“Dhak-The 100”, “Ek Sohala”, “Naad Khula”

“Dhak-The 100”, “Ek Sohala”, “Naad Khula”

Purushottam Thakar, Giridarshan Trekking Club (GTC), Pune

“Let me apologize for the delay in posting, but There was so much so to write, I was not able to decide how to put it together. Bear with me if I’m not able to catch all the excitement, I’m sure this trek has been carved in everybody’s mind”

 9^th January 2011

Dedicated to fond memories of the great , Courageous  “GONIDA” (G.N.Dandekar) who discovered  Dhak Bahir(Bhairi), Sashtang and Sahastra Namaksar! Applya charani ha blog arpan….Bless us!

Rappelling Video :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnmxr2VJSZ4

Giridarshan Trekking Club Presents

Dhak-The 100

Produced by :- Giridarshan Trekking Club, Pune

Directed by :- Satish Marathe, Vikas Kaduskar, Nirant Sardar

Edited by :- Vikas Kaduskar, Nirant Sardar & Other leaders of Giridarshan

Background Score :- Rustic beauty of nature at Dhak Surroundings

Music:- Campfire @ Jambhivali School

Playback Singers:- Leaders of Giridarshan

Cast:-

Lead Roles :- Amit Khaladkar, Sangram Dhongade, Avinav Rau, Harshal Kulkarni,  Mandar Borse. Pratik Purandare

Character Roles :- Mayuresh Gokhale, Amar Phadake, Chetan Wagh, Manasi Wagh, Purushottam Thakar

Supporting Roles:- Saniya Mane, Viraj Deshpande, Chetan Naik, Chandrakant Mashalkar, Dr. Nikhil Pendse, Ajinkya Sathe, Manas Kulkarni, Vijay Rajebhonsale

Special Appearances:- 100 Ignited minds  and inspired participants

8th January 2011 1.00 in Afternoon, Pune

My Nokia rang….its Chetan Naik ….picked up and he was desperate, “Uttam! I cannot make it at 3.30 local, What are the options to reach Jambhivali (Base Village)  Late hours?”.

I told him to come on bike via Kamshet  or  be accompanied by the Amit Modak who was supposed to travel late hours due his office work.

Meanwhile he told me that the Local to Kamshet is not at 3.30 but at 3.00 PM…and oh my my….a panic streak in mind….is the Murphy law started? (Simultaneous errors are started I guess)

I called dada(Satish Marathe) & Vikas simultaneously….Yes, its confirmed its at 3.00…Baapre! how the hell we are going to communicate this to People?...But Dada and Vikas, Sardar as usual have reached to almost all of them for updated timing…Mobile phones is such a wonderful phenomenon that has happened to India, brings world so close and so fast.

8^th January 2011 2.30 PM in Afternoon, Shivajinagar Railway Station

Hurry, Chaos, Commotion, Bad-Bad, Ghondal, Excitement, Tension, Aawaaaz, Hi-FI’s, Oldies meeting Oldies, Newbie’s introducing Newbie’s…..Nazarechya Bananchi Dewan Ghewan…..Hotkaruncha sarait nazara……etc. etc…

Sardar leading the gathering effort… people pouring in numbers….my 5, my 10 , my 20, names being confirmed, fees being collected…tickets being collected….number is increasing…..2.57PM 3 minutes to local …still coming…..

Finally, Amit Khaladkar, Myself and Dada remained back and sent a batch of 70 people with Sardar, Vikas, Mandar, Harshal, Gokhale, Avinav, Sangram, pratik ahead of us..and we waited for those who could not make it at 3.00PM.

First batch successfully boarded, 70 people at one go..damn that itself is an achievement….

Next local is at 4.30 ….Amya and Me….Hot cup of Tea….. “Saware…Aai-jaaiyoo… Saware…Aai-jaaiyoo…”, Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande and ustaad Zakir Hussain on tabla……somewhere in 1983 I guess….

Next batch started coming in….Manas Kulkarni and his gang from ABS….this man wont come alone…he will always bring a gang…and this time no difference…..17 people on board…..and way to Kamshet…..

Dada bid the farewell to last batch and he was going to come late hours in his Maruti carrying most of the load of material…….see you there…..

8^th January 2011 5.30PM Kamshet

Hehehehehe! Oh ####, the first batch is still here…..all loaded in the Pick-Up Trucks, we thought they have already left….But their local had to wait in between to give way to express train and the scheduled bus to Jambhivali hasn’t arrived.  

The crowd bulging out of Pick-Up trucks we pushed few more folks in to the existing loads…Typical Scene…Few guys are on the top of Driver’s cabin… That’s my favorite place to sit en-route Jambhivali…its fun…it’s a tradition….Sit on the top…Free air….Old and New Marathi songs ….Rustic evening sun…..cool breeze…uneven roads….Nice Ride…dim lights….Passing Villages & Villagers….Fragrance of  Village soil around you… Surrounded by Dam and its backwaters…..Trees and Jungle….you are relishing all this….it’s going deep in your body…..touches your soul….and you are on a different lane of your life…..Atmik Anand…..And… Dhak’s Annual “Sohala” starts……

“Saware aaijiayo….Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, ustaad Zakirbhai ..at their best”…..

….but this time no chance… still need to arrange Pick-Up for the participants with me….5 managed in earlier load..12 still to go…..Bargain… done..one gentleman agreed all aboard….got the order of Jalebi’s from Local sweet home. This is bonus and a surprise for every participant…imagine after entire day’s hard work  if you get Jalebi’s in lunch? Yummy! That’s Giridarshan Style…..on the way 22 KM…..

Parat Vasantrao dokyat….. “Bagalyachi Maal-Phule….”…Amya and me in drivers cabin…rest of the gang @back of truck….

8^th January 8.00 PM Jambhivali

Look at that…..every inch of Jambhivali is occupied…..Village temple…school…..veranda’s,  the place around the trees, Cheers, hugs, Exchanges….Relaxed….strolling here and there…..camera’s..clicks- clicks…Gappa-Tappa….groups of people enjoying..welcoming everyone …welcoming every Pick-Truck with shouts……Enthusiasm is pouring out everywhere…Excited…Ignited minds……

Vikas, Mandar, HArshal , Avinav, Sangram..Leaders have occupied  place just bellow “Lalita Gederal Stores”

Sukoon…..Met Amar phadke..Gokhale…..Regular exchanges….and I just asked Sardar…How Many?

“100 or 120”…Jaw wide open….AWWWWWWW…...We didn’t know that our number will ever come so perfect….

