. The same procedures again, bring the others up and move ahead. The only change this time around was that we had successfully completed this patch.
From this position Garbat point was touching distance away. We took a halt here and had breakfast at 11:30am. After halting here we moved towards our destination. By now rain and wind had started again and we were facing quite bad time. A walk of another hour through forest took us to our destination i.e. Garbat Point. Once here our victory reached sky high and the rain stopped. There were celebrations galore. Once our remaining group arrived we had a group photo session and then opened our lunch boxes. After filling our empty stomach we decided to move towards Matheran market which was very close. From there we were to go Charlotte Lake.
So we moved in that direction. After a walk of an hour and half among tall forest trees and amidst songs sung by us we reached a point which had three ways leading to different points in Matheran. We stopped here and everyone was of the opinion that we should descend now as it was almost time and it would take us around an hour to reach the market. So we started our treks descend along the rails of mini train. Had tea at a stall and moved down by using a taxi which took us to the Neral station.
With our arrival at Neral train station our trek had officially ended. This was one of the best treks of my life as I experienced all the things like rain, rock patch, natural beauty, fresh air and company of friends on this trek. This could be said as the one of the most successful treks.
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