Trek to Channagiri Hills

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity.

Trek to Channa giri – 22^nd Feb-2013

The next trek was always on the cards and was getting procrastinated due to various reasons. Finally we decided to scale one of the hillocks in the Nandi Range. We decided to trek Channa giri. Channa giri or Channarayana Giri is one of the 5 major hills in Nandi ranges. Like Skandagiri hills, Channagiri hills is also very steep. It is 4398 ft. (1340 meters) above sea level.

Punctuality has become the hallmark of this trekking group and as planned, we started our Journey from Hebbala @ 5:00 AM. We reached Sultanpet @ 6:00 and started our Trek at 6:15 AM. Channagiri is not well known for trekking and there are ample chances that you may be routed to Skandagiri hillock, another famous trekking spot which is abutting  the channgiri hills.

Sun Rise @ the footsteps of Channagiri - Mother Nature @ Her  Majestic best

Nature warmed us with her splendor and we were once again overawed by the majestic sun rise from the base of hills, as we prepared for our expedition. For all of us, this was the 1^st time, we were scaling channagiri hills .

Ant Hills - They greeted us on both sides of the tracks

On the way we were greeted by numerous ant hills which were on an average 4 feet high. After about 30 mins of Trek, we landed in a flat surface. As our adrenalin rush to scale the peak was high, we failed to see the challenge that was coming our way. Our adventure (or was it mis-adventure !!) was about to run into rough weather. We saw a pathway winding through dense bushes and shrubs which more looked like a cattle trail. We took that route and traversed our way through the dense bushes which had a thick vegetation and thorny shrubs.

Team coming out from bushes & thick vegetation

After about 30 mins of anxious twists and turns  the trail ended on a rock surface, wherein we were surrounded on 3 sides by hills and on the 4^th side a deep valley leading into numerous stone quarries. We should have been 1000 feet from the ground level.

So near and yet so Far !!- Team pondering on next action  :  

A view of Summit - We  landed on the wrong side !!

Definitely we were lost in the woods and in middle of nowhere. We quickly regrouped, assessed the situation and decided to turn back and return to the place where the pathway began amidst the dense shrubs. This adventure took us 1.30 mins in total and was a new experience for all of us. The thorns in the trail left us with scratches all over the body. We were ‘bruised but not beaten’

Mother Nature vandalized - Need versus Greed!!!

The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed." - Mahatma Gandhi 

We saw many stone quarry units, and it was very sad that beauty of the Nandi ranges was being vandalized for man’s greed. I was reminded of Mahthma Gandhi quote and heaved a sigh..

Team trekking through wild bushes and grass

We divided ourselves into teams and searched for tracks with arrow marks ( based on our previous trek experiences). This was no easy task as in all directions; the pathway was covered with dense bushes. In many places the trail was unclear and we had to navigate in teams to find the correct direction and proceed further. The assent was very steep and slippery.

Water Tank carved out of stone on the hill top

Lord Hanuman temple @ summit

Loord Shree Hanuman

A dilapidated old stone structure @ Summit

The last lap of 1000 feet or so was tiring and exhausting. The Sun was not kind to us any longer. The spirit was willing to conquer but not the flesh. We backed ourselves and kept motivating each other. Finally we reached the summit by 11:15 AM. On the top there are a Hanuman temple, A stone water tank and a dilapidated stone shelter structure. 

We Made it : Our TEAM @ Channagiri summit

Team work works - Injured team member being helped

The challenges did not end there. One of our team members was injured ( pulled up muscle strings in both the legs) and was finding it difficult to place the foot in the steep descent. We took turns and brought back the team member safely down at 1:45 PM.

This was the longest trek we have ever done at a stretch (7:30 mins). The adventures and challenges took this trek to a completely different level than the other treks which we have done in the past. “All is well that’s ends well” and we will remember the trek to Channagiri for many more years to come.

Some helpful tips for enthusiasts wanting to explore this place:

1)       Channa giri – 56 Kms from BLR. Take the route to Nandi hills and at the intersection turn right and proceed towards Sultanpet.

2)      Note: Many people will guide you towards Skandagiri ( which is in the opposite direction). The trek to Channagiri should start from Sultanpet

3)      Park you Cars/Bike near the open tracks at the base of the hills. It is safe to park your vehicles here.
4) Difficulty rating - Moderate to difficult

Mystery spots:

Mystery spot holes seen on the ground

We found these types of spots on the ground in numerous places. We assumed this may be small spot holes on the ground to collect water. Would be thankful for blog visitors to educate and enlighten us.

"Message from a Blog visitor"
Mystery spot holes seen on the ground"
They are sand tunnels created by Larvae of 'Ant Lions'(Distoleon tetragrammicus) an insect. The larvae lives inside this sand traps, which waits for the ants falling into the tunnels