After a long time it was time for testing our (Devang, Roka and yours truly) endurance. Chembra (trek in Kerala) was tough for me. Sinhgad proved moderate but enjoyable what with numerous small huts at regular interval where one can rest and have lime juice and Taak etc. Not carrying a cap was a mistake as most of the ascent occurred during mid-day. Flying fox (valley crossing over rope) was new for us. At INR 100 it was very cheap but there was no security measure. Lunch (Jhunka Bhakri, Kanda bhajji etc.) after you reach the top is amazingly simple yet delicious. After lunch we rested under cool shade of a tree for about 30 min. After that we began our descent. Descent is always tougher than the ascent as is written in Jeff Archer’s Paths of Glory. After all, George Mallory died during descent from Mount Everest (controversial though).
While coming down we found some people climbing up with telescope and other gears to spend the night on top of the hill. Wow! The very idea of lying down under the starlit sky and locating different constellations with no urban noise in the background – what would i not give to be part of such a setting! Not to forget waking up to birds’ chirping and first rays of the sun. Some day.
