Double KP - A dream achieved!!!

Ever since I climbed KP the first time, It had always been a dream for me to climb the hill from one side, descend it from the other side, climb it up again from the other side and then come back down the original side. At the beginning of Feb, I thought that this was as good a time as any for me to attempt achieving my dream. The second weekend of Feb took me to KP with a friend, the third took me solo - I did this solo to see how much time I would take to comfortably complete the trek. This would give me a fair understanding of my fitness levels - whether I will have enough time to complete the Double attempt in one shot within the cut-off times - Yes!! there are cutoff times. I'll explain how soon enough.

Its important to note that challenges like these are trying - it is imperative to travel light and this includes even the number of people that are moving together - they should be a group of 2 or max. 3 - and all of them should be of a similar fitness level - this ensures that you keep moving at a speed conducive to all in the group. Solo is not recommended because if something were to happen to you, say - you slip off a cliff or get bit by a snake or take a wrong turn and get lost or have a fall or tear a ligament - there are a million things that can go wrong - In this case, you at least have someone around you for 1) Company, 2) to help or 3) to inform others waiting at home. The network is sporadic in these remote places and the phone is going to be pretty useless. Unless you are mentally very resilient, I would not recommend doing solo treks - it is a great journey to self-discovery - but it is easy - it makes you want to give up multiple times.

Coming back to this specific experience; it is imperative to start the climb from the Kukke side - this is because it is a lot harder, steeper & longer than the Somwarpet side. The Forest checkpoint from Kukke will not allow people onward post 11:30am - this is to ensure that everyone is back in a safe zone prior to sun-down. And it is a similar case on the other side. If you reach Somwarpet checkpoint post 12:30pm - they will very happily keep you there - also give you a bed to sleep because there is no way in hell they are allowing you back into the forest later in the day. Hence, there are clear time cut-offs if you want to make this journey happen. On my solo trek the previous week, I had spoken to the Forest Ranger In-charge - Punit - we had discussed my plan and he had casually said in passing that I would easily be able to complete the ambitious task at my pace - as long as I made sure I was doing it alone. He had planted the seed in my brain!

I had planned to do this challenge with another runner friend - who, as luck would have it, managed to tear his meniscus a week prior. Anjana had also mentioned she wanted to do the trek - so I put my plan on-hold for the first part of the week. Work got crazy for her, so our trip became a bit iffy - finally on Thursday, I decided I would go for my original double KP attempt irrespective - so, as usual, I booked my Bus ticket and started prepping myself mentally for this challenge. Later in the day Anjana confirmed that Deepak ( her husband) and her will be able to make it for the trek afterall. A part of me wondered if I should put my plan on hold - but as always, the glutton for punishment in me triumphed - I decided that I will attempt the double KP irrespective.

Anjana and Deepak drove to Kukke on Friday afternoon - I was going to join them but a last minute work commitment kept me in the ooru and I boarded the bus for Kukke late Friday night. This time, I had to take the earlier bus since it was imperative for me to start the trek on time - it indeed is of the highest essence. As luck would have it, approximately half the bus was full of trekkers - most were planning to spend the morning in the town, trek upto Giri Gadde in the second half and complete the rest of the trek on Sunday .

We were meant to reach Kukke by 5:30am, so I put an alarm for 5:00am - got up, and since I was in a sleeper, changed into my trail gear and got ready to head out the bus. Once we reached, I made my way to the temple toilets and hired one to freshen up, brush my teeth, wash my face, apply sunscreen etc. I then filled water in my camelback and packed my bag with food for the day - 4 Parathas, 7 boiled eggs, 4 oranges and 2, 5-stars. With that neatly tucked in, I left my bog back-pack at the temple luggage counter. Once done, I head to the local chai shop as I waited for Anjana and Deepak to come and join me.

Anjana had decided to hire a guide - he had an auto and they were making their way over in the auto. Meanwhile Chottu - the doggo from the last 2 weeks found me and said hello - we spent a few minutes together until he decided to bound off with his other doggo friends - it was clear he had no intention of joining me. Soon enough, the auto whizzed in front of me, Deepak jumped out, I got in and we 4 set off for the start of the trail. I had originally thought that we would walk to the trail from this point - it was 1.5odd Km away and perfect as a warm up. But Mohan ( the guide) had other plans. We head to the start point and parked the auto. There is a temple on the ground where the trail starts - it has some lights - we moved towards the lights to take a few clicks, all the time chattering away like the excited birds that we were. It was exactly 6:30am when we started moving into the trail, the sun had started rising and there was enough light around.