“Are you sure”? “Yes…Damm sure”….

Raaada……Kallaaaa……..Dangaaa……Faaatali…heheheehe! ….100 people to go to Dhak caves…and Rappel Down? Are we mad?

Yes, We are mad…Mad enough to test our strengths and capacities..We are Giridarshan, We are RAW…We like to take on challenges and convert them to success...(Amya [Amit Govande] and Modak’s  miss you buddies)…..

100….100…100….the only number in my mind….and Dhak…… Vikas winked….smiled…confidence….tomorrow dancing in front of my eyes….I need a break……

“Shoor aamhi sardar amhala kaay kunachi bhiti……”

8^th January 2011 8.30 PM Jambhivali – Place around the Big Tree.

“Dhakchi waari….Trkkerschi Mandiyaali”….

Dabba’s are out…..no place to accommodate 100 people….munching….exchange of Dabba’s …those who didn’t bring dabba’s are roaming around everybody…..taking morsels…..relishing them……appreciating the taste…teasing others…..

Can you imagine? 100 people…each one is unique variety….sitting together….and enjoying food…with no fears…no qualms about each other…..fantastic view……I’m sure the only thing that is delving in to their minds’…Dhak bahiri caves….Content with worlds best food they ever had this evening….disperse…..

Time to prepare for Camp Fire….

Vikas, Mandar, Avinav, Harshal, Chandrakant, Phadke…and few more enthusiastic candidates..went in search of fuel sticks……

Small groups have started being formed…..taking stroll around the village…..

The vetarans…Phadke…Gokhale…khaladkar and me…..we sat on the road coming to village…and Maifal started….Asha Bhosale….Rut Hirawa…Arun Date…Parat Vasantrao….Lata Mangeshkar….Mukesh…Kishor…..Hridhaynath….Shivakalyaan Raja…Shiva Chatrapati Aarti…Jayostute….Sardar Baji Prabhu….

“Saranar kadhi Raan..Prabo…..kuthavar sahooo…ghav shiri….”

Chandrakant’s gang joined us and its one big Maifal on the road…..

8^th January 2011 9.00 PM School ground

“Ya re ya..Jambhivalicha Gavamage...dhak-dhak kheluya :D, amba pikato rasa galto trekking cha raja ....dhak bolavato”....heheehe! Jamalay bahutek….

Flames are out…..Campfire started…..Smoke….first batch of people ….just enjoying the warmth….slowly the crowd getting bigger as flames get bigger…..Antakshari is started I guess…..I’m still at my own Maifal… its getting cold out here….so finally wrapped the maifal…and started towards campfire…..

It’s as usual , Antakshari at its peak I believed ….now it has turned volunteer  performances…. Missing the Zatka and Tadka….and here you Go…….

Giridarshan leaders….out with their patent trekking songs….”Dhoor amhi fukanar…”, “Sandhyakali…”,”O jane darling…”,”Hya collge cha pori…”, “Mubaihoon aali mazi taar, mama mala mulgi denar”, “Hanji….Hanji….” ...Sangram, Sardarm Amit Khaladkar at their best….claps, shoutes….

As usual, my veteran  stuff was out…”ABCD satara….”, “Hari On HAri…”, “Malycha malyamadhi…”…Baal geete, Badbad geete.. “Asava sundar chocolate cha bangle..”  Time pass…..

“Char waajale, Kombada aaravla…Sakhu geli panyala..tithe sakhula kon bhetale? -----“ Feel in the blanks… the blanks were getting feeled with everybody we knew out here and followed by a song just to create a funny sequence… This one stole the show….

“Char waajale, Kombada aaravla…Sakhu geli panyala..tithe sakhula kon bhetale? – Uttam…Uttam Sakhula Kaay Mhanala? – “Hum kale hai to kya hua dilwale hai….” Hehehehe….shook my leg..done some steps….followed by everyboyd’s name…..Sanrgam… “Hum to tere ashique hai…”…Vikas….Mandar….Manas “Chaddi pehanke phool khila hai”…..harshal “blblblbblblblblblbbl”….almost every boy and girl…..little Archis also contributed to the fun……

A big Hug…Baal Hanuman is here….Chetan has finally arrived…all alone from Pune to Jambhivali..its his first time to Dhak…but still managed well to come down…..This man is amazing…. We made him eat food along with the Chandu’s gang…..

Char wajale…..Kombada…..

Here comes the absolute one…..

Its Vikas Vs. Entire crowd competition……. “Satarcha mhatara shekotila aala….”, Vikas goes miles and miles without mistake against entire crowd on this song game…..it is Vikas or Crowd who won the  game?

Instructions for tomorrow….. 5.30 wake up call….6.30 start…..7.45 khind…..8.30 star to caves…be carefull…. The place is narrow…. No place for 0.0000000n mistake……

Avinav trying to sleep alone below the tree..Simply courageous boy ….managed a place for him inside home….and….

Good night! See you tomorrow….. “Sohala” Chalu zala aahe…..100…100…100…..”

9^th January 2011 4:15 AM

“Uttam…Avinav…” Vikas calling out…..it’s time to get ready for big Exam ahead, I was never afraid of my exams…but this one is tough….challenging…100 participants are completely relied on us for successful traverse and climb towards Dhak bahiri caves….Setup has to be absolutely perfect and time….it was race against time……

Avinav & Me …finished with morning chores….had hot cup of tea..grabbed some biscuits and joined the gang of 7 soldiers who were all set to go in to the quest of time……to fit the solid Rope setup across the “Naal” (Steep Ridge separating Dhak bahiri and kalakrai pinnacle), Full traverse of Dhak Bahiri Rock wall, Full climb towards Caves of Dhak.

I was sounded some music by Vikas for little bit laziness, but he was right , time was deciding factor in this entire challenge. 100 participants….we  must be ready by 8.00 AM with all set up ready..so as and when batch arrives…the mill starts……climbing and rappelling…simultaneous…need of 2 rappeling setups..…

Vikas, mandar, avinav, harshal, Sangram,Viraj(Young lad , a first timer to Dhak, dared to join us because of my initial laziness) and myself, 7 man army vanished in the dark forest…..

We took the traditional route behind Kondheshwar temple to avoid unnecessary risk of being lost in short cut…..so the distance increased but early morning breeze gave us the speed and we are on the way…..100…100…100….this number all along us…….

Reached first plateau, wow……the outline of Dhak looking gorgeous equally scary…..lights in the valley of Sandashi and Karjat…..Stars in the early sky…..amazing view……rest for a while….back to the squad…on the exam route…..

