Discovering the pictorial splendidness of nature in Nalichi Vaat. 

Tire blasted Via Belpada

We started our journey from  Hyderabad to Harischandragad with the team of 12 members. We all met at Begumpet railway station and took a train to reach Pune and from there to Belpada. Unfortunately, the tire of the bus we were traveling in  blasted  on way to Belpada and we were all a bit unhappy but we took this to be a chance to get down and refresh ourselves.  

Journey in mini bus was amazing. Eying amazingly beautiful mountains, we were all beside ourselves. We were enjoying every moment of ours and it was hard for one and all to keep off their eyes from this wonderful scenario. We were least bothered about paying penalty to the police guys. Weather was distinctly cold (so cold that one can even feel the water droplets spraying one's face). The water flowing from the top of the mountain was really a beautiful sight to behold. Nearly at a distance of every 100 miles we found a water fall and people were enjoying there. Ranga and Arun raj were estimating the hight of the mountains but their efforts were futile. They couldn’t  get succeeded in gaging perfectly as it was completely  covered with fog. 

Trekking from Savarne Village:

We started  trekking from the mountainous area to reach Belpada and all of us  were very much tired because we had been traveling since a long time and had covered such a long distance, carrying 10 kg of weight across shoulders in our traveling bags. Water that which was flowing from the mountains and passing through the village area was so very crystal clear that we were unable to restrict ourselves from swimming. We didn't think of the village people there who observed us getting us ready to jump into the warmly beautiful water. Village people were kind enough to rent us a room there we spent our night speculating our journey in the morning.

When tired of speculations of our journey ahead we were trying to get ourselves drown into sleep but were unable to. We were all in one room with two strong buffaloes keeping an eye on us (That seemed to be).  With mountains in the background and considerably long water body lying beside our room, it was difficult to close eyes and sleep. Continuous grunting and croaking of the frogs made us think of the possibilities of the snakes ambling around. Even there was no electricity but still some of us slept soundly enough.  It was one of the best of the beautifully scary nights I ever spent. 

First Rock Patch -30ft high

We all woke up early in the morning at or around 5 O clock to explore Nalichi Vaat.  It was most beautiful but the most dangerous trekking we ever set for.  Nalichi Vaat is a route between the two mountains and it is connected with rock patches. It was very difficult trek because the wind was blowing at an unusual speed and on the top of that it was raining accompanied by bouts of thundering sounds. Watery rays  were hitting our faces. We managed to cross five big patches. Among them four presented us a big challenge to overcome but we all climbed up higher and higher and of course with minor injurious. I must say that the rock climbing here in Nalichi Vaat can only be for the professional rock climbers and can not be for the beginners. Climbing here in the rain can prove to be very dangerous for novices.

First rock patch was perpendicular and C shaped and it was around 30ft high. Sailesh, Krishna, Ranga and me climbed up. The surface of the rock was quiet slippery with no proper grabs and to add to the difficulty of climbing water was flowing down in our direction but we successfully managed to climb up and pulled other guys up with the help of rope. 

Second Rock Patch -40ft High

Second rock patch was at a height of 40ft. We could find grabs but were not reliable. Rock grabs were loose and came off at certain places and terrified the watchers who were viewing from below. I managed to climbed up and gave belay to others to help them come up. From second rock patch to third rock patch we had take a U turn at the edge of the cliff. A minor mistake would have led us to 1500 ft down the level.

The third patch was the most difficult one as we were already at a height enough to scare even the most bravest of the souls. The most difficult part of the climbing was to firmly attach ourselves longitudinally to the slippery surface of the rock which seemed to pulling us off every minute, threatening us to throw down. Holding on firmly and courageously moving on, we reached the fourth patch which didn't seem difficult to reach on as we were all sanguine of success, crossing three big hurdles on our way to the top. Some of  our trekkers struggled a lot to come up and even got some minor injurious.

Fifth Rock Patch- 90 KM/H Wind speed  

Way to fifth rock patch was uneven. Besides this, the weather was not at all supportive. The wind was harshly or fiercely hitting us and hurdling our way to the top. We were already at a height of 1800 ft. It was all foggy and we were all wet and tired but we didn't give up. We headed forward with zeal and newer enthusiasm. Krishna and I climbed up with our luggages. Reaching there on the top of the fifth patch, we were unable to firmly keep our feet together as the wind was blowing with all speed (approximately 90Km / Hr) and the fog surrounding us blindfolded us. It was difficult to  see or hear anything. I was thinking of how to pull up other guys and luckily when I found  a bolt, must have been fixed by some professional climbers. I tied myself round belly and were trying to pull up all others who were struggling to come up then all of a sudden wind accompanying rain lashed on us. It was so very difficult to look down as the wind and rain were striking at every move of ours. Some big rocky chips fell on Jyothi and Ranga that scared us much but we didn't stop there. We accomplished our task.   

Harischandragad Trek

We trekked a few kilometers to reach Harishchandragad. We were actually coming closer and closer to nature. The beauty of nature revealed itself to us and kept many of us engrossed for a couple of times. We wondered at every beautiful flower we saw there. The wind blowing in gusts magnetized us much more with fog enveloping our way. It took 13 hours to completely cross this Nalichi Vaat and to reach  Harischandragad where we saw historical hill fort and caves. We spent night in a cave though we had a hotel located there on the top of the hill near the fort and temple.  

Early in the morning next day we started trekking around the cave-area. Walking for a few minutes, we again came across a rock –patch . It was small narrow path on which railing were fixed that took us to Khireshwar. Analyzing the height we were above from the ground, we took great care while moving on (it was difficult as the whole area was covered with fog).

A note conveying thanks:

Mr Venkee well organized this trip. It would not have been possible to trek considering all danger involved in it. It took him 2-3 months to properly come to  a conclusion to find appropriate routs and select trek members who have zeal to take up the challenge to overcome the difficulties that Nalichi Vaat present to all rock climbers.

A million thanks to GHAC for making it possible to root out the fear factor.

Note: Trek Members have expertise in rock climbing and bouldering. To trek in  Nalichi Vaat proper rock climbing equipments are indispensable.  Trekking Nalichi vaat in winter and rainy season is an act of do or die. Beginners or those scary of heights are strictly not recommended to try trekking anytime there.

Trekking stars -GHAC Members- Wild Star Venkee ,Jungle Star Jyothi , AllTime Star Arun Raj,  RockStar RANGA , Burning Star Bharath, Keka Star Krishna, Single Star Srikanth , Happy Star Hrishikesh , Sliding Star Sailesh, Rebel Star Raghu , Anti Star Ayush, Ground star Goutham)