The Thrill of Treks: A Trekker's Guide to Monsoon Treks by Rishi Gajra

Monsoon is for treks and treks give us the adrenaline we need. Everybody dreams of clinching the mountains and discovering the thrill of climbing a hill that is surrounded by lush greenery. But as said, beautiful things need attention which goes well with treks as they require a lot of vigilance and expertise. This is when an experienced person's views count. We have Rishi Gajra, a backpacker and trekker who has been trekking and organising treks for 5 years sharing his experience and tips as a backpacker.

A Beach Person turned Trekker

My trekking journey started due to peer pressure. I was always more of a beach person, but that particular monsoon, everyone was eager to head out for a trek. My first trek was to Vikatgadh in Neral. A majestic mountain connecting Neral with the Matheran ranges and a symbolic representation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I can still remember that the climb was very steep and I found a lot of monsoon crabs right in front of my face and that was a sight to never forget. The top of the peak gave me a very important life lesson, no matter how hard the journey is, the end is always worth it. And for this sole reason, I have been conquering peaks all my life.

I have been on treks across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka and used to go with different types of groups like mountaineers, garbage cleaners and organised groups. I tried to gain maximum knowledge and would always be a group leader as I like to seek new paths. This responsibility made me fall in love with mountains even deeper and slowly I started gaining knowledge about the same. As years passed, I learnt about the tricks and requirements of a trek and thought of sharing it with enthusiasts like me.

The Difficulty Level

Treks can be divided predominantly into 3 difficulty levels; Low, Moderate and High, based on the time taken to reach the summit as well as the altitude, endurance level of the person, availability of water and weather conditions. One should keep in mind all these factors before choosing any destination:

It is vital to pack your stuff based on these difficulty levels. While packing for the treks it is very important to carry a water bottle, a rope and some good food containing high levels of glucose such as protein bars, biscuits, dry fruits trail mix, etc. Make sure you strictly avoid oily food during these treks. Weather-friendly attire and a backup, good quality shoes with a good grip (I personally recommend Decathlon, pocket-friendly and up to the mark), a knife, first aid kit and a good durable bag to carry all of these.

If you are a first-time or an amateur trekker, I would recommend you to take along with you a person who is known to the conditions and the route. For these purposes, the base village people are the best ones to approach as they are acquainted with the conditions. If it is not possible, always carry a navigation tool and download an offline map of the whole area. Your safety is in your hands at all times and thus it is very important to act responsibly.

A Trekker's Real-Life Advice

As a leader, I regularly organise treks through my travel company, SS Travels and I feel that discipline is one of the most important virtues. If the leader advises you to do any particular thing or follow a particular route then you have to abide by that, no questions asked. It is also very important to choose your trekking group wisely. If you are going on a group trek, I always recommend going with the certified ones. The trek leaders should have basic first aid training and make sure that they are carrying it. 

I feel a group of more than 15 members is a big no for any trek. It becomes next to impossible for the trek leader to focus on you and give you one-to-one attention at times when required. Travel insurance is a good option to consider for being safe than sorry. 

How to Prepare for a Trek

Once you have chosen the trekking group or planned to go solo, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Preparations for the trek start the day before. Make sure you eat proper healthy stuff and avoid any oil or fatty content, one meal before the trek. It is almost a regular pattern amongst recreational trekkers that they will skip their meal in the morning, sleep late and then sip a chai or coffee and head for trekking. We get complaints from them about being nauseous, feeling dizzy and restless. All these are symptoms of hyperacidity and gastric issues developing.

If you land up in such a situation, eat a banana or any basic food item to nullify the effect of acids. Sit down and drink some water, sprinkle some on your face and move on once you feel stable. Aerated drinks and soft drinks are a strict no and should not be encouraged. A pack of Gatorade or Glucon-D will do the job for you. If you are trekking under the scorching sun, you might feel exhausted and dizzy. A small pinch of sugar will do wonders in such a situation if you do not have any energy drinks. I highly recommend you to carry some candies and sugar.

The Treks of Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a heaven for trekkers. The topography, the climate and the conditions are perfect for one-day or two-day treks. All the credit goes to our great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the roads to these mountains were paved extensively during the Maratha rule. If you are a newbie and want to experience a one-of-a-kind and fun yet safe trek, I would recommend you to trek the “Garbet Plateau trek or the Nigdi Chi Patti.” It can be covered in 5 hours, both ascending and descending and get ready to be amazed by the waterfalls these mountains have hidden in their laps.

Garudmachi waterfall trek nested in the Tamhini ghat near Mulshi is heaven for moderate-level trekkers. It has multiple ways to access so there will be less human traffic. Mulshi is an altogether different vibe during the monsoon. If you have a day to spare, you can continue to explore the Plus Valley in the same ghat region, a natural infinity pool overshadowing the mountain ranges is a sight to sore eyes.

Once you are thorough with the do’s and don’ts and the basics, you can now ascend the infamously famous Kalavantin Durg, regarded as the toughest fortress in India. With a 75-degree steep stairs climb, it can get difficult for people suffering from vertigo. I would also recommend ascending the AMK trek (Alang Madan Kulang) at least once in your lifetime. It is so astonishing to find water reservoirs and signs of habitat at those great heights, depicting the strength of the Maratha rule.

Whether you are taking a low-level or difficult-level trek, these are some of the most essential things you need to take care of while on a group trek or ascending individually:

• You know nothing about the mountains, always abide by the rules.
• Nature is greater than you, never challenge any aspects and respect them.
• Your trek leader is always right with routes, communicate with them if you have any doubts and do not start finding your own paths.
• Don’t let that perfect photo be your last. 
• Know your body well and be hydrated. 

Lastly, I would also like to throw some light on being socially and naturally responsible while being on a trek. Please take back what you bring with you on the trek. The mountains do not need to be decorated with plastic and the other wastes that we dump on the grounds. Always make sure to carry a disposable bag where you and your group can accumulate all your waste and take it back to the city. Nature is meant to filter the air we breathe in, it is not habitual to take in the smoke from your cigarettes, vapes and joints. Keep them limited to you and do not let nature suffer. You need not be intoxicated always to have fun. These are some of the utmost social responsibilities you should take on while being on a trek. 

As my article majorly focuses on the treks around Maharashtra and neighbouring states, Let me take this moment to draw some attention towards the life of the people living at the base villages. They are common farmers, making their livelihood by being dependent on nature, a small contribution from every one of us can help in giving them a better life. Contribute in whatever way you can, if you cannot devote yourself personally, get associated with the NGOs and similar organisations working towards their betterment. Every year, we carry on Mountain cleaning treks where we make sure we devote our time to nature which welcomes us with open hands every single time.

Till then, keep climbing!

PS: Safety is in your hands, Monsoon Treks Can Get A Bit Risky, so Please Take Precautions and Be Careful.