Little more walk and you reach 2^nd plateau, now keep descending left….There is one way on your right goes up..DO NOT  take this one…this one leads you to the opposite way to Bhimashankar….Keep Left…you reach a ground between Dhak Naal and the earlier hill… Direction boards are present….

Facing towards Naal….Right goes to dhak Village…. From left arrives route from Valavnd….behind Jambhivali route….Straight up Dhak……

This climb of 100 Mtr. Is going to kick you…..it’s almost vertical, pumps your chest like anything….I just imagined the first timers coming this way….. be carefull on this route….lots of scree and fallen trees in between….keep your foot carefully lock against ground and climb……

Around 7.00 in the Naal…..Viraj carried the heavy equipment sack on his shoulders till the Naal… Bravo….he is going to be a fantastic mountaineer….I bet…keep it up dude….

Naal….Deep and steep…..straight fall of  600 ft? …looks like…..

One by one….Down in steep Naal…..it has become sleeper due to extra soil ….so carefully locking cross legs on soil….and reached the rock…..this rock has fallen in the naal due to landslide and has created an artificial overhang….this needs to be secured…..Mandar and harshal did the terrific job of fixing the rope by clove hitch and putting overhand loops at equal distance to help participants to come down safely through this overhang……

 Amazing view of Dhak wall on right and  Sandashi vally on left, Manjarsubha, Rajmachi, Dukes nose at horizion…….

Ropes unwinded….without delay..vIkas ..avinav..sangram….on the rock patch…..fixing the rope all along the traverse….and then up……joined by Mandar  later….Harshal , Viraj and myself at the base…..unwinding remaining ropes…slings…..

I went down….checked the rope…..released the slack….went back to Naal…checked the rope….tightened the rope loops…came back….by the time……Initial setup was done……Ropes were  fixed in the caves…..2 rappelling setups….Mandar and Sangram did..Rappeling and checked the setup…..its perfect…..

“Arise ye mighty one…..”  Swami Vivekanand…..

“Come oh come…..100….100…100….We are ready ……Trust us….We are going to give you the ride of your lifetime……Come on you guys…Leave all your fears and inhibitions behind..Join us in the trekking- Masti -Magic…We are there to help you enjoy every inch of it….So what are you waiting for ...show is about to begin….”

Chatrapati ShivaJi Mahararj ki jay!

Back at the base village , Giridarshan’s anniversary cake being cut by Dada… and We are remote participants in the commotion…..nevertheless…..we are there by our minds……Happy B’Day to Giridarshan…..Sohalyachi surwat gode…..

9^th January 8.00 AM

Curtains raised….

First batch with Sardar has arrived…and my hands started Automatically…..training in RAW is giving speed to my hands…..Saniya (Another young girl, don’t go by her looks, she is not a school girl, she is in first year BSC statistics and Symbi passout) ….Slings, Slings, Slings…Bowlines, Bowlines, Bowlines…..

Saftey, Safety,Safety…..knots are being wrapped, tied on every participant’s waist for self anchoring…..

Self anchor is MUST….Sar Salamat to Trek Pachas……Without Self anchor nobody is allowed to wander here and there on the rock patch…..

Sardar, Harshal, Amit Khaladkar, Gokhale, Phadke, Pratik….all on their positions on the Rock Patch….

Dhak la bahar aala hota….Trekkers everywhere..trekkers up on the patch…down on the patch…in the  Naal..everywhere you see….Trekkers and Trekkers….100..100…100….

Leaders are set, Ropes are ready….1s person on the go….Anchored to the rope….Thar-thar, Anxiety, Shaky legs, Dhad-Dhad, Kallol, Carefully….weight on the rock face…leaning on rock face….one step at a time…..down to the patch…changing over the Quick Draws (another anchor on SCI bolts), to the rock cut steps like structure….Pratik and Harshal helping them to complete the traverse …..Real thrill starts….90 degree straight climb of 30 ft. Gokhale ,Dada taking them up….more climb…..and deadly traverse….this one is more trickier….believe me you can absolutely fix only 1 feet at a time and face towards rock and reach the Moli patch, and deep exposure at your back…one mistake you are out…don’t worry you are anchored to the rope but still …..

Now comes the monster……Sardar fixed himself in the narrow gap between Moli Patch and the Rock wall of Dhak…he is standing only on 1 foot….and helping participants climb the deadliest Moli patch.

Moli patch :- A patch of 90 degree and  around 20 feet which one needs to climb using suspened Treek Trunk with very thin and small branches left on it. As you put your foot on either of the branch and rise up this trunk moves horizontally as its fixed using Rope and suspended in the air. For a moment you feel your life is suspended between the Life and Death and only Lord Bhairi can save you. Don’t worry, we have managed your safety very well but be careful….Self Anchor saves you…..

9^th January 10.00 AM

I’m still busy tying Self anchors to participants… Chetan and Manasi Wagh  joined in…mean time Chetan also joined in the effort….We realized the number of slings was less as compared to number of participants…lessons learnt…next time….We will carry slings equal to half the number of participants….so rotation works smooth…wait..delay..slow down the process….wait for slings to come down from top…..Calling triangular…from rock patch to Dada in the middle and then to the top in the caves….since there is so much noise in the cave….obvious….people going to this wonderful place for the first time…cheers, joys, satisfaction, hi-fi’s, cameras,clicks, gadbad, gondhal, aawaaz, badbad, danga, kalla, rada…..

Slings are still coming….people are still being roped….its not ending…every time I ask ….its 20 people….i doubted that is it 200? But its not….. Sun started its office hours….glaring….glaring increasing every second….Leaders on  the patch…. Thirst, hunger started kicking in…..

God bless Amya(amit khaladkar), He has brought breakfast for all the leaders in his sack, most of it was pulled up in the caves, for myself, viraj and sania some portion left at base…..

More and more tharthar of people…but a sense of achievement on their face….they have managed something for their lifetime…I could see ignited faces….with sunlight..with bravery…..

I expect the rappelling should start by now…..its 11.15 AM….Sun is at full workload to glare……

9^th January 11.15 AM

“Reeeeeeaaaaaaached”, First shouts of Sanrgam and Mandar ,  giving Demo to participants for how to take  first position, how safe everybody is, how to rapple….Good Job…..now come join me in the taskforce……

News from top, Everybody is thrilled by the great Dhak and now excited to rappel down, 80 Ft…

People are jumping on Harnesses and equipment, everybody’s childhood is out….1^st me , 1^st me…..

