TREK TO ETTHINABUJA-OMBATTU GUDDA-GUNDYA

This is one of the ultimate treks that I have in my account. Amazing & Unforgettable.

I would like to thank the trekkers who conquered this and keeping this one of the Mysterious route in Western Ghats.

MISSION:
Our plan was to conquer Etthina Buja, from their quest towards Ombattu Gudda & conclude trek at Addahole Bridge near Gundya check post.

ATTRACTIONS IN VICINITY:

ETTHINA BUJA means Shoulder of an OX. This hill is shaped similar to back of an OX. This comes under Charmadi Ghats’s section and is nearby to Mudigere.

OMBATTU GUDDA means NINE Humped Hill. The peak is 971m above sea level & one of least explored which connect Charmadi range with Shiradi range.

KABBINALE RESERVE FOREST is named after river Kabbinale. The forest is extremely virgin & dense and hosts to a range of wildlife.

The surrounding areas around these areas have innumerable unexplored small & large peaks waving their hands to humans to explore the nature.

TREK DATE:

7^th Jan 2012 to 8^th Jan 2012. But after getting lost in the Jungle our plan got extended to 9^th Jan 2012.

TREK LENGTH:

2+ km to Etthina Buja from Byrapura Temple;

12+ km from Etthina Buja to Ombattu Gudda;

18+ km from Ombattu Gudda to Addahole Bridge. Total stretch of around 32+kms.

ROUTE:

Bangalore >>> Hassan >>>Mudigere >>>Byrapura >>>Etthina Buja >>>Ombattu Gudda >>>Addahole >>>Gundya Check Post >>>Dharmasthala >>>Bangalore.

THE TEAM:

Our team of fantastic 5 who were involved in this amazing trek is;

 Naveen, Shiva, Vishwa, Viju & Sandeep (me).

PLANNING:

Ombattu Gudda was in our plan from a long time. We planned to do this trek on Christmas but got postponed to 7^th Jan 2012. Hence tickets were booked for 6^th Jan sleeper bus from Sugama Tourist for an overnight journey to Mudigere.

PREPARATION:

Food items like Chapathis, Avalakki, 2 types of Curry,Good Life Milk, Popcorn, Tomato Soup, Bread & Jam, Plum cake & cup cakes with plenty of Perk Chocolates were purchased.

5 members military tent got arranged. Medicine kit, Kerosene & Match Box for litting up fire, 2 small machetes, crackers & 5 torches were packed in the backpack.  Vishwa had GPS & Compass in his mobile. We took GPS co-ordinates of EB (12°58'49"N   75°33'56"E), OG (12°56'21"N 75°35'5"E) & Gundya Check Post (12°49'40"N 75°34'16"E) & downloaded Maps & Blogs for reference.

JOURNEY:

Trekking bags were packed a day before. After exhausting Friday’s work, we took our baggage and started to catch the 10.30 bus to Mudigere. Vishwa was the first to board the bus at Vijaynagar and rest of us boarded the bus at Jalahalli Cross. We informed the bus conductor to wake us near Mudigere and we slept nicely. Around 4.30am the conductor of the bus woke us in Mudigere. We got down there and there was a coffee shop which was open at that time. We had coffee & purchased water over there. Another team was also there for the same trekking intention. We took Auto for hire till Byrapura Temple which was around 45 minutes of journey from Mudigere. 

Trek to ETTHINA BUJA (EB): We were around 6.30 am at Byrapura temple. There was a tap which was running with water. We finished all our daily morning activities, got freshened up. We took some snaps and before starting the trek we prayed to GOD for safer and happier trek & started our trek at 7.00am towards destination EB. There was a path which was heading towards EB and we followed the path with fellow trekkers whom we met in Mudigere (10 of them from General Motors). After 15 min. of walk there was an intersection. One was heading right and the other one straight towards Khoday’s estate. We took right direction and continued our trek. The trek was for about an hour and we reached near Peak. The peak exactly looks like back & hump on the Ox. We were the first to climb the peak. At top of the peak there was a Karnataka Flag. The landscape from the peak looked awesome. Towards left we saw Byrapura temple and towards right thick lush green jungle where our next destination was lying. From EB Peak consider SNB Temple as reference towards left hand. Exactly 90 degrees towards right lies Ombattu Gudda.  We took snaps on the peak, got down from peak and had our morning breakfast i.e., chapattis with curry.

ETTHINA BUJA (EB) TO OMBATTU GUDDA (OG):

We headed towards our next destination OG. We ventured into bamboo forest which was thick and impenetrable. We made our way in the forest until the canopy got opened up. We found a trail and followed it. After an hour walk when we checked with compass & GPS we headed in the wrong route. Later the maps & blogs downloaded came to our help.

We followed the trail in reverse direction which led to a Jeep track which was heading towards OG and luckily we found some men who were cutting trees, we asked them for direction and they informed us the way towards OG. We also came to know that there was a fest in Byrapura Temple the next day. We further followed the track for about an hour and we crossed a small stream. The sun was burning and we got exhausted quickly. The time was 1.30 pm; we took a long break for Lunch & to avoid the midday Sun.   We had chapatti & Avalakki and slept for about half an hour. We started again at 2.30pm. Water bottle got filled up with stream water and preceded towards OG.  This was a long walk of about 3hrs on the Jeep track and final we saw a way showing towards OG. We followed that path and finally we saw the glimpse of Ombattu Gudda.

