Feb 20, 2007 03:26 PM
16338 Views
Its been just 24 hours since I got back from a trek upto the Bhimashanker temple.I had gone there for the Mahashivratri celebrations on the recommendation of a friend who has supposedly been there twice already.Even though I searched the web for information on the climb, I didnt think that there would be actual life and death situations where one small slip would mean certain death.
And when I say certain death, I mean CERTAIN DEATH!! I dont know about the person who wrote the main review, maybe he is a professional trekker or mountaineer, but average guys like you and me are not.I trusted my friend as he claimed to have done the trek 2 times already.I dont have anything against the temple or Bholenaath.All I want to say is that there are two definite occasions in the climb (1st after 2 hours and the next just before reaching the top)when a small mistake can send you plunging down into the valley.It is a sheer cliff.Dont be misled by images of ladies and girls frolicking up the slopes with gay abandon as most of them are locals from around karjat and other neighbouring villages.
They have lived here for all their lives.You and I have not.I did the climb in the dead of the night and didnt even realise what I had crossed in the darkness.But when I came back the same way in the morning, I was hit by the gravity of the situation.I was literally trapped on this slope which had nothing to hold on to and nothing to stop your fall.Trust me guys...Dont do it.I can understand devotion and faith and everything, but if you really must go, take lots of rope and safety harness.
You will thank me for it.I really dont know who has the guts to do this in the monsoons.Unless you dont really mind dying or you have a safety net ready.The climb for city dwellers will take anywhere from 5 to 6 hours depending on your physical condition.For long stretches it is like climbing up a staircase.Your legs better be ready for this.Take only what you need as the extra load will only tire you out quicker.
