Trek to Ettinabhuja

We are pretty happy that there is lot of enthusiastic participants for the trek programs. The day called on 14^th Nov 2008 when we left for ETTINABHUJAA a tough trekkers paradise located between Dharmastala and Kukkesubramanya.

Ettinabhuja is a name provided by localities as the peak resembles the shoulder of the OX from a sight. This time on announce of the trek brought us the immediate reply from nearly 35 participants. Since we had already had a limitation with a NRS Travel service vehicle to 22 persons we sincerely cut-off to 22 first come basis. we left for the day on 14^th Nov 2008 to Shishila (base camp for the trek) which is enroute dharmastala – Gundya cross – Shishila. The road to shishila is quite worst and not a pleasurable one.

Day 1: 15^th Nov 2008

We reached Shishila around 7.00 Hrs in the morning and as already planned contacted Mr. Gopu Gokhale, a well known person in the region for his hospitality for providing breakfast, lunch and guide for the trek. We had refreshed ourselves and had Kottu (a form of IDLY in canara regions) with vegetable gravy salad as side dish. Everyone geared for the trek and had our backpack with light snacks, water bottles and most necessary CAMERA. We were accompanied by Guide, a local person who carried our lunch along with.

The starting 13 Kms of the trek can be easily traveled by Jeep who charges around Rs. 250 for 10 persons in a Jeep. We hired 2 numbers and reached the spot from where we need and must trek. The trek is around 8-9 kms from here and nearly hard as the path ascends continuously without any flat route. The route is quite dry and densly covered making no room to view any surrounding. After about 4-5 kms we witness the Grassland from where we can mark up the EttinaBhuja Peak and nice location for relaxation. Continue the way towards the peak from here is quite confusing as the grass here can grow upto 8-9 ft high and nearly covers the persons who travel front or back of us and tracking them will be quite difficult. Nearly at about 1 kms to Peak you will find the water paths and that to be needed to identify as we need to go the shallows tracing the sound of the water flow. REMEMBER: THERE IS NO ANY WATER POINT ONCE YOU START TREKKING AND CAN FIND ONLY NEAR THE PEAK.

Since we are all exhausted and already 4-5 members totally dried out without water to drink, they just turned back half the way, we just relaxed at the water point and had our lunch (The time as remember was around 1530 Hrs). Relaxed for a while and our guide warned that the reaching the peak may be impossible as the time runs out and the days were nearly to the NO MOON day. The path back to base is also quite confusing as we started descending in a batch and lights were already vanished with heavy dark in the forest region.

With help of only 5-6 Torch and supporting mobile lights and Guide we reached the base around 2030 Hrs. The road was totally dark without moonlight, without street lights, without vehicles. Out guide called the Jeep persons and by around 2200 hrs we reached Shishila and left to Dharmastala.

Day 2:

16^th Nov 2008

We had a early morning dharshan of Sri Manjunatha SwamI around 0600 Hrs and had a breakfast and left to SAUTADKA SRI VINAYAKA TEMPLE. Had a dharshan and reached SRI KUKKE SUBRAMANYA. Witnessed pooja and some rituals and had lunch in the temple. Left for the day via Bisale Ghat Section and reached bengalooru around 2200 Hrs.

INTERESTING FACTS:

1: The New variety of Breakfast for some new comers, who enjoyed the breakfast and had a lot.

2: Crossing the river barefooted and on sharp, slippery stones providing entertaining by skidding.

3: Carrying 2 fullpack lunch items for 22 persons.

4: VALUE of water (even for few droplets)

5: Offering from some participants of Rs. 2000/- for 1 litre of water

6: Challenging to Rs. 2000/- few offered to give their credit card in exchange for water.