Ladies first was the call from Dada, So first two ladies anchored to the rope….I don’t even remember who was first….the only concentration was the rope ….participant….only thought release every participant in time and make the setup available as quick as possible…..

“Baaadli”…..Successful rappel till the little overhang and then “Baadli”, expected…..but hats off….these fearless ladies have managed to rappel down successfully….I can see the joy on their face….A sigh of relief….sense of accomplishment…..they have done it…bravo!

It’s started, 11.30 first participants are down…..we are on time….till this moment….

Few more guys left to go to top…..Slings are awaited…….

By the time I had some refreshments between the gap of alternate rappels,  5, 6 , 7, 8…coming and coming…..it was getting more n more  difficult to pull the participant down , anchor them to rope again….release harness, descender, Jumbo, prepare the set and Belay Up…..Descender was boiled hot….

Hard to touch…but somehow managing…..For few of the ladies….their hair got stuck in Descender for not putting their weight on the rope and then almost standing on the rope…..so getting difficult to release…taking time…delaying the process……

Now comes, 2 little girls and oh my goodness…..Screams….Screams…out of fear..excitement….locked on the belay…..1 girls’ hair already stuck in the descender and she is not able to feed the rope……Locked on the bealy…..out of fear she removed mittens, and woohoooo…..she threw one down….im flat on the rock patch….almost parallel ….and could catch it…….and ohh no….here goes the second one….above my head….can’t catch it…myself anchor won’t allow me to reach…..Good its stuck on the surface bellow in the bushes I can see…so we can take it later….only worry was what if monkeys take it……

Her twin sister who was rappelling along with her…somehow reached her tried to remove her hair from descender but no luck…..time was running out……

Finally….she was asked to hold the rope at knot….Vikas and me by controlling the rope took her down without rappelling….she is safe….this took 30 minutes almost and time of 8 participants rappel…..never mind….our objective is to make everybody rappel down safely ….

Triangular calling for slings….guys  waiting down here to go up……

12.30 Sun working at its peak….Energy drain has started…..Rock has started getting hotter……Sangram and me are still on the rock patch…..Mandar went up for belay……

Meanwhile other local groups have started coming in….Rappelling stopped……one way traffic…..No sign of route..as every inch was filled with humans…..

Rappeling begins…still its ladies…..I could see few people coming down without rappelling from same route which they climbed….may be frustrated by delay….Sorry guys can’t help it…..the time to free the participant is more than anticipated…..

Energy levels dropping faster…..I’m almost on one foot….2  hours….

By 1.30 PM slings came down….last batch enroute….2.15 last man on top….I guess phadake by now replaced Sardar on Moli Patch…..Me, Dada, Manasi wagh, Chetan wagh didn’t get time to go up…..thats ok….participants first….

Dehydrating ……Sweat everywhere……Temperature soaring …..Sun on top of the head…..100..100…100….

“Sarnar kadhi ran…prabho…..kuthavar sahoo….”

Sardar, Avinav, Mandar, Saniya, Viraj, Vikas , Amit Khaladkar, Harshal, Chetan Chandrakant in the caves…..Tape slings, Harnesses…Final Checks…..rappelling down…Belay man changing from Avinav, to Mandar, to harshal, to vikas, to Viraj, Chetan,Chandrakant, Amit……

Baadli, rappel, people were coming down….with thumbs up for lifetime experiences…..

Every time I would ask the participant how many people are left to rappe? 20 is the answer…..i doubted that people are rappelling twice….heehehehehee!

Gokhale , Dr. Nikhil Pendse helping people to release setups….

He is ready to take first batch back to Jambhivali……on his way….

Manas , Amar Phadke, Ajinkya Sathe, Pratik, followed the batches to Jambhivali……

I could see… Dada and Chandrakant, Mrunal bhay,  coming down from traditional route..along with little Archis , brave boy…..Chandrakant left him with his parents and back to the top again…..Duracell battery….

Water bottles up and down…the only water source is available in the caves….

Belay loose…belay tight…..belay up…..for a few hours more…..

Rock temperature has increased a lot…..still on the patch…..Tired….I looked at Sangram….we were exhausted…..i could see restlessness on his Face….so am I……Limbs were locked…could not move much…..everything was automatic…….Need replacement…..Cant withstand with this task anymore….We could have stretched more….but not good for Safety……for us and for participants……Water Bottles dried….

9^th January 3.30 PM

Awwwara re! Meloy re! Konitari yaaa re!

Dada and Amit Khaladkar down from traditional route….Dada patted on my and Sangram’s shoulder and immediately replaced us…..Thanks a lot!

Meantime Vikas again down from traditional route….was trying to understand why the releasing people is so slow….(Man in Cap in bellow photo, 6-7 times he has gone up and down the route)

We realized the place where I was standing and taking out candidates was so narrow and uncomfortable….finally we changed the spot…just next to rock patch ….we started pulling both the rappelling participants at the same place….a chain was formed…..Vikas….Dada….me….Sangram…..Amit Khaladkar….Vikas will pull participants at one place….Vikas and Dada will release the belay….I will pass the candidates over me to Sangram and Amit…they will release the setups and I will pass them to Vikas and  Belay up……this was successful….this helped to speed up the process….Modak was needed for this Supply Chain Management Case....

Finally surrendered ….Sangram and Me….released ourselves…..got some parathas and sauce and rested in the caves bellow…..half an hour power nap……

By the time….you know what….Chetan and Chandrakant…back with bang…….they have taken the charge of our places down there and controlling the rappelled participants, releasing them….Sigh of releief….these 2 guys are amazing…no words to describe their support…..

9^th January 5.30 PM

Its 5.30 still 37 candidates are to rappel down…..and Dead…no energy to even blink the eyes…..

But its faster now…..this batch was superior in rappelling…..less baadlis and  more successful rappels …..

It’s getting dark…..Saniya Rappled down…Viraj Sardar, Avinav, harshal,  All rappelled down. Mandar came down from traditional route…removing the rope…..We saw the sunset on the horizon….its 1^st time we are seeing Sunset from Dhak ….What a scene…me and Sangram still lying in caves…..and Dada took the last batch except last 16 and started towards Jambhivali….Vikas coming down from traditional route….checking for any equipment left on the route….

Rucksacks packed…equipment packed….on the shoulders….its dark…torches out…..Vikas took out Gul Poli’s

Me first in the naal…sardar followed….all others followed…avinav, vikas removed the rope from Naal…Chetan holdind one rope on his shoulders….

