CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: 206/207, Shilpin Center, G.D. Ambekar Marg, Dadar(E), Mumbai - 400 031. Tel. 24150211 / 24150221. Registered Under: Bombay Public Trust Act. F/1361 (Bom.) dt. 1966-03-31 & Societies Registration Act. Bom. 11/1966 GBBSD Dt. 1966-01-21

Wednesday Walk-in: 1930 onwards at Café Colony, Hindu Colony, East End of Tilak Bridge, Dadar (E).

CIRCULAR NO: 6/ 2019 Event Schedule DATE: 31 October 2019

Dear Members,

We had a mixed two months of monsoon, with the rains favouring us most of the times but then prolonging to

cause some trouble in the later half.

We went on three one day and two really good stay hikes (Harishchandra and Dhodap) in the last 2 months.

Please find short reports by the respective Leaders of all treks below:

Mrugagad (Parag Lagu): A team of 5 participants left for Mrugagad on a rainy Sunday morning. Mrugagad is

situated in the Tiger Valley, on the way to the Bhushi Dam in the Lonavla-Khandala region. Mrugagad is a small

fort, and it takes around one hour to see it. Umbarkhind and Waghdari can be seen from the top. After a drive to

the mountains in a really cloudy weather, and a good breakfast at the Beliv, the team started the climb to the top.

The walk was through lush green forest, but the rock was slippery due to rain. The path follows along the valley

between the fort and third Mountain and then over a rock patch to the top. After a quick lunch at the top, the

team decended to beliv.

Please find a detailed report by Niyomi Shah HERE!

Kavnai (Sayalee Athavale): The trek started from Kavnai, the base village situated at Igatpuri in Nashik. 8

people participated in the trek. Starting around 9.30 am, it took the team 30 minutes to reach plateau. A little

steep climb took us to rock cut steps and ladder which is connected to the entrance of the fort. From here, it takes

another 60 minutes to reach the top. The fort has a beautiful lake with a temple at its backdrop. It was picture

perfect with the Sahyadri wildflowers in full bloom all over the fort!!

Thanale Caves (Mandar Marathe): What was imagined as a quick and enjoyable monsoon trek to Thanale

Caves turned out into a rainless but at the same time a fun trek. And all the credit goes to the team. This trek was

planned instead of the Dhak Bahiri trek, which had to be cancelled due to the extended rains. A team of 11,

reached the base Thanale village after a long drive from Mumbai and stayed on the porch of a house. They started

climbing in the morning. The walk is a gradual climb and mostly a traverse through dense forest, waterfalls and

mountain scenery, until the caves suddenly appear in front of you like some movie! The Thanale caves are a

group of 23 caves from the 1st century B. C.

Dhodap (Aditya Athavale): The long drive to Hattigaon, the base village of the mighty fort of Dhodap, was the

ONLY boring part of this trek. The team comprising 13 participants, reached Hattigaon at 4 AM and slept in the

local temple veranda. In the morning we parked our cars in a gated complex, developed by the district forest

department and managed by the locals, which runs an adventure park there. This adventure zone is fully

equipped with obstacle & high rope courses, a Burma bridge & Zip-line setup, and artificial walls for climbing &

rappelling. The team reached the caves on Dhodap after a strenuous 4-hour trek, made pleasant by intermittent

showers. The fort was shrouded in mist & clouds the whole time, so there was little visible to be explored.

Definitely have to return soon!!

Please find a detailed report by Hitesh Murkute HERE!!

Mountaineering News/ Updates/ Tips: Project Possible 14/7: On October 29th, Nirmal Purja etched his name in mountaineering history by

becoming the fastest person to conquer every mountain on Earth over 8000 metres. Nirmal climbed all

fourteen “8000ers in just 189 days. The previous record for speed was held by South Korean Kim Chang-

ho, taking 7 years, 10 months and 6 days.

Read the complete article here.

Pack your sacks right: as the monsoons retreat, its time for more and more stay hikes. Hikes that test

your endurance, most importantly with heavy rucksacks on your back. Your rucksack is one of your most

important trekking gears. Packed efficiently, a rucksack can swallow an amazing array of gear. But what

goes where? There’s no one right way to pack. Or is there?

Here are a few packing tips to explore this, usually overlooked, aspect of mountaineering.

Rock Climbing News/ Updates/ Tips: Hoping that the monsoons will conclude soon, the next season for which every climber is waiting for will

be upon us, the Bouldering Season.

Here are a few mistakes every climber, beginner or expert, needs to avoid while bouldering.

