After the breaks of the summer, it was time for rains and and with the month of June over, we started planning within the org the treks which can be taken up by the team. This time we all decided that it will be Sudhagad.
Based on LatLong, 18.5388° N (or 18° 32′ 20″ N) & Longitude: 73.3204° E (or 73° 19′ 13″ E)- Sudhagad was earlier known as Bhorapgad is a hill fort situated in Maharashtra, India. It lies about 53 kilometres (33 mi) west of Pune, 26 kilometres (16 mi) south of Lonavala and 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) east of Pali in Raigad District. The summit is 620 metres (2,030 ft) above sea level.[1] The entire area around the fort is declared a Sudhagad wildlife sanctuary.
This was trek where I brought along by spouse. This was our first trek as a couple and after marriage. Our org has the policy of bringing along kids or spouse. Hence this time I was accompanied by her.
Even before we boarded the bus, the first challenge had hit us. The caterer who works for us had messed up the dates and days. They had not prepared the necessary lunch which was requested. Hence one of the members of the org committee called us and mentioned this goof-up. We all remained calm and mentioned that we would discuss the same in the bus and way forward. This time around we also had a French folk amongst us who was employee exchange program participant within the org.
We boarded the bus at Bhakti Shakti and moved towards Sudhagad, via the Expressway. We were to exit towards Pali post Khalapur. We had our breakfast at Khalapur. With the situation of food in mind, we made a stop at Pali Ganapati temple. While this was happening, we found out a vendor who could help us quickly. We had reached the Pali temple by 9am IST and it was difficult to find a vendor who could provide food for 40+ members is a short time. One of the vendor who ran a food eatery mentioned that the team wait 2 hrs mini. This was not acceptable, hence we made a decision that 2 of our org committee members would stay back and bring food later. This was agreed and we moved ahead.
View of Taila- Baila from Sudhagad
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| Taila Baila View - Also known as the Molar Tooth |
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| View of Taila Baila covered with Clouds |
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| Taila Baila at a distance |
While climbing from base it was raining like crazy and I could not click much of the picks while climbing, but as soon as we were at the top, the rain had subsided. So I got a chance to click pics.
The top of the fort is large flat bed and one will find a lot of fort remains only at the top.
The rain had hammered everyone and it was difficult to find a place to rest. At to this we were also awaiting 2 more of our colleagues who were carrying the food for all of us.
By the time it was almost 3pm and we received the news that 2 of the colleagues who were to carry our lunch had arrived and we all then hurriedly had our lunch at the Wada on Sudhagad fort.
Post lunch we roamed around the fort and it was time to leave.
While descending the fort, we had 2 members of the team left behind and it was worrying us. Me and my wife stayed back while the other team descended downwards, we kept calling out their names so that if they have missed any turn, they come back towards the voice and locate themselves with us. After around 45 mins they were back on track. The 2 had missed a turn and gone the wrong way.
We finally all met and walked towards the bus which was waiting for us, it was getting dark and we were late to the bus. The team had freshened up and we were to freshen, hence we took some 15 mins and we all were off to on our way back to Pune. It was one trek where the rain was relentless and we had to make our way through all of this. Add to that the lunch and lost team members made this trek a memorable one.
Hope you enjoyed reading. Until next one. Keep reading.
Abhijit More
Pune
