EGT - Day 2

Day – 2 - Trek to Pedda Bidda – 22nd Dec 07

We started the day early at 4AM (Nature calls ;) ) and we were ready by 6AM.
All geared up to go for the kill (later at the end we were killed, coz of the first time trekking that too a long distance trek). So as usual the whistle blew and we all lined up for the breakfast by 8AM, along with that we had few photo sessions done and we were ready with our packed lunches and rucksacks. For the packed lunch, I was carrying the Puris and Anitha M'am was carrying the curry for us.



Everyone were so thrilled for the trek but were being killed by the waiting time for the Forest officer to flag off the trek event. We were said that its going to start by 8AM but time was passing and at 10AM the guest came and flagged off the event.




And so the day started, everyone were so energized and started with great spirits. The troop began to march into the hills after a strict head count(twice, we did the head counts). Initially it wasn't at all a hard one to walk along with the baggage at our back, later as we were ascending the hills slowly could feel the weight. But that was nothing towards the enjoyment that we were doing. Adoring nature as we walk through the hills and streams. As It was the first day everyone were walking as per the instructions laid to us. Well we were following our guide Tycon and our group in charge was following us at the back and our environmentalist leader Master Ankit was busy in ordering us not to litter plastic and chocolate wrappers in the way. Ankit did a good job as an environmentalist.
At around 1PM we halted for a lunch near a stream and under a huge mango tree. It was nice spot to have lunch as the scenic was a picture perfect with beautiful valley at the backdrop. I was on a lookout for Anitha m'am for the curry. When I met her, she started playing pranks that the curry got finished and they ate it on the way itself. After a few moments of having made me fool around, I had my curry and we all had a good lunch break. By the lunch break time itself few trekkers were tired and were making themselves comfortable there for a nap. But had just halh-an-hour break and again we started. At that time itself some of them were fuming at the guide, asking him about the distance still to be covered. Tycon was replying them its just a few more distance "just one more hour of walk". And so we all started again this time with baggage and heavy stomachs (hahaha). Now there were groups forming up. In one group, experience was being shared about their past treks, then in another about the culture of Maldives. In our group about the works that we do. And some they were walking walking and on. We were like on a marathon, kept on walking walking. But I should say it was the beauty of the ghats that didnt made us feel tired. The valleys were so deep and lush in green color. The sky was showing up in dark blue color as the valley was free from pollution the air was so clean. We were at a height by now and from the place where we stand was an awesome view of the valley. It was the beautiful sight .Everyone by this time were feeling very tired as we were continuously ascending and descending the valley. All our bottles became empty and wherever we find stream again filled them with water. To our batch(myself, krish, srikanth and sriram) some more rucksacks were added. They were the bags of the kids. They were totally taken aback by the valley and so all their luggage were now on our heads and shoulders. Phew!! But they were feeding us with biscuits and water from their share too!! And so we came across a village and all the kids started playing with a flock of sheep. We just halted there for a while and some of them started interacting with the villagers and I was busy taking photographs for others who were giving pose with lambs out there. It was around 3PM and still we had a long way to go. It was the first day and we had a grueling task up till now. After a brief halt started our journey. We were so tired and it was like we all were left alone in a desert and there were no directions to the destination and just walking walking. But to me it was like joy with no bounds, as I wanted this kind of trek to happen in my life and was doing so ;).
Finally we were said that the camp is just around the corner and by descending the steepy hill will be reaching the camp. And by hearing this there was a "Josh factor" arouse in all of us and started moving very fast. But after descending we came across a road, it did not looked like a road but like a bed and everyone relaxed on that.

Well we all waited for the others to rejoin and then marched for the camp. An interesting part was, the camp which has to be at Pedda Bidda got shifted to Cherukumedatha. It was because of scarcity of water at that place. So we travelled half a kilometer more than the actual said distance. But that was nothing. On the way to camp, some of the members stayed back just 100 meters from camp at the stream. They had a good evening bath in the cold. Boy!!! I was feeling cold and dropped the idea to get into water. So we reached the camp at around 5:30PM. The evening was so beautiful, with a full moon rising and slowly could feel the chill in the air. To that we had a warm welcome at the camp with a "Rasna Drink". We had a hot cup of tea (a bit watery tea!!) then a bowl of peanuts. It was all for a hard day's work!! We were sheltered in a church that night and for ladies a small house in that village beside the church. We ended the day with a speech by the local Paster and again with a set of instructions for_____ (Good guess!!, NCs).
Attention please!!!!! uh hhhhmmm!!! Here at this place we met a new set of people. "Beebatsam Trekkers" by which they were called. Mr Venu, Mr Prasad and co! They all joined lately and came from Hyderabad for this trek. They were a very cool and jovial persons.