16 Started towards Jambhvali via Kondheswar temple to avoid being lost through shortcut in the dark….

Kondheshwar temple is renovated , at least 5000 people can sleep in the out yard of temple…..water bottles filled …..and with automatic motion…..started towards Jambhivali…..

9^th January 9.00 PM

No Pain! The Exhausted bodies demanded rest nothing else not eve food….No energy left to chew the food, move the bladder and intestine for digestion…

Pick up truck was waiting….Dada had arranged this one….for ourselves till Kamshet…..

Chetan was about to leave….since he has put job on shofloor….

First morsel of Bhakari and Bhaji, Chetan , Disgusted and frustrated…his bike has punctured…..Loaded in pick up truck…..

Jalebi was tasting heavenly as if we never ate Jalebi before….Daal was tasting awesome….god knows what it is..everything was just Automatic…..

9.45 PM….sacks were kept bellow…people on top of it…with Chetan’s bike in it…..started towards….kamshet……11.37 local……chetan got puncture repaired….on his way…and we have surrendered ourselves in the local….not on the seats….all the Giridarshan leaders down on the local train floor……

Phewwwwwww! 100…100…100……Yesssssssss!!! We have done it…….Awwwwsome strength and Team Show my Giridarshan……Three Cheers! We just looked at each other and our smiles speak everything about it….eyes shutting down…..Dhak’s outline in the eyes…..Kalakrai Bolavatoy…..New Gems found….Viraj and Saniya….Chetan, Chandrakant back with bang….dead asleep….…

100…100…100….Naabaad 100... “Naad Khula Dhaaak.”

“Sohala “ kharya arthane suru zala…

PS:- Chetan reached home safely, we reached at 1.00 PM in the night….Chandrakant reached at 3.00 PM midnight because of his home dropping facility for others….

“RAW Unleashed”… “Endless Alang” and “Dabang Madan” and “One Desperate Moment”

“RAW Unleashed”… “Endless Alang” and “Dabang Madan” and “One Desperate Moment”

Purushottam Thakar, Giridarshan Trekking Club (GTC), Pune

17^th ,  18^th, 19^th December 2010, Alang-Madan, GTC Get Raw event

Dedicated to those 17 daring Participants who made this trek not only enjoyable with their enthusiastic support but also strengthening the bond of lifetime friendship.

“Ayushyat Ek Mitra Asava,

Rikama Trek la yeun aapli ozi vahnara,

Aaichi taarif karat aaplya dabyatil bhaji khanara,

Swathaha “Anchor” na hota aaplyala belay denara,

Dhur bharlya dolyane chulivarti patele dharnara,

Chuklya waatevar pekatat laath denara,

Ratri gaani gatana patelyacha tablya varti saath denara,

Sarti ratra ghorato mahnun shivi denara,

Pack up kartana aapli pishavi(sack) bharanara”

Ek tari mitra asava…..

--- Credit to Sachin Dhavale, Giridarshan Trekking Club, Pune

(Changed some of the words, so suit to general readers)

PS: - All timings are tentative, believe me, this trek makes you forget time. Also most of the time photo's are used to highlight the participants who played the key role in this trek, endless photo's are available at GTC office, please visit to see them. Although i could add many more important photos, apologies for that.

21^st  December  9.00 PM Hotel Shreeman, having sip of my Antiquity,

 Just Remembered above mentioned short poem; Sachin Dhavale sent few months back to all of us, I guess at the time of Dhodap-Kanchana Trek, and my mind is going back to the memory lane en-route to Alang-Madan. Antiquity doing its job, its warm in here…..

15^th December 8.00 PM GTC HQ, Narayan Peth Pune,

Reached in hurry to GTC to do planning for Alang-Madan Trek, but the mood in quorum is tensed.  Vikas looks busted, sad. “Uttam, If  need be would you do lead climb and lead entire trek?”  asked Vikas.  Nerve freezing question, although I had prepared my mind for the lead climb and wanted to do it  under Vikas’s supervision since we have best tuning.  “What’s the matter?” I asked. “I may not be able to come for trek” said Vikas. Vikas had an urgency in his Company which he must resolve.   I felt so bad, sad Already Amit Govande, Avinav Rau, Sangram Dhongade, Mandar Borse were out of it and now Vikas….No way…..I told them to postpone the event , honestly I didn’t have the confidence to drive the entire trek without these guys at least Vikas, since we are going to a place where 0.000001% mistake is invitation to the dreadfull accident and I didn’t want to take any chances for the participants. But the show must go on.

We settled on hiring an external expert, Get Nirant  Sardar with me and manage the trek. Meantime Vikas was busy convincing his bosses how important this event is for him. It’s not just trek , its more than that. It’s his passion.

Sent Desperate SMS to Vikas to manage somehow.

16^th December 10.00 AM

Beep… Beep… Beep! New Message in Inbox, its Vikas

“Done…I’m coming”

My joy knew no bounds that moment and mind started already on Alang-Madan.

16^th December 11.30 PM GTC HQ, Narayan Peth Pune,

Bus is ready, Vikas , Harshal doing last checks on the preparations, all are here, we need to pick up Hashmeet(papaji) on Bremen Circle, on board and we started. Some video shooting, initial chit –chat, Ganapati Bappa Moraya!

17^th December around 1.30 AM Bota,

Annual Madan Ritual, Must perform, Tea at Bota, Cold here, but less compared to last year. Strange and Unusual.  We had our own stories of Cold in Bota, all made to look fake, no chilling factor this time.

Salman Khan’s Dabang is just over.

17^th December around 4.30 AM , Udadhavane

School, our sleeping place for the moment, newly painted, clean, No chilling cold here as well, that’s surprising.  This is mystic. God knows whether we are being fooled around by nature and will have chiller kept on Alang and Madan, let’s see.

Nitin and I roamed around a bit, got some warmth from bonfire, lit by local workers; road work is going on here.

Asleep, “Grrrrrrrrrrrr!, Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!”, Damn!, “Nishant SSSSSSSSS”, it’s not snoring its roaring. Yeh shanti  nahi  , Ashanti hai, Restless People, got some sleep, 6.00 AM, Vikas , calling it out for tea.

Finished morning chores, Got some tea and Jam, sauce Sandwiches, called wife and, changed the small sack to big club sack, I tell you, this sack changed my fate ……

Endless Alang

17^th December around 8.30 AM

My Goodness! Are Deva!  Giant! Mammoth! Whatever big name you can think off, Alang the Endless. At least 2 Dhoadap’s will fit in.