By viewing itself we knew why it is called OG. The Nine humps were clearly visible. It almost took half an hour took reach the Ninth and biggest peak of OG for day’s halt. View of OG was awesome. Tent was put-up as we had just half an hour of day light. On the way itself we collected dry tree barks for camp fire. Camp fire was lit up. As our trek was planned very near to full moon day, the night view was breath taking. We cooked Avalakki Bath, Popcorn & Tomato soup & had our Dinner.  We planned our next day’s trek and spent time till 11.00pm and went for a good night sleep.

Morning we woke up around 6.30am to view the sun rise. We boiled the milk and had it with bread slices as Breakfast.  We folded our tent and packed our baggage’s and started our trek towards Gundya.

OG TO GUNDYA:

It is one of the difficult paths I have undergone. We took a new path form here. From OG’s biggest peak we took right instead of left path as in attached map.

The Fellow trekkers (GM) backed away from here and they went back to the Jeep track.

We got down the peak and ventured into jungle valley and after crossing the jungle valley we came to open grassland & top of the other hill range. After few minutes of trek we saw a small stream. We went to check the stream. Luckily it was flowing. We filled our water bottels & took some rest. We walked about an hour & half and we were very close to Kabbinale forest. 

During this trail we saw plenty of Elephant dung. Here we took a break & had Plum & Cupcakes. We took rest for half an hour and continued our trail in the forest. Here the forest was thick & impenetrable. We took machetes & started cutting the plants to make the way.We did this for an hour up till we reached a dry stream. From Here we followed the stream. This led the way to adjoining bigger stream. Further follow of stream led us to a river. From here we hit a trail path. We followed this trail until we have to cross at one point. We crossed the river and followed the trail path for about half an hour. Again we had a 2 crossing point of river. We took some rest and started quickly as the clock was ticking 5.00pm.

We started to walk fast as the daylight was less and we had an imaginary idea that this trail is still for about an hour and half. After 2 km walk in the trail we hit a JUNCTION TRAILS, one heading straight & other towards right. We took the straight path and headed in the WRONG way until we were at crossing point of river. We started worrying as I informed others that we are heading in wrong direction, as I have studied in one of the blogs that we need to cross 2 rivers & if u get the 3^rd one that means it is the wrong way. But others did not agree. So we followed the trail & crossed another stream & walked till 7.00pm.  Luckily our trek was near to the full moon day. So we had moon light. We called of the trek for the day and collected fire woods for whole night & started fire.

We put the tent and had avalakki. We knew that this forest is with animals. So we planned to keep checking the fire every 2 hours once.We put fire in 3 spots around the tent as equilateral triangle. At night we heard sound like something was walking, but it was the sound of shedding of leaves from the trees. At around 2am we were clearly able to hear the sound of the heavy vehicles and were relaxed hat we are near to the road. Morning around 6am we woke up, packed tent and other items and started heading back towards the Junction from where we took the wrong path. We crossed the river & we got fresh up & started trail till the JUNCTION and took the other way. Here we saw plenty of fresh Elephant dung. Within 20minutes of walk we were able to see a house, which means we were next to civilization. 

Near the house 4 to 5 ladies were sitting & they were steering at us. Further 10minutes of walk we were near NH48 Addahole Bridge. Adjacent to this bridge there was a small hotel. We had Breakfast (20 plates of food…hehehe). We Concluded the Trek here & did phone calls to Home, Colleagues & friends that we are safe & completed trek successfully. From Here we cached Bus & headed to Dharmastala for Sri Manjunatha swami darshana.

FACTS:

The forests in and around these hills is extremely dense and virgin and host to a wide range of wild life like Leopards, Sloth Bears, Elephants, Barking Deer’s and even Tigers . Trekker’s gets lost in this jungle is pretty common & some had lost their lives too in this wilderness. This route is least explored & there is no exact trek path & details about this route is not available even in Survey of India Maps. Hence taking a Guide along is advised as getting lost is very easy. Please note that this route is only for Professional experienced trekkers.

TIPS FOR TREKKERS:

Please carry Minimum 2 to 3 liters of water as the water availability in the whole trek is very minimal.

Carry Machete for making the path & Crackers to ward off animals.

Carry Turmeric powder, Tobacco, Salt, Dettol any of these as this trek is infested with Leeches.

If the trek is from OG to Addahole Bridge, Gundya please note that 2 rivers have to be crossed. The flow of the river will be on same direction. Further in trail there is a junction. Here take right trail.If another river crossing ahead means the path took is wrong. The river will be flowing in opposite direction. Go back to 2^nd river crossing & take the other route in the Junction.

PERMISSIONS:

It is advised to seek permission from Forest Department as Kabbinale comes under Reserve Forest.
Inform your Family and Friends about trek and if possible collect the local guy’s contact number just in case of emergency.

It is also advised to take a Guide along. Contact Gopu Gokhale (Home 08251-269426) (Mobile- 9483211246) for Guide & trek arrangements. 

Hope I will catch you soon with my next blog.

…………………..Adios.