Trek The Sahyadris With Maps And Photographs

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HARISH KAPADIA has been trekking and climbing in the Sahyadris for more than four decades. It was in the hills of the Sahyadris that he developed a passion for mountains and has always returned to this range. This popular guide book is based on his trek and notes and he has visited each of these places mentioned in the book, quite a few of them many times over.

After the initial training in the Sahyadris and in the Himalaya, he has trekked and climbed actively. In many cases, his exploratory trips opened new vistas for mountaineers. He has led six international expeditions and climbed high peaks. Still an active explorer, he visits the Sahyadris and the Himalaya regularly.

Almost for three decades, he has been editing the prestigious Himalayan Journal and The Himalayan Club Newsletter. He has published twelve books on his climbs and treks and some of them have run in to many editions.

He is Honorary Member of The Alpine Club, London, The American Alpine Club, USA, The Japanese Alpine Club, Tokyo and the Polish Mountaineering Association.

He was awarded Patron's Royal Medal of the Royal Geographical Society awarded by Her Majesty the Queen on 2nd June 2003. Tensing Norgay National Adventure Award, 2003, awarded by the President of India, for Lifetime Achievements. President's Gold Medal for mountaineering awarded by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, in 1993. King Albert I Gold Medal, Switzerland and In 2017 he was awarded Piolets D'or Asia 2017, UIAAA. This is considered to be the Oscar award of mountaineering.

A retired businessman by profession he devotes time to writing, trekking and lecturing to world audiences. He lives in Mumbai with wife Geeta and son Sonam and his wife Charu, who are enthusiastic about mountains.

We have been climbing on the faintly visible foot track for over two hours. It was drizzling. Beyond the foreground we could hardly see through the thick mist that enveloped us. The earth was soaked by rain. Tall Karvi plants had given way to lush green grass on the high slopes. Presently we stood on the flat top of the hill, still covered in clouds. As we dropped our rucksacks and sat down, a strong cool breeze refreshed us. Soon the clouds lifted long enough to open windows to the valleys below and views of the nearby hills. The valley dropped two thousand feet, in breaks of wooded terraces and rock walls, laced by waterfalls. In the distance we noticed the village where we had slept the previous night. We reclined on the rocky ground savouring the peaceful environment as fatigue disappeared with refreshing bites of snacks and freshly made lemon juice. We explored the summit plateau for a while, taking in the fleeting views as the clouds would permit while they rose up the rock walls of the mountain. Someone reminded us that it was time to descend. We raced down the path to the village. A tiresome flat walk brought us to the railway station to catch the evening train to Mumbai. Thus ended a weekend monsoon hike to the hills of the Sahyadri.

People living in Western Maharashtra are indeed blessed by their proximity to the Sahyadris. The main mountain range rises above the Konkan coastal strip. The higher peaks of the Sahyadris are spread over its shoulders, the highest being Kalsubai, 5400 feet, in the Bhandardara lake region near Igatpuri. The Sahyadris are easily accessible by rail or road and therefore within reach of an enthusiast who may wish to enjoy the grandeur of nature for a few hours before returning to the humdrum of city life. The Sahyadris are part of our heritage, which are cherished by the trekker and the nature lover. Numerous hill forts and temples add to their charm.

Harish Kapadia is specially qualified to write a guidebook on the Sahyadris. For over thirty-five years he has roamed the remote valleys and peaks of its ranges. There must be hardly a fortnight that Harish might have missed going in to the wilderness of the Sahyadris. The only long period he may not have visited Sahyadris would be, when for about two months he would be climbing in the Himalaya, often twice a year. Amongst his many interests mountains have the prime place. What is more is his recording the interesting places visited by him for the benefit of other enthusiasts who may be groping in the dark on where and how to go about enjoying the mountains, so close to us.

Many years ago I witnessed a unique phenomenon in the Sahyadri. Standing on the Konkan Kada of Harishchandra gad with my son Nawang, we saw our shadows falling on gathering monsoon clouds due to early morning trajectory of the rising sun behind'. As the clouds rushed up towards us one had a distinct feeling of shadow and reality merging- the 'Brocken Spectre' at its best. It was one of the many great moments that I shared with Nawang who accompanied me to hills from a young age. Being attracted to outdoors he soon joined the Indian army as a Gorkha officer. But during an operation, he laid down his life in service of the country in the highest traditions of the Indian Army - killed by a terrorist's bullet trying to save an injured comrade. I had hoped to trek and climb in many areas in the Sahyadri with him but his wish was to ride on clouds to heaven. Whenever I shall see a peak in the Sahyadri, Nawang will be remembered. This book is dedicated to him.

Revising a popular guidebook, such as this, is like rekindling an old love affair. You have the knowledge and the experience but are still unsure whether the excitement of the first time will ever be repeated. But this is all an excuse to fall in love again with the old memories, pictures, mountains and the Sahyadri.

Thrity Birdy helped the first edition, in 1977, started due to a suggestion by Dr. Rodhan Shroff, especially. The second edition was published in two years due to popular demand. Prof. R. G. Desai supported these first two editions with information and suggestions and allowed some of his work to be used. His article, 'Sahyadri Invites You' was printed in the first three editions.

All the information thus recorded was checked, areas revisited and new places included with almost a decade of trekking thereafter in the range. The result was the fully revised third edition in 1987 based on exhaustive notes of the trips. Dhiren Toolsidas helped with this edition and Jagdish Nanavati, who systematically introduced me to the pleasures of the hills, had contributed an article, 'The Art of Trekking' for the second and third editions.

**Contents and Sample Pages**