Friday, June 3, 2005

Yadakumeri trek

Yadakumeri trekking

This was my first trek in my life which I had been on last weekend. The trek starts from a Yettinagundi (around 20Km from Sakleshpur). You've to trek for around 17Km to reach Yedakumeri station. Some of our friends stayed in one of our friend's house in Udane on previous day and me and my friend reached them next day morning. We hired a jeep till gundya then we walked in NH-48 till Yettinagundi. So we had walked nearly 30kms on that day from morning till evening. The whole trek is amidst dense forests and you've to tread on the railway sleepers. You'll miss out most of the scenery as you've to keep seeing every step. This was very scary while we were crossing the bridges. Its nearly 100ft in height or more than that and you could see the thick trees down,if you slipped one step you will end up your life in 100ft steep and getting the body also very difficult.So we were very careful while crossing the bridges.
The whole route is full of tunnels and bridges....which are quite scary for the weak-hearted ones. A battery is a must to enter tunnel as they are pretty long and pitch dark.
You'll find many water sources on the way where in you can swim and bathe. Yedakumeri was our final destination (if time was not the problem then one can go till Kukke Subramanya where you'll encounter with the longest tunnel and bridges....it requires an extra day).
Railway Briges
Whats that Yadakumeri...
Yeadakumeri is actually a junction....it has some really breathtaking views. Of course....you cant expect high quality rooms over there...you'll only get rooms which will protect you from rains...there are no doors for the rooms...no toilets around.
Its really worth visiting this place once....if you're planning, make it fast.....cos this path will be closed for trekkers once the trains start plying (currently meter to broad gauge conversion was being done).

Cave
This was very adventurous trek I ever had...ops crossing the railway bridges was horrible experience,you don't get any side rails to hold,you have to totally balance your body,you shouldn't rush. The great thing was we used to get longest bridges one by one. Crossing the caves also a horrible experience,there were lot of bats leaving inside the caves. They will shit on you and you have to stop in between while 1000's of them were flying once...you have to be very careful..

Some info:
How to get there : you have to manage to go till Yettinagundi
How long is the trek: nearly 20-25Kms
How long will it take: Assuming that you take 2 breaks (lunch & breakfast), spend some time in swimming and bathing and some short breaks for resting you'll take around 10 hours.
Where to stay: at Yedakumeri junction....few rooms are available....carrying tent would be a good idea.
Is it risky: yes some of the sleepers on the bridges are burnt and are very weak....people might find it very scary,crossing in a group may not be suggestable.
Must haves: powerful torch, food (you get absouletly nothing on the way), water bottle and something to sleep on..