Sunday, November 20, 2016

Gundigadde Falls

It was a breathtaking drive, we spent most of the drive in silence completely overwhelmed by the beauty around us. After 3 hours bike ride we finally reached the village. It was such an amazing experience to get a glimpse of the people’s lives there, the kids and the elders were some of the warmest people you could ever meet.
Gundigadde falls is incredibly beautiful and unspoiled. Check out those lovely mountains, expansive rice fields, and thick woods. No wonder the air here is cool and refreshing.  After a short briefing we started a 30 minute hike to Gundigadde falls, the trail started with paddy fields and areca plants which meant that the noontime sun bombarded us with its full power. Thankfully though large trees and thick plants rose on either side of the trail and provided us a good shade. Along the way we found cool blossoms, I was amaze of the biodiversity.
The sound of a stream serenaded us, as we continued hiking the easy trail with the heat becoming more intense. After crossing the river and enduring an easy hike we arrived at top of the falls. Then finally we experienced our first glimpse of the Gundigadde Falls from the top. It was just beautiful! The 300 feet waterfalls was too inviting. Sans the sounds of human chatter and laughter, the rushing waters and the chirping birds are all singing to relax, enchant melody of Mother Nature. Once we reached the top it’s definitely worth to look at the vast rolling hills, slopes and valley.
I got even more excitement of, what the base of the highest level looks like: we hurriedly went down to get a final taste of it. We crossed the stream and climbed down the steep, grass covered rock cliff. There is nothing to grip the rocks; we have to use our hands and legs. By careful inching towards the mossy natural spillway we reached the bottom of initial stage of the waterfalls.
Gundigadde Water falls is in two levels. And further stream will join to Appemara madugundi.  The rocks in the bottom of the falls are quite slippery. The waterfalls fueled by hidden springs far beyond the mountains.
We continued to explore further levels.  Just few meters climbing down we are in the top of the second tire of waterfall. It has slippery rock bed and it is top of the second stage. This level is an example of a classic tiered or multistep waterfall. Each drop is similar to each other and has its own sunken plunge pool.
We tried to get in to the bottom of the lower tier but we couldn’t find a safe trail.  For more than an hour we had so much fun. We silently scrambled amidst the rushing water, withholding any conversation and enjoying the touch of Mother Nature.  Can you imagine how skillful her hands are in carving this natural wonder?
 Appemara madugundi
Arguably one of the most accelerating experiences I've ever had in Gundigadde. Just standing at the edge of Gundigadde Falls makes feel dizzy and cause shivers down in your spine but the adrenaline rush it offers is unbearably hard to resist. Waterfalls are not just wonders in nature but a blessing for hikers as well and the best example for this is the Gundigadde Falls.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Chigadi Falls

The drive to Jarkuvare Hill is truly breathtaking the scenery is jaw dropping as we climbed up this gigantic hill and then descends down to the valleys below. The hill is surrounded by many ruined forts like Kotegudda, Valakote and Diddagudda hill, many waterfalls and ruined Jaina’s temples.
A mile walks from Jarkuvare with the lovely forest and plantations which is by all means worth. The way the sun hits the tree tops, the leaves, and the small streams and hidden paths we carried on our adventure in a magical land.
The trek path is criss-crosses, we keep crossing the stream and again balancing ourselves on the stones in the stream to cross over. In winters as the water level is low crossing is not too much of a problem but I am sure in Monsoons there is no option other than wetting feet several times during the trek.
Wow! The jungle was just beautiful, nicely covered over our heads, as we continually passed streams and mini waterfalls; the last bit of going to the waterfall is very perilous. The acute senses of the local guide however took care of that. With his naked legs he slipped through leading the way everywhere scarcely touching the ground in his dexterity a fact that astonished us greatly. We were thus charmed and astonished by the inexhaustible power of nature that manifested itself at every step.
Chigadi waterfall is hidden from dense crop of trees. As we approached top of the waterfalls at its top edge a mouth formed of rock 70 feet height and 30 feet wide which devours the waterfall with frightful thirst. Such boulders are highly interesting but it would have been foolhardy for us to venture into this narrow waterfall without the necessary preparation.
While coming back we went to BangleGudde hill, spent some time and had beautiful sunset. Life is so beautiful in the lap of the nature. We need one more birth to enjoy each and every place. Looking forward another thrilling trek, we ended here.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Sannahirekai Falls

The First part of the journey was relaxed normal roads, paddy fields, waterfalls and the always stunning views of Jungles. The road snakes around the mountains and cuts through beautiful Jungle scenery and gorgeous green fields after a few more windy roads we headed down deep into the jungle. It took about 30 minutes to get to reach last house of the northern edge of the village, there we parked our motorbikes and we started down from the last house of the village and quickly entered into the forest.
The Sannahirekai (Sannadike) waterfalls is almost hidden from the view till you come quite close to it by a dense crop of trees. But once you see the whole waterfall it is very refreshing to the eyes. The waterfall must be about 200 feet in height and forms a small pool at the bottom before rushing further down. And most of the time when the sun is out you may get to see the rainbow being formed at the waterfall. After staying at the waterfall site we decided headed down to the base.
We were coming towards the end at the top of the waterfalls and for a small moment I thought its impossible to get down I have such an over active imagination the last climb down rocks and around trees on what appeared to me as a thin ledge just looked to dangerous.
I was gripping onto rocks with water cascading down. I was honestly awestruck at what I was getting to do, growing with each step until we find ourselves wading out to peer over the bottom of the first of various levels of waterfall.
As we reach base I would look back behind me at the luscious jungle and feel so grateful for the experience. It’s not every day that we get to do enjoy nature like this.  We were able to appreciate another little piece of our beautiful earth in probably one of the most stimulating and exciting ways.
It is with difficulty that one climbs down into this sight one finds below. It was an authentically splendid scene. What a breath taking sight and sound watching and listening as the water crescendos over the rocks and out into the BH River.
All around stood rocks luxuriously adorned with handsome plants like ferns, club moss, centradenium and other small shrubs. God might have taken the place for a masterpiece of tasteful gardening. When illuminated by the sun the dark green leaves already damp from the mud of atomized water give off splendid rainbow colours that compete with the bright red of the flowering begonias. Streams of water fall among them forming a bright silver band down over the rocks and producing an uproar that is doubly frightful in this narrow space.
Further down from here many bushes, bamboo and above all plantations adore the bank. After we had enjoyed the stately tableau for a long time and had refreshed ourselves in its stimulating coolness, we again climbed to the burning heights and set out on our way uphill mostly through lovely woods.
The trek is not very long from the village to the waterfall and back and I would rate it as an easy trek most of the way except for the last bit of climbing down to the waterfall which I would grade as tough.
I had the excellent company of Prashanth and Shrinivas. I say excellent as Shrinivas has superb knowledge of the local flora and fauna and he was instrumental in increasing my meagre knowledge in this area to some extent. During the whole trek one comes across several bird species and the area can be considered a treasure trove for the bird lovers. The trek was amazing our guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. This experience was only a tiny bit challenging and it was one of the best adventures!