Monsoon Magic at Tadiandamol, Kodagu [Coorg]

Monsoon was at peak time; all rivers – lakes were flowing across the valley; the entire range is decorated by green carpet; many small waterfalls on it glory; mist, rain, wind, leaches made the trek more beautiful and challenging; spontaneous variety of food-snacks throughout the journey!!! Yes it is Tadiandamol weekend trek with BangaloreAscenders on 27 – 28^th June 2015.

Tadiandamol is second highest peak in Karnataka located near Kakkabbe, Virajapete Taluk, and Kodagu District. It was a very special trek for me since my close friend Suresh organized the event. The person who is motivated me and become made me mad about the treks, thank you so much Suresh. Secondly thanks to Shanthi Prasad, a wonderful person who made me to join this trek.

I had been the base point of the trek Nalakhand Palace thrice before this; however I could not able to venture it. The main constrain, I was with family on vacation. This is one of to-do list of my treks since long time.

26.06.2015

When I saw the preparatory mail by Suresh where he clearly assigned each and individual person to get the things. The list was endless and great effort by my friend. Just got a shock, I asked myself “Are we going to trek? Or any party celebration”.

The grocery items listed below:

Name	Item Description
Karthik	Ghee 250gms x 2 Pkts (Nandini only)
Shanthi Prasad	Tomato/ Vegetable Soup Packets for 25 persons & Tarpaulin
Vidyasagar	Knife 1
vivek bhat	2 Breakfast & 1 Dinner preparation items
Satish G	Potato 1kg
Kota M Anvinash	Capsicum – 2 Kg,
Basavaraj S	Tomato 4 Kgs, Serving Spoon
Ramesh Raithatha	Beans 1 ½ kgs
Arjun Muddaiah	Sugar 2 Kg
Ashwin V	04 persons Tent
Chandrakala BV	Tea Filter (New cloth or filter) & Knife 1
Sandeep Gowda	Cashew 500 gms, Almond 100gms, Dry Grapes 200gms
Naveen Gowda	Salt 500Gms & Crystal salt 500Gms
HEMANTH K	Big Serving spoon
Priyank Goel	Good Life Milk 4 Ltrs.
Pragati Agrawal	Cucumber 4nos.
Sowmya s n	Coriander leaves, Curry leaves each 1 bunch, Green Chili 400 Gms., Lemon 12 Nos, Ginger 300 gms
Anvesh Reddy	Tea Powder 500gms., Coffee Powder 100 Gms
Rekha G	Potato Chips 1 Kg & Khara Bhundi 500 Gms ( MTR or Mayas)
Girish NL	Mung Dal 1 Kg
Prabhakar Gowda	Onion 5 Kg, Carrot – 4 Kg,
Rathna V	Green Peas 01 Kg
Skanda	Sun flower Oil 1 Ltrs
Sunil Kumar OG	04 persons Tent
Suresh	Bread, Jam/ Tomato sauce

I called Suresh to get reconfirmation about the trek. It never happened to me such a big list in any of the trek. Reached the pickup point Shanthala Silk well ahead of the defined time. After some time one by one joined with us. The mini bus was ready to take us, team size was 26 members. Left the Majestic around 11 pm. There are many known trek friends and few are new, the journey was gone smooth.

27.06.2015

When I opened the eyes we were already in Kodagu district. The hills were decorated by clouds, everywhere water is overwhelming all the way, and entire atmosphere is filled with peak monsoon. The base point of Nalakhand palace reached around 7.30 am. I have to appreciate the Suresh skills about organizing the event; he already booked a small home at starting point of trek. He called the Thammayya to arrange a Jeep to carry our grocery items. You may imagine the volume of the items considering a big team size 26 members.

Soon we finished our morning itinerary near the stream. Few of us headed by walk towards Thammayya house which is around 4 km away from the palace. The tar road will run through you beautiful valley with many coffee estates. On the way we came across many small falls which were on glory.

We reached the base camp home around 9 am. The small old house of Thammayya is very perfect peace place. This is the last home on the way to Tadiandamol. If anyone seriously planning to day-out with family-kids, pakka place.