Huge cliffs, the other end is not at all visible. Man, I realized this one is penetrating, I tell you, this one is definitely RAW, and it’s going to kick our asses today. I felt RAW unleashed. Are we supposed to climb this endless thing? Yeah yeah yeah….Khaj kunala hoti? Balach badabd! 

On the backdrop of that Monster Alang,

Introduction to the trek, further plan by Vikas , Ghoshna….Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jay!!!, You see the guy in “Jay Maharashtra “ saffron color t-shirt, that’s Madhav Kulkarni(Renamed to Madhav Shastri by Vikas), he was so charged that he extended the Ghoshna “Afazal Khan Murdabaad”, hehehe! LMAO…..

Filled water from the nearby stream, virgin pure water, that’s going to be savior for us since no water on the entire route till we reach atop Alang.

Its 8.55 AM and trek has started. Straight through the paddies, slightly left on the Alang, one can see the route.

17^th December around 10.30 AM

Huuuuuussshhhhh!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaahhh! Hhhufffffffffff! Don’t get me wrong ;)! Nitin and me reached first station, the long plateau, one can see Alang and its surroundings clearly, Kalsubai, Ratan, Aajoba, Katrabai, Sceninc Uddhavane, Cool Breeze, Resting for a while, Madan is still not visible clearly.

The straight climb has already started kicking our stamina.

Out comes the Chocolate Sticks, energy bars. We mimicked Chocolate Sticks as Cigars, momentary pleasureJ,  Nitin Spilled  “ Chortyaa  Aafuchi aayat karnari Toli”…..See Vikas bellow, Attal Charsi (btw this is just Gimmick) . Camera’s out, Photography, Rest, Fun, Relaxed and start , keep alang on right start walking and walking and walking and…….walking + n!

Kulang, Madan are in sight,  you can see the entire alang traverse till Madan, which we need to cross to reach to the caves on top.  I lost, Alang won. Shoots! This is way toooooooo long to finish. Never ending.

Nature has once again reminded that we are nobody in front of it; we are minute particles of this ecosystem. Let’s not challenge it.  I’m humbled, all egos burnt, I bowed in respect and surrendered myself to the nature and started.

All people gathering fuel sticks for Food and Warmth, the volume was high this time since we had to take care of fuel for Madan as well, considering the scarcity of fuel on Madan.  Stacks are ready, roped on sacks, some in hand, the fleet starts walking…walking …walking……

1.30 hours, no route in sight to go up, Looks like we have come far away from the original route, Vikas disappeared in the forest to search for exact route, he met a localite villager, who showed the way,

By now, energy levels have already started dropping considerably, Shit, this sack, its killing me.

Zig-Zag way through dried water stream, up , up and up….is it going to really end somewhere?

People turned in to walking woodJ by now. The effort was no more manual, limbs were in motion, automatically they were moving and we were climbing up…..

At one point…I could see dead men walking ………Tyres were punctured ……the journey was slowing down….eyes were closing…..

Sacks Down, Men Down, All Down….. The batli point has been crossed.

17^th December around 1.30 Afternoon, dried stream.

Lunch packs are out, home food, now we really start valuing that food. The munching is also automatic, no force needed, jaws were moving automatically in the original torque.

Sproutes, chapati’s  , Chandrakant’s Happe(Vikas calls it Gappe) , Gul Poli, Paratha’s, Sauce and what not.

Sun on top, glaring with its natural capacity. Rest. Limbs back to normal a little bit. Energized we , started towards Moli Patch.

17th December around 3.00 afternoon, Moli Patch

This should be around 20 ft from its base but a dried trunk of a tree is aligned to its middle to make it little easier to climb. There is a crack on its left on the wall of Alang. Rope must be fixed. As getting to the dried tree and balancing on it is really tricky. One has to climb on dried tree, balance and start climbing the actual patch.

There is dent on the right hand side at knee height where you can fit in your right toe, then fix your left to either on tip of dried trunk or in the gap, take the upper holds and rise and you are done.

Vikas made the first climb, dangerously the belay was with Chandrakant down there on which Vikas, myself and nitin were self anchored, believe me if Vikas falls all fall. But he did it as usual. Fixed the rope above, I did second climb and nitin , the most important part last climb and taking off the rope.

Few hiccups with few people, especially Waghya(Ruishkesh Wagh, Madhav Kulkarni) but safe.

Now comes our Hanuman, Chetan Nike , the hulkJ,

Sack pulling is one painfull task which we have to go through while climbing, and this man(Hanuman) single handedly pulled all the sacks as if his hands were a pulley system and picking up the mithai boxes. He made it look really simple and nothing. Thanks Dude.

Waghya, already started with the batch ahead, good at least few people will reach early and capture the cave.

It’s getting late, sun coming down, intensity low. Up to Ganesh darwaja, and this sack sucks man….

I cant do it…. Vikas pulled up the sack on a small patch on the right of Ganesh Darwaja and I made my way.

17th December around 5.00 afternoons, Great Traverse

And Raw Started, endless traverse on right, valley on left, Kulang and Madan are covered by evening sunlight, golden, McKenna’s Gold as it seems or Gran Canyon.

Walking, Walking, Walking…..I wish I could walk all the way to Pune and grab a Johni Walker …..Dead man walking again…..

Sun is setting, 6.30 , people became dead slow, Zero Energy levels and  fall on left side. Feet are dragging, sliding, roughing, exhausted, crawling…walking….walking…..walking…..

God Bless Waghya, he is ready with water bottles in his hands, giving water to everybody who finished walking , what a relief, caves are in sight, somebody please carry me on shoulders, I don’t want to walk an inch more…..

Entire Alang is ours…..nobody else is there….Maaaz!

Sun sets, its dark, up in the cave…..water team is filling the water for food preparations…..

Chandrakant leading that effort, I’ve a question “what formula god has used to make this humanbeing named Chandrakant Mashalkar?”… this man completely finished in that Dried stream, from where he brings all the energy to walk down to water cisterns , and bring the water…..Salute! I’ve seen many participants in other treks, but this Man is of different make and standard. Never seen somebody like him, And the entire team , Chetan, Mrunal, Dinesh and rest, this is a Gang, This is “Band Of Brothers”, Again Salute(For who don’t know what does this mean, please google it, and you will understand what I mean by that).

10 hours…I’m done…..on my back….Don’t want to move a centimeter…. The bloody sack….lying next to me….I hate it….