Club/ Members Updates: RC and Adventure Camp 2019: As you all know we are reviving the Rock Climbing Camp for which GV

was known for many a decade. Also this year we would be organizing the 29th Adventure Camp for

Children. We request all the members to come forward and promote these two events to the fullest and

offer any help possible no matter how miniscule it may seem. You, our members are the pillars on which

we dare to organize such activities.6153 mts

Download the form and the brochure HERE!!

Vijay Beladkar (Sotya): Shyam Gopan, a freelance journalist and a member of Girivihar has written an

article about Sotya’s Solo Cycling Expedition to Spiti, Shyam draws a perfect sketch of Sotya right from

him starting years with Girivihar.

Read the article HERE!!

Bharat Vakharia: A life member of Girivihar, sumitted Stok Kangri (6153 mts) in Augist 2019. We

congratulate Bharat Bhai for this feat and wish him all the best for all his adventures in the future.

Notes:

1. We request members to come forward, become leaders for treks you would like to visit.

2. As you all know Girivihar now has 500+ members and we take pride in every member’s activities and

achievements. In regards to this, we request you to share your achievements and activities so that they

can be mentioned in the following circulars.

Hike Itinerary! The trek schedule for the months of November and December is as follows:

Event Dighe Climbing Session

Date Sunday, 10 November 2019

Leader Vinita Chhatwani (+91 98203 25647)

Grade Easy

Assembly Airoli Railway Station - 6.30 AM

Information

This climbing session is for everyone who wants to get introduced to the sport of climbing. From beginners to anyone who has already had a taste of climbing, everyone is welcome. The session will be conducted by experts who have been in the climbing circuit for decades and are expert guides.

Event CBD Belapur Climbing Session

Date Sunday, 17 November 2019

Leader Saurabh Oka (+91 99202 02170)

Grade Easy

Assembly St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Plot No. 28, Sector 8, CBD Belapur.

Information

This climbing session is for everyone who wants to get introduced to the sport of climbing. From beginners to anyone who has already had a taste of climbing, everyone is welcome. The session will be conducted by experts who have been in the climbing circuit for decades and are expert guides.

Event Basic Rope Knots Session - CBD Belapur, Parsik Hills.

Date Sunday, 24 November 2019

Leader Sharvi Oka ( +91 9920202656)

Grade Easy

Assembly St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Plot No. 28, Sector 8, CBD Belapur.

Information

This knots session is for everyone who wants to be well versed in the art of tying the correct knots at the correct situations. All the basic knots required in sports of climbing and mountaineering will be taught. No prior knowledge of knots is required to attend this session.

Event Surgad Stay Hike

Date Saturday, 30 November and Sunday, 1 December 2019

Leader Vinita Chhatwani (+91 9820325647)

Grade Easy

Cost Rs 1000 (Contributory Approx Cost)

Assembly Leader will convey the assembly point.

Event CBD Belapur Climbing Session

Date Sunday, 8 December 2019

Leader Saurabh Oka (+91 99202 02170)

Grade Easy

Assembly St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Plot No. 28, Sector 8, CBD Belapur.

Information

This climbing session is for everyone who wants to get introduced to the sport of climbing. From beginners to anyone who has already had a taste of climbing, everyone is welcome. The session will be conducted by experts who have been in the climbing circuit for decades and are expert guides.

Event 44th Rock Climbing Camp

Date Thursday, 12 December 2019 to Sunday, 15 December 2019

Leader Saurabh Oka (+91 99202 02170)

Cost Rs 2750

Age Group 14 years and above

Brochure and Form https://bit.ly/2BVkEuD

Event Parents Meeting - 29th Adventure Camp

Date Sunday, 15 December 2019

Leader Parag Lagu (+91 98330 97768)

Event 29th Adventure Camp

Date Wednesday, 25 Decemeber to Sunday, 29 December 2019

Leader Parag Lagu (+91 98330 97768)

Cost Rs 7000

Age Group 8 years to 13 years

Brochure and Form http://girivihar.org/adventure-camp/

For all outings a packed lunch, a set of clothing packed in plastic & water bottle are necessary. Please speak to the trek leader for registration, payment details and any other queries. We Girivihar members meet every Wednesday at 8.00pm at Café Colony Dadar. Please feel welcome to

attend these meetings and make yourself familiar with us. For stay hikes, prior registration is necessary. We may not entertain last minute requests. Also, please

attend the pre-hike meetings so that the leader is familiar with you and you can help with the food planning.

Circular is now available on the GIRIVIHAR’s website at www.girivihar.org and our Facebook page..

Happy Hiking! Happy Climbing

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Yours sincerely, Abhijeet Athavale (General Secretary) (8779489569)