Karnala

This is my sixteenth trek. One of the most unexpected treks I have done till date. My cousin sisters from Dubai had arrived in India and were staying in Nerul. I had decided of spending the weekend with them. Shivendu and Atharva had also joined us. It was family get together in Nerul. We were free on Sunday and decided of doing something different. Baba suggested of going for a trek. Everyone agreed. Now the most important part was where to go for the trek? Karnala fort near Panvel was the most suitable location according to us and was finalized.
In the morning of 2nd August 2009, our crew consisting of Baba, Vijay Kaka, Vikram Kaka, myself, Shivendu, Atharva, Pari and Sakhi started off for the trek. We travelled to the Karnala bird sanctuary-which lies in the foothills of the Karnala fort –by a car. Over there we were joined by another relative of ours Mr. Pramod Saple along with his two daughters.
We started the trek at around 11:15 am. I had done this trek before. This was the first trek that Shivendu had done and I and Baba were his accomplices in this trek. So these were nostalgic moments for us. We took the way leading towards the fort just before the entry to the bird sanctuary. The route was well formed and we had no difficulty in finding the route throughout. Initially, I was leading the group and escorting Sakhi and Atharva along with me. We were followed by Pari, Ruchi and Shruti. They were being taken care of by Baba and Shivendu. The way was through dense forest. We could hear many animals and birds around us. A light breeze was flowing through the woods. It was pleasant to trek alone in these conditions but to do the same with two amateurs was a different ball game. Sakhi still being the kid was very difficult to handle and so was Atharva. Their excitement to reach the top was oozing out with every step they took. Sakhi was walking splendidly for someone of her age. She had good footing and balance on rock surface too. Atharva was the road runner waiting for no one and most of the times leading to huge gaps within the groups. Vikram Kaka, Vijay Kaka and Pramod Kaka were bringing up the tail of the group very slowly. They were almost different from our group.
We took our first halt after an hour. The place was a small plain area just after a boulder road. By now Pari and Shivendu was a bit tired but not still raring to go. Over here we decided of changing some things. Baba decided to lead with me assisting Shivendu. Shivendu usually climbs very fast in the beginning and then slows down considerably. During his all the three previous treks I was with him and know this very well. I was encouraging him and chatting with him. We were sharing some of the experiences of our previous treks and reliving them again. He needs a lot of motivation while trekking. I was trying to provide that to him now. We were moving ahead slowly and steadily. There was a cool breeze flowing. The sun was playing hide and seek with clouds. After another half an hour of trek we reached a small flat surface. Over here, there was a way leading to the fort and valley on both the sides. From here we could see greenery in the valley below us. In spite of the lack of rain, the greenery was endearing. Soon we reached an open flat surface from here we could see the main door of the fort. But to reach there we had to complete the small difficult portion. Baba along with Pari, Sakhi, Atharva, Ruchi and Shruti had already reached this point. They were waiting for me and Shivendu. Once there we took a breather and started off again. I was again leading and taking Sakhi with me. Shivendu was in close quarters behind me and was helping Pari and Atharva. Baba was bringing up Ruchi and Shruti. He was constantly asking me to wait after a few steps. He was also guiding us when we were on the move. Soon we completed this portion and I thought that now we would reach the foot of the pinnacle but it was not to be. There was one more ladder in between. This was also very much risky. The ladder was weather worn and broken. But we completed it in no time.
Now we had entered the fort through the main gate. From here we could see Vijay kaka, Vikram kaka and Pramod kaka reaching the flat open surface below us. They were asking us to come back. We told them that we would come back in about an hour and we continued towards the foot of the pinnacle. One side of pinnacle is flat and ends up in the valley below and the other three sides form the base on the fort. We saw a secret entrance of the fort and also the armory. There are cave dug in the foot of the fort to store food and water. There was stagnant water in there now. Many people were shouting there and hearing the echo over here. We also saw the place of execution over here. It was breathtaking. From here we could see other forts like Manikgad, Malangad. We could also see the Duke’s nose mountain from here. The view was awesome. The clouds had descended over here. The weather was sunny but still it was cool. After some time we started off again towards the open flat surface where others were waiting for us. Again while descending I was leading with Baba covering me and Shivendu bringing down the tail with Atharva. It took us another 15minutes to reach the spot where others were sitting. Once we reached there it was a huge celebration as Pari and Sakhi had just conquered their first trek and were the youngest in the group today. Everyone congratulated them. We had some food and water and bid adieu to the fort. Now descend was very peaceful and also fast. Shivendu and Atharva were leading again and I was bringing along Pari and Sakhi with me. At first halt Baba was on the lead along with Sakhi, Ruchi and Shruti. I, Shivendu, Pari and Atharva were in middle. All the kakas were in the last. Over here we found a very small stream flowing along our way. We were very tired and thirsty as we had no water with us. We decided to splash some water on our face to refresh. So we reached the stream. We removed our footwear and washed our feet. Washed our sweated faces in the water and were enjoying the cool stream when the kaka company reached this spot. So we had to regretfully leave the stream and move down.
In another 15 minutes we reached the place where we had parked our cars. Thus came to an end a nice journey through the wilds and conquest of Karnala fort.