Steamy tea, in hands (Thanks Madhav, Nitya), My NVIDIA mug out, sitting on the top of the cave on left side….. clear sky full of starts, the Dabang outline of Madan…..and torches on top of it..sight of human beings……

Garam Garam Khichadi...Little Salty but Heavenly Taste (Never tastes like this at home ..heheheehe) ……Commotion……Shouts…Cheers and laughs…….Automatic Munching……Chetan’s Joke’s, Waghya in pain….had a small fall on Moli patch…his forearms are aching….Thinking of Madan……Madan in front of me, from the entrance of the cave….

Enlightened faces, feel of satisfaction for many, sense of achievement through their smiles, giggles, hi-fi’s , hugs…..heavy eyes…..dozed off……

Grrrrrrrrrrr……Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr……..Grrrrr…..

Not AGAIN….

“Nishant SSSSSSSSS”, it’s not snoring its roaring. Yeh shanti  nahi  , Ashanti hai, Nevermind , he deserves this sleep after that wreck less traverse….Restless People, got some sleep, 6.00 AM, Vikas , calling it out for tea.

18^th December 7.00 AM towards Alang rock patch

Facing towards Madan, from left route goes up from cave to top of Alang, only me nitin and vikas at caves, rest left for top, Old structure and plenty of water cisterns on the top, I decided to back up Vikas, since he was carrying all the load of the activity on his head, I’m sure he was tired, but still lot more to do…..

He went to fix the rope for deadly rock cut steps for alang towards Rock patch. I followed after tea, geared up that bloody sack on my back…..

Chandrakant in the below picture

The path is on the right of the caves down to the water cistern, and beyond that along side of exposure, I was welcomed by a deadly slop, slippery, I could not manage with that sack on my back, slipped 2 times with exposure on right hand side, finally gave up and left the sack their, called out Vikas, we both dragged that sack to safe place, anchored myself and followed Vikas on those deadly rock cut step..at one point…you have to face towards steps…keeping Alang wall on your right…leaning on the wall….taking the holds on steps….holds are good but the steps keep narrowing as you go down….the tricky part was changeover of carabineer , where in the middle two ropes were joint……and fall on left hand side…..done……now turn back….face down…..and carefully take right …….and you are in cave….with Rock patch bellow….

This patch is almost 90 degree straight…….very small place to adjust your rappelling start. 2 bolts one hanger are placed in the wall, also natural hole is present for anchoring.

Sacks were kept in the cave, Hashmeet, he passed on the dabba of Upama which Nitya has prepared, me and Vikas munching it to the fullest, Harshmeet helping people to come down from those narrow steps.

18^th December  8.30 AM

 I rappelled down first, it was paining. I mistakenly asked Vikas to put me on full belay due to that heavy sack on  my back….looks like he didn’t like this considering my trekking experience…..he almost played around and I got stuck in middle…..he was not letting me go down…and mischievously asking me ….”You wanted Full belay? Take it..Take it….”…hehehe…No Pain No Gain….

I’m taking the rappelled participant down, taking off the gear with help from Chetan and Chandrakant(Thanks Guys, you have been a great help), preparing the set and sending it up again.

Meanwhile, Waghya started towards the Madan traverse taking the participants, me and Vikas about to wind up, a group from Mumbai, joined in to climb Alang, their lead climber made the ascent using our rope, he belayed Vikas to rappel.

All down. Safe and Sound.

18^th December about 10.00 AM Alang Wire Patch

Shit! Everybody is still here, we thought the people have gone much ahead, but all are stuck on Wire patch, 10-15 ft patch , not that difficult to climb down with the support of a wire attached by Villagers, god only knows why people were struggling, Again Rope setup, sacks down, everybody down and towards Madan,

Damn , this ate our one more hour or so, we are late, by the time we should have crossed Ghoda Patch.

18th December 11.30 AM Madan Khind

Traffic Jam. The group which was on top of Madan last night were climbing down, so we had to wait in Khind. So again, Chocolate sticks, Energy bars, Fruit and nuts, Relax, timepass.

Waghya decided to quit Madan, due to troubled forearms, and started with the other group to descend to the base village Ambevadi.

It’s getting late and late. We are worried that if we could really make it before sunset to the top.

It’s going to be tough and risky in dark to go over the deadly patch and the scree above. Let’s cross our fingers.

I offloaded the rice and other grocery items from my sack to others, but I think the sack had become mentally heavy for me.

Starting towards Madan…..

18^th December  Around 12.30 Ghoda Patch

Traverse, Some more rock cut Steps and Wow! Here comes the one of the thrilling points of Madan,  broken route of almost 15 ft, slanted towards Valley, more than 1000ft exposure, you have to face the rock, valley down and back….sack on your back pulling you towards valley, maintain the weight on the rock….anchored to the rope….First Stretch itself drives your nerves crazy….you go mad…..trembling……’coz you are exposed directly to the valye….you have to fix your fingers in blasting hole. (It is said that this route was broken using Canyons and mines by British to cut the food supply of Peshava's to win this fort in 1760 or so). Then Stretch your right leg, weight on your left leg, stretch as if you are sitting on a horse back (May be that’s why it’s called Ghoda[Horse] Patch, I’m sure if there is other rusting meaning behind its being called “Ghoda” Patch…).

Insert your fingers in the blasting hole on other side, transfer all your weight on your right leg, rise on it….and then slowly, carefully, sticking to the rock, through to the patch…and husssshhhhhhh! You are alive!

Vikas has gone ahead to fix rope to rock patch. Me and Harshal, helping people to cross this death marathon.

All done,  Nitin back, wind up the rope and started towards Dreadfull Rock patch…..

Youuuuuuuhoooooooo! This is just the beginning…..more and more thrills on your way….these steps are going to freak you out……full exposure on right side…..full inclined rock on your left side…….no rope support…..sack on your back…..your carry mat brushes on the rock wall…. The rock wall pushes you toward right slightly….and hahahahahaa! You become aware of Almighty God!  Wait….there is more to it…. first few steps you still manage…..now comes the turn……you have to go left…..wall is inclined on your body….your sack pulling you towards valley..Heart bits tripled…Cant think much…Focused on the step..slowly….careful….only one foot can be adjusted at a time…..dead slow…..and you are through…… You are torn apart…..l!!!!!! Harshmeet and Chandrakant had been great help on steps!

Hashmeet in bellow picture

Pppphhhhhheeeeewwwwwww!!! And AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!  No man…..this is cruelty…Dushta…..Dushta pana aahe ha….it’s not over….

