Experiencing Konkankada - Harishchandragad 1800ft rappeling

15^th March 2014 - Harishchandragad-Konkan Kada Rappeling 1800ft.

Indeed I am experiencing a feeling of deep satisfaction that one gets on living her own dream…the dream of rappelling down Konkan Kada some day... the highest rappelling track of Maharashtra (1800ft). 

In childhood I had been to Harishchandragad once for trekking. I had heard a lot about konkankada, its massive depth, its hugeness & had heard a famous tale of how one trekker had jumped to death by falling in love with this nature’s wonder. I badly wanted to see it that time but missed the opportunity as the weather had suddenly turned all foggy with very poor visibility. It stayed in my heart like an unfulfilled wish.

I was continuously on a look out for the rappelling event to happen at Konkankada & I got the opportunity through Adventure-aim. The event was planned on 15^th March 2014.

I packed my backpack on 14^th March 14 with the plan of going from Pune to Karjat by train where the other members of the team were assembling. I met Deepak our trek leader and other team who was equally excited for this experience. Train arrived and we mounted the train to kasara. I got introduced to few other team mates who were travelling from CST. As I had very much expected, I was the only lady among 17 other Men. 

We reached Kasara at 1.15am. We climbed the jeeps to go to Paachni village at the foothills of Harishchandragad. I was allotted the pillion seat as a part of chivalry. On the way at about 2am we stopped on Mumbai Nasik highway near a toll post for tea. I was damn hungry as had just hogged some stupid sandwich in Local train. I had few glucose biscuits with 2 cups of tea & we proceeded to Paachni. We reached Paachni at 5am, waited for some time to just settle down and started our climb after 15 min. It was a steep climb at some places else it was pretty pleasant, unlike other 4 routes of Harishchandragad. Now we all had started mixing with each other. So far we were walking in the light of torches as it was still dark. We reached a top at the break of first light and now we were able to see each others’ faces properly.We started our trek towards Konkan Kada at about 8am. En-route had tasty Poha for breakfast. Cool breeze, lush green surrounding, our walking route through a forest, chirping of birds, golden sunlight and serenity was making it a perfect day for the forthcoming experience. 

And here it was…. A beast … a wonder of nature… a marvel… such a lofty structure…uff!  I was completely spellbound looking at this dreaded beauty. A deep moon shaped rock cut which one cannot see by peeping down standing on its rim. One has to totally surrender himself, lie flat with face down to look down the top. I also got to see tremendous surface folds of Mother earth which are named as Sahyadri ranges spread till horizon. I suddenly felt a gush of emotions for my Sahyadri my love .. its massive ranges.. its solid rock structure.. the cuts.. the curves.. valleys & peaks. Everything attracts me so much. It just mesmerizes me like it does to any other sahyadri trekker. It is so reliable for trekkers due to the type of rock it is formed of and it lets them climb up n down its structures like a mother happily lets her child play on & off her own body. Someday I would like to draw an imaginary human figure of ‘Sahyadri’ stout persona with long black beard, well built body with broad chest, bulky biceps and heart shaped calves, well cut face with sharp nose and powerful glittering eyes sealed with a mysterious yet pleasant smile on face.  

So here I was, lying down on my tummy watching n absorbing the beauty of Konkan Kada. We clicked lots of snaps but its hugeness is beyond capturing on any canvas.

One by one we all got ready wearing our harnesses, mittens, safety headgear & courage up our sleeves.  I was on 4^th Number and was waiting for my turn. And here it was…I got ready with necessary ropes and carabiners and slowly came on the ridge to start my rappel. That was the time I felt proud of myself for making it possible to come and participate in spite of so many adversities, for maintaining the fitness level even after two kids & maddening routine. I thanked all those things and all those people who have made my life beautiful. I am a strong believer of YOLO theory which says You Only Live Ones (YOLO). So if it was a time for me to call it life, I was ready to face my death with all the lovely memories in my heart.

But I was sure I got lot many years to live coz I crossed this first patch very successfully. Till first few feet, I could rappel and soon I had an overhang where I had to leave my legs off the rock and hang on the rope while keeping descending continued. The mittens would get so hot due to friction with rope that I would feel as if my palms would burn. I could not see down as I did not want to feel de motivated by learning the depth of the phase. But I slowed down in between and kept watching the huge rock of konkan kada on my left. It was as if calling me spreading its huge arms. I could see that phase of the cliff which only Eagles can probably see. I slid down further and reached the base of first phase.

Now next was the biggest patch ever. The lead rope was tied up to pulley coz a person would take anything from 10 min to 15 min to rappel down this stage. We heard Ashok Vada sliding down the initial one yelling loudly "Darr ke aage jeet hai’. We all started laughing n said "Magar darr to aage hai..aaja tu bhi gang main shamil ho ja". As I started rappelling down, I found the feeding rope to be very tight. So I told the assistant to ask the below standing one on walkie talkie to loosen the belay rope a bit. Now I started rappelling down but the feeding rope was damn tight, mainly coz it was very long thus very heavy to pull and feed the carabiner. Half way down I noticed that the feeding rope hanging sideways and was sliding upward as I was descending downward. And these men standing below had tied the safety gears and harnesses of the already descended participants to this rope so as to send it to those standing on top. Moreover that rope had twisted with my belay rope below me. I then stopped and held the carabiner and the belay rope with one hand, bent down and unwound the twist. Then it became a bit lose. When I tried to see where I have reached, I could not see anyone but just the rope going down. I went down patiently. I was panting and was thirsty. At one point I actually found some toe space and leaned on the rock in front to rest for few seconds.
I drank good amount of water and halted for some time after reaching the base of 800ft. 

Now was last rappel of 300 ft. others had already gone down and Prashant was about to go. I was yet to gain my relaxation of arm muscles but the assistant asked me if I want to go as prashant still wanted some more time. So I thought let me go and complete it once for all. I went ahead and rappelled this last phase immediately. It was a good phase with quite a smooth rock surface at the end. And finally I had completed the rappelling of 1800ft. 

I had enjoyed every bit of it and probably I would have loved to go for another 1800 ft again. It was a dream come true… because I had measured my endurance, my fitness, my courage, my adventure bone & I was happy that it was the same at the age of 39 as it would be at 20… even after bearing two kids. I had competed with myself & I had succeeded.

Craziest experience - I left home at 7.30pm, arrived on Pimpri railway station and while taking the ticket I remembered that I was actually supposed to go to Kalyan and not Karjat. Oh God! I It was a big blunder that I had done. The train to Kasara was at 12.10 am from Kalyan and my local to lonavala was at 8.30pm which would reach lonavala at 9.30pm. How the hell were I going to reach Kalyan in available time. I was numb and shocked. I thought of all the consequences like what if I cancel the event, what if I don’t reach on time, what if I go back home and each of the options told me that you can not go back. I spoke to Deepak our team leader and he gave me few ideas to try n get out of the problem which had 50:50 success rate. Finally I decide to go ahead and check my luck. I boarded the local train and reached Lonavala. It was pretty late and the bogie was totally empty. But I did not have a single feeling of insecurity. 

On reaching lonavala I hurried to outside station and then understood that I had no other option than taking up a private taxy. The cab guy charged me 2200/- after negotiation but I just wanted to go there badly. So I told him to drive any which ways but help me reach Kalyan by 11.30pm. He drove the cab with the speed of 120 km/hr and we were there on given time. It all had worked.