"Traversing through a Life Away From Life” ... The Raireshwar to Mandhardeo Peak Ridge Expedition - DAY 2

Next day 4th Feb morning, after visiting the temple from the inside, we proceeded towards Kenjalgad fort. This route was from the south-east side of the fort, locally called as Sundara or Shwandara. This route ends with rock steps ingeniously cut out of the mountain, camouflaging it, but sadly, now cemented modern day steps are layered over it.

These steps join the ridge which goes to the Kenjalgad fort. This 4.5 km ridge joins Kenjalgad at a height of 4273ft.After a brief session of rock climbing we reached the top of Kenjalgad from the northern side through rock cut steps. After spending some time on the fort top, we descended to a ridge connecting Kenjalgad from the south-east side.

 

 

Ascending and descending for around 2kms, over a lot of lonely hills and amazing landscape, we reached to a Pass on a col called Asre Khind. We were around 3000ft on this pass. We decided to camp here for the night Lot of villagers who came by were surprised to see us and even more surprised to hear our interest in traversing this mountain ridge. I think most of them thought we were crazy carrying 30kg of load on our backs.

 

 

 

 

We slept watching the stars, the bright moon and the steep hill ascent of around 1000ft which waited for us tomorrow.

Team members:
Prateek Deo, Glean Gonsalves.
Date: 3rd Feb to 6th Feb 2006
Total approximate distance of trekking: 45 kms
We crossed 2 passes, 7 hills and 2 forts.