This is the first trek where I did not take even Biscuits with me. Stomach was hungry and wanted to have something. Trek friends shared light snacks so I could able to manage till the breakfast.

The cooking team was excellent. The team is headed by great guys Vivek Bhat and Prabhakar, and supporting the entire team. If I am not mention few of them name then it is injustice. The supportive team members were Sunilkumar, Anvesh, Madan, Pragathi, Rekha, Naveen, Chandrakala, Ashwin and entire team. They are very well professionals and planned the entire menu. Filled our stomach with spontaneous Awalakki and coffee.

Everyone is ready to venture the Tadiandamol, the highest peak around Kodagu. We took the group pic and headed towards the summit.

The climate was perfect and rain was pouring with intervals. Initial trail get through the normal ascend with view of beautiful valley. Crossing small waterfalls we reached to grass land.

You can find a big rock where we have to keep towards right. The mist was on high, could not see beyond 10 meters. The summit becomes more and more ascend from this point. We have taken multiple breaks for photographs.

After a steep ascend we enter into dense jungle. The leaches were on their job, many of us had sweet bite of them. Reached the Tadiandamol peak around 12.30 Noon. Huge mist missed to witness the beauty of the valley. We enjoyed the moments by the rain, mist and wind. Spent couple of minutes on the peak. Now the time to move back.

The descend part was much not difficult; taking multiple breaks reached the big rock. Photography took more time with each one of the group. Adieu to the Tadiandamol valley headed towards Thammayya home for night camp.

Reached the home by 3 pm, now we had enough of time. The hot water was ready for bath. Took the bath and got refreshed. Soon the great team served hot tea and coffee followed by Sandwich. Few of us engaged the playing cards; few of chitchat with their experience; few of indulge preparation of dinner. The entire atmosphere was looking like a wedding ceremony. Each one of us were enjoyed the moment.

I and Shanthi Prasad had a small walk around the valley. We met one more team who were trekked with different trail. Heard their adventurous encounters with unlimited leach bites. The Thammayya home is well structured to enjoy the valley with family. We have decided to re-visit this place with beloved one (family).

The dinner was ready with payasam. The great guys were very perfect to all dishes. Salute their effort and interest to serve all of us a spontaneous food. Due to place constrain we have to adjust very compact. The team was not in mood to spend any more time for any cultural activity. The rain was pouring heavily; we missed the fire camp.

28.06.2015

The morning was always early for me in any trek; got 4.30 am and finished morning itinerary. One by one everyone got ready. Morning again tea-coffee with biscuits and bread. Soon the team prepared the Uppittu & Kesari Baat. Finished our breakfast and had a photography session around the home. The home is situated in such a beautiful place. Beside to home there are two streams. Took enough of photographs with group. Now the time to head towards the palace where our vehicle was waiting.

Enjoying the valley soon we all reached to Nalakhand palace. The caretaker of palace briefed about the place and its history. Very soon finished the palace visit and next destination is Cheluvara Falls.

The Cheluvara falls is around 15km away from this place. You have to take deviation near Cheyyandane village. I am well versed this place, last year I had been this place with family. The Cheluvara falls on it peak flow, could not venture inside the water. Spent couple of minutes watching glorious times of falls headed towards Bengaluru.

The time was passing very fast, our initial plan was to visit Cheluvara Falls and Mandalapatti. Due to time constrain decided to skip the Mandalpatti. The time was 12 Noon and no one interested to visit any other place. Finished our lunch after near Virajpete at road side dhaba.

The return journey was busy with watching the movie. Soon we hit to Mysuru city, as usual the Mysuru – Bengaluru worst traffic. We had no option to tolerate the journey, reached Bengaluru majestic by 9.45 pm. One by one said good bye to meet next trek. Over all it was wonderful wedding ceremony / NCC Camp for me. I was missing my DSLR on this trek.

Thanks to:

Entire team was very co-operative and enjoyed each moment

The cooking team who were excellent and served delicious food entire trek

Suresh & Shanthi to making me to join this trek

Bangalore Ascenders for organizing a wonderful Monsoon Trek

Pic Cur: Sunil Kumar