Dabang Madan

Just finished this dungeon  steps and look…the Dabang and Powerfull  Madan is laughing at us…. And calling us out….to dare it…..

40 Ft Rock patch…right in front of us…..Adrenaline pumped, all charged, everybody was ready take it on…thanks to Vetal Tekadi Rock Quarry practice before trek….most of people were well guided, trained so confident. By now it’s 2.30 or so. Clock is ticking, Sunset timing is in head, 6.15…we must get on the top before that….we can’t risk ourselves climbing the last rock cut steps in dark…..

But it was destined…..

Gaurav Bellow

I was finished, for few seconds I thought I cannot make it this time….Madan winked at me….probably it laughed at me mischievously and said, “Come, why worry? I’m there to take you up!” , you have been here last time, and I welcome you this time as well, push a little hard, and you will make it”….and I saw Vikas on belay…..Nitin Anchored me….and I Climbed it again……Vikas smiling….was it Vikas or Madan…..

J

Few guys struggled but made it….they have done it…..they have conquered it…….they have fulfilled their dreams……Yooooooooooooooo Maaaaan! We are RAW…..and it ROOOCCCCKKKSSSS!!!!

Look at them….. Cheerfull…..inspired…..feeling accomplished…something great has been done…..every inhibition won over…thoroughly complete experience…….Top of the sky!

Vikas, me , enjoying the sight of those 13 Madan Aspirants, smiling from the corner of our eyes…..

This patch makes Madan the Dabang!

Madan takes the pleasure to challenge you, to dare you, it forces you to struggle to beat it, but finally it allows you to beat it, that’s the glory of Madan, the spirit of rock climbing Madan has…. You don’t conquer it,  Madan itself allows you to win! That’s the generosity of Madan!

It’s done!

18^th December 6.30 PM

It’s still not over yet!  Worst fears started becoming true….sun set happened….torches out…and we are still at the start of difficult scree. Vikas back again, fixed rope in the dark till the last step. And we anchored, to the rope, one by one slow, dead slow, and extremely careful in moon light and torches….same deadly rock cut steps but this time in complete darkness….Reached the cave….

I’m sure people made it because of darkness since they have not realized its thrill in the dark , they will tomorrow morning…..

Nitin on bonfire, Chandrakant with his usual team for water, nice tea, relaxed in the cave…

Entire Madan was ours…nobody was there…..Parat Maaz!

Chetan’s Jokes are back…Gupshup...top of the cave…Cheers….Khichadi…. Commotion…hi-fi’s …heavy eyes….Disprin……

Grrrrrrrrrrr……Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr……..Grrrrr…..

And AGAIN….

“Nishant SSSSSSSSS”, it’s not snoring its roaring. Yeh shanti  nahi  , Ashanti hai, Nevermind ,  This time its not Nishat it was  Chetan, Nishat was punished to sit and sleep….poor fellow….We made him sleep…..

“Chetaaanssssssss……

Grrrrrrrrrrr……Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr……..Grrrrr…..

Not AGAIN….

Restless People, got some sleep, 6.00 AM, Vikas , calling it out for tea.

19^th December 2010 top of Mandan

Kalsubai right infront, the Wide spread Arms of Alang in front, the rowdy Kulang at back, It’s a fair here…..Jatra…. Photos, photos and photos…..poses, poses and poses……styles, styles and styles…..Panorama’s everywhere…..All Dabang……and why not? The madan was Dabang so are we! ‘coz We are RAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Ger RAW!

Morning Tea and descending, first rock cut steps, scree but It has become a practice for us by now…the limbs were automatically moving…everything was automatic…..

Rock patch…..Nitya Colapsed…Sprain in his leg….Lemon…water…on his feet…..Rapple down….Nitin 1^st, I’m 2^nd, Chandrakant with me.. Nitin ahead fixing the rope for Ghoda Patch…..Chandrakant And Chetan with me ( Chandu is Duracell, his battery never ends, Chetan as I said Hanuman),  he kept all the sacks down to the steps, for which he at least went 6 times up and down the steps, then he helped me to prepare gear sets out of rappelled participants, then he went down, he carried my big sack to ghoda patch, there he helped a lot of people to cross….then he carried the sacks to the khind and he is back with me again at the rock patch. Hats Off!

We will ask somebody to make a movie on them, “Chandu-Chetan ki Jodi  No.#1”.

The Desperate Moment

It’s me on the patch self anchored, Harshal really apiring to watch Vikas’s last man rappelling. Vikas done the wind up, sack on his back, U loop is formed, double lock descender, through the natural  hole, rope ends are with me…he started….first step….And………

Aaa……break…..silence…..my heart bits almost stopped….Desperate moment…no thoughts…..eyes  wide open….jaws wide open…..Can you imagine?

Vikas has lost his balance….the only belay is with me….and he has fallen flat…..with his sack down….and his face up….completely parallel to the  valley……and locked….i had made up my mind to climb again if needed and help him….only Harshal was with me….I was thinking of options ….

Few seconds of chilling silence. “Vikas?”, I Called in desperation, “Yes, I’m there…..I’m safe” said Vikas…..

Setup did its job, he was safe, but the question was how will he rise again, but with little feeding of the rope and he was on his feet again and down he comes safely.

I Realized, it’s time for me to learn setup, to off load a lot of burden from Vikas, he had to manage all technical part single handedly , Sorry for this brother….Had I known the setup I would have been a great help….I missed Amit Govande, Avinav Rau….wish they could be here…….but nevermind….. the show was on….

Everybody was content , emotionally charged…..we started climbing down madan at 1.30 in the afternoon, reached the base 3.30. Mrunal “Bhaay” made the descend more enjoyable with his hindi.

After 3 days,  finally washed the faces with fresh water ……looking at Madan…..Saluting and Bowing to its Dabangness and promising it to come back……

With new bonds of strong friendship developed and strengthened …..Chandrakant, Chetan, Mrunal, Dinesh, Deepak, Sunil, Gaurav, Suyog, Hashmeet, Nishant, Karmarkar, Madhav

Signing Off….

The glass is filled again…..relishing…..the antiquity and Alang-Madan ….“RAW Unleashed”… “Endless Alang” and “Dabang Madan” and “One Desperate Moment…hoon, hoon dabang dabang….madan…madan….

PS: - Sorry for making it long, but can’t help it, if I don’t capture it, it will not be justice to alang, madan and those 13 participants who made this a lifetime event for us.