Monsoon Hike – Kuduremukha Trek

I never get bored to revisit the same place again and again! The monsoon was on peak, leaches were more active and not discounted to anyone, rain showering continuously, in between little pause, the valley was completely green everywhere, overall it was more challenging descended of 12KMs stretch on single leg!!! This was overall experience of Monsoon hike to Kuduremukha on 23 – 24 July 2016.

The 2016 maiden monsoon hike to Kuduremukha decided a month ahead considering everyone convenient time.  The first time Kuduremukha was in 2013. Team size we seized to 12 members; at last moment one dropout so we become 11 members; hired a Tempo Traveler.  Friend Shanthi Prasad spoke to the Arun, the care taker of Kuduremukha trek and made all arrangements.

Bengaluru – Balegal – Mullodi – Kuduremukha – Mullodi [Night Halt]

Mullodi – Balegal – Kalasa – Horanadu – Bengaluru

22.07.2016

This time purposely we skipped the pickup point of Shanthala Silk, Majestic.  Most of the friends’ along with me were boarded at Kathriguppe, near Shanthi home.  On the way joined other friends at Nayandahalli, Nagarabavi & final pickup at Goruguntepalya.

There was a surprise for me of my birthday! My beloved friend Shanthi Prasad arranged the Birthday celebration in the TT.  

It was very excited and happy moments for me.  I never celebrated my birthday till time and even I always hide this day to everyone.  It is my friends love towards me, life first cake cutting took place during the journey.  I am very thankful to Shanthi & other friends. The journey was continued towards Kalasa.

23.07.2016

We reached the Balegal early morning around 4.30 am.  The nature welcomed with light drizzling in between heavy rain. Jeeps were ready to take us Mullodi, which is the starting point of the trek.  The distance around 8KMs between Balegal and Mullodi where only 4x4 jeeps can ply.  We enjoyed the monsoon off road jeep ride till Mullodi.

Shanthi arranged this time a different place stay, Arun home.  He welcomed us with warm greetings and smile.  A very friendly guy with great Malenadu hospitality.  Definitely we can’t measure their love and affection.

There was one more group joined with us in Arun home.  One by one finished our morning cores and sipped a hot coffee.  Arun briefed about the day program and asked us to get ready to venture the Kuduremukha. Finished the yummy breakfast.

The rain again on its speed; we are more thrilled to hike the Kuduremukha in the monsoon.  Filled our lunch box, wear the rain jacket. We took a group photo and started our journey around 8 am.  

The entire valley was green, everywhere the streams were flowing; it was green festival to all of our eyes.

Forest department made a check post before the entrance to Kuduremukha National Park.  In the previous visit we have to pay the fees at Balegal.  It is good improvement, however the entry fees is become double. Finished our formalities and entered in to the forest.

The hike take you gradually ascend with many grass land.  The trail is 90% open grass land and very less in the dense forest.  

Leeches were more active in the forest range.  

Spotted many deer in the grassland. Taking many small breakup reached the peak at 12 Noon.

There was lot of wind and mist, the beauty of the valley could not able to enjoy.  Spent good time for photography and finished our lunch.  Now it is time to move back, started way back to the base point.

I was started to get the pain on left leg knee while the final stretch ascend of the Kuduremukha.  Now the pain got increased and could not able to fold my leg.  It is become a challenge me to descend around 12 Kms.  There was nothing left except to descend on one leg.  The limping journey started from the peak.  I am very great thankful to my friend Chandru who was with me at each step from peak to till end of the trail.  Appreciate his patience and motivated me to finish the trek.

The rain was pouring non-stop; the valley clouds were playing hide & seek; in between we could have a beautiful glance of valley.  At last reached the Arun home around 6 pm.

Hot tea & bonda ready; finished the snacks and felt little relax.  There are couple of friends badly injured by leeches.  Very first time seen so much bleeding; Chandru affected badly.  The bleeding started in the afternoon still it was continued.  Arun’s family helped us to apply some homemade medicine to stop it.  Hot water bath made me so relaxed and leg pain was reduced somewhat.

Delicious dinner was ready, stomach needed very badly.  We finished yummy dinner and allotted us the terrace [In Kannada – Atta] for night halt.  It was very big atta; we all settled for night sleep.  All of us is a new experience of this place.

24.07.2016

The morning was very relaxed one, we have no any trekking today.  Initially we wanted to do second day Baavikonda trek, however in consultation with all member tiredness we dropped it.  Finished the morning core duties and had hot coffee.

Few of us wanted to visit a small water stream near Arun home.  We spent good amount of time in the stream.  Many of our friends tempted to jump in the water and enjoyed a lot.

Breakfast was ready; had the tasty Dosa & Upama in the breakfast.  We all packed up our kit and ready to adieu Kuduremukha.  Jeeps arrived on time, said good bye to lovely Arun’s family.

Reached the Balegal around 11 pm, the TT was ready to take us back Bengaluru.  We had enough of time so decided to visit Horanadu Annapoorneshwari temple.  This is my third visit to this temple within a month of time.

Took mother Annapoorneshwari Darshana around 12 Noon and had prasad.  We left the Horanadu around 2 pm and comfortably reached Namma Bengaluru by 7 pm.  The overall trek was awesome and most memorable one.

I am so thankful to Chandru who taken care till to reach the basecamp of Kuduremukha.

Team: