Irshalgad Trek

"Monsoon without trekking is a monsoon wasted!"

Having wasted two such monsoons due to the pandemic, I was eagerly waiting for July since the start of the year 2022. As a part of the ActivIT initiative, the CommunIT team had organized three treks: Visapur (2017), Naneghat (2018), Sondai (2019). July 2022 commenced but there were no signs of trek being organized; due credit to something. Finally, the first teaser was mailed in the last week in July. The trek was finalized for Irshalgad and the date was 6th Aug 2022. We had to fill in an online form for registration. Around 60+ enthusiasts have registered, but as the trek date approached, many dropped off. Now the question was whether the trek would happen or not. Hopefully, the count of around 30 trekkers did make it happen. Kudos to the CommunIT team for managing the last-minute changes on transport and reworking on the pickup points. We received a mail on 5th Aug detailing the trek itinerary, participants list, pick up points and guidelines to follow. We were also added to the Trek WhatsApp group. I got things ready for the trek: windcheater, small sack, and trek shoes. The trek would not be the same as the ones before the pandemic. One reason being that a lot of my trekker friends switched job. Another reason being that the body is so used to WFH, will it have the same energy levels as it had for the previous treks. Clearing this cloud of worries, I slept with a positive dream of making new friends and reaching the top.

6th Aug 2022 Early Morning:

I started from Virar in 5:11AM Churchgate train along with Lozika Shah and her friend Jahnavi. We had to reach the first pickup point, the Omkareshwar Temple, Borivali East at 6:15AM. Prathmesh Khedekar was coordinating here. When we reached the venue, the trekkers lot had gathered under the flyover. It was raining continuously that morning. Finally, the bus arrived, and our journey started from Borivali at 6:30AM. It was nice to meet Sagar Talati after a long time. He had joined the trek along with his wife, Nupur. Others included Mubasshir, Yash and Shriyash. We drove towards the second pickup point, Head Office Santacruz. Chandu (Chandrashekhar Todur) was coordinating here. He also carried the lunch packets. The trekkers lot assembled at the HO main gate; it included the CSK gang from Santacruz and some folks from Western lines. They boarded the bus, and we continued the further journey at 7AM. The last pickup point was Vashi. Shiva (Shivabalan Nadar) was coordinating here. The final lot of trekkers from the Central lines boarded the bus. We drove on the flyovers and under the flyovers, decorated with graffiti. We further halted at the Kalamboli McD for bio-break and some quick breakfast. Instead of quick bites, happy meals were ordered 😋. 

I had breakfast with Shraddha Khadye. Her sister Pooja and friend Gaurav had joined the trek. Finally, we wrapped up around 9AM and continued the journey towards the base village, Nanivali. The bus was parked on the outskirts of the village near the Morbe Dam at around 10AM. Basic instructions were given by Shiva and Chandu. Lunch packets were also distributed: it included club sandwich, potato wafers, maaza tetra pack juice, anytime cake (this was really tasty). Water bottles were also arranged. We headed towards the dam for a few photo clicks. Here is a group photo of enthusiastic System trekkers before the trek commenced:

10:30AM Ascending to Irshalgad

We started walking on the tar road of the Nanivali village. After walking for some time, the sole of one of my shoes gave up. Well, it was not the case only with me. There were many others whose soles got separated from the shoes while commencing the trek. We did apply fevikwik but it was all in vain. The initially ascending patch was sweaty, exhaustive with no rain. As we ascended, the surrounding view looked greener and pleasant. There were a few food stalls selling maggi, wooden sticks, lemon juice, etc. It rained on and off for some time. 

Around 12PM, we halted for a lime juice break at the outskirts of Irshalwadi village. Some did try javelin throw using the trekking stick. We entered Irshalwadi, passed through the village houses. The trail ahead was muddy and slippery. Both the soles had separated from the shoes by now, and I had no idea how to go ahead. Chandu told me to tie the shoelaces around the shoes and it did help. We reached the Irshaldevi mandir at 12:45PM and took a small break. The peak seemed to be a little closer than the earlier picture.

The trail ahead was through the forest and was muddy and slippery. We passed through some open fields, then a huge banyan tree, then the steep patch. Now on the path narrowed and we had to walk straight. Again, there was a steep and rocky route. The rocky path is difficult to climb since it's slippery, while the muddy path is easier since the shoes hold on to the mud. Post the rocky route, we had another steep muddy route to climb and there we were in front of the pinnacle at 01:15PM.

01:30PM Top of Irshalgad

Few of us started with the journey to the top, while the rest of the trekkers were relaxing in the shack or wondering around it. We started walking through the right side, passing through the edge of the rocky path. Then we had to climb a series of rocks. We got stuck in trekkers traffic here, and eventually climbed this section. 

Later we had to climb up using the rope. I stopped at this point while the others went ahead to the needle point. Since I did not go ahead, cannot describe it. 

I was sitting on the rock, enjoying the greenscapes, waiting for these folks to come down. It was 2:30PM now and it started raining and getting foggy. There was a point when I could see nothing but the fog. Well, I had not expected such a ME time. Finally, the folks started descending at 3:15PM and we reached the shack. We ate the lunch packets, few even had maggi. Some got busy clicking selfies, some were resting on the benches. It started raining and we took shelter in the shack. It was then we realized that a group photo was pending. Mukesh braved to take the click in the heavy rainfall.

4:30PM: Descending to base village

We waited in the shack for some time, but it was still raining heavily, and the environment was foggy. You can view in the above picture; the background is so foggy that the pinnacle is hardly visible. Some relished hot masala maggi, some had tea-coffee. Finally, we made the decision to start descending. After walking through the flat plateau, we descended on the slope. You can imagine a straight forward but sloppy trail with fog on its both sides. We reached the rocky patch and then traversed the jungle route, passed by the huge banyan tree and finally reached the mandir. Then we walked through the Irshalwadi village. I was with the CSK folks including Lesli, Pavithra, Chandra Vamsi and others. I missed my CSK friends (Velankanni, Sindhu, Pavithra D, Ligory). We could not figure out the path to get ahead, villagers helped us. Due to rainfall, the path ahead was slippery, and it was difficult to find grip for those whose soles had got separated from the shoes. We reached the base village Nanivali, walked along the tar road and finally reached our bus. We headed towards the dam for a few photo clicks. Here is a group photo of enthusiastic System trekkers after the trek was successfully completed:

We started from the parking point at 6:30PM. What I remember before dozing off, was the singing from the backseats. Some trekkers departed at Vashi and we drove towards HO gate to drop the next lot. Six of us, Chandu, Lozika, Jahnavi, Shraddha, Pooja and I got down near the turning below the Western Express Highway to board the train from Santacruz. Few got off at Andheri, while the remaining lot departed at Borivali pickup point. I boarded a Virar slow from Santacruz and reached home at 10:45pm.

Thus, it was a soulful and soleless experience!!