We all walked together for the first 500mtrs odd - chit chatting, warming up the muscles - once I felt my body was ready to pick up the pace - I said bye and moved forward. I had hoped I maybe able to catch them on my way back or if not, we would meet for dinner irrespective. I made my way up the steep root staircase and climb, jogged along the paths that were not too steep or rocky and made my way to Giri Gadde Checkpoint. There was no one else on the route just yet. I saw a few girls come close to the path near Bhattre Mane's - I suppose they had slept there overnight and couldn't be bothered to make their way to the toilets, so decided to use the wild outdoors for their morning business. Eitherway, I waved out to them ( they were not too pleased, may I add) and moved forward. It was 7:40ish and there was not a soul at the checkpoint. I called out and out popped one groggy face - it was Punit - he looked at me : " Full trek today? what time did you start?"

Me: Yes, I started at 6:30am.

Punit: Ok - Let me wake up - you get some rest.

I used this time to make a quick restroom stop, refilled the bladder and decided to settle down for breakfast - this was as good a time as any - I had 1 paratha and 2 eggs. Meanwhile, Punit came out with the register - this all seemed to moving in a slow, exaggerated motions - a part of me wanted to get agitated but another part of me argued - this is just how the ball rolls baby - you've got to roll with it. So might as well enjoy the rest. I also gleaned an important piece of information here. Ever the curious cat, I couldn't for the life of me understand why the FRO's insisted that we bring back all the egg shells in case of boiled eggs. It seems - the egg shells attract animals since it is food for them. They then start coming close to the trail. This is detrimental on two levels : 1) they become dependant on humans for food creating an imbalance in the natural order of things and 2) they start troubling the trekkers - so its just a bad equation for all parties concerned. Anyway, we finished the entry formalities and it was 8:15am by the time I got out of the checkpoint. Punit gave me his number in case I faced any issues. I asked him : is there Network?

Punit : No, drop me a message

Me: Will you get me a chopper?

Punit: No, when I get the message I will make my way towards where you are

Me: Will you carry me down if I am injured ?

Punit: No

Me: Ok, thank you for keeping perspective.

Punit: Come back here by 5pm.

Me: Ok, done - bye

And I continued on forward - there was no stopping. I knew exactly what I had gotten myself into and mentally I knew that time was of the essence. The faster I reach Shesh Parvata - the sooner I get out of the sun - which means a lot less fatigue. I kept moving - still no one on the entire trail - it was just the hill and me today . The sun had come up and it was directly in my line of sight making it very difficult for me to look far ahead - I had my sunglasses on and kept my vision to appx 20 mtrs ahead - if I were to lift my head any higher - the sun would blind me. The first sign of people came as I clambered along the side of the hill and came out near Shesha Parvat. There were 3 men there - 2 were lying on one of the rocks and a third was standing over them (possibly providing shade through his shadow). I waved out and continued on forward - I was looking forward to the shade of the forest. I moved on at a comfortable pace. It was approximately 10am when I reached the summit. I met a whole bunch of people there - it was a group of colleagues who had decided to do KP as a team building exercise - felt nice to see some people. They also told me that the three I had run into earlier were also part of the group. They had started from the Giri Gadde check point early in the morning. We spoke for a bit, I had an orange - and then moved on forward towards Somwarpet.

As I came down 500mtrs or so through the forest into a clearing I was in for a royal surprise - off course the sun was out and blazing - but more importantly there was this huge slab of rock - steep - apprx 75% gradient that I had to clamber down. Thankfully it was not smooth and had a lot of grooves which gave me some grip to make my way down - but this was precarious and unaccounted for. Too add to this was the fact that I couldn't clearly make out the where the trail was headed. As I was making my way down, I saw two dogs come out of the bushes - I figured that was the trail and started moving towards them. Luckily, not 5 minutes later, I saw another trekker slowly making his way from the other side of the rock - he guided me towards the right trail - we exchanged pleasantries - he told me the rest of his group was behind and then we both moved forward on our own paths. I continued moving down and came across another similar rock some way forward - but the size of this one was probably 1/3rd of the previous one so it was not really that much of an issue - the trail was also marked with a strip of red cloth so it was clear to identify - As I moved further, I reached the diversion point - and it made sense to me why people take the diversion to bypass this steep climb and head towards Giri Gadde on that route. I continued further - met Shyam (who I had been speaking to about this climb) and his group of trekkers - they were all in great spirits and truly did cheer me on.

After the steep downhill, this path was actually glorious, a total of 5kms from the summit, the last 4K was a breeze - it was a trail through the forest, covered in shade, with leaves lying on the trail, few roots strewn in but other than that it was smooth. I could hear the rush of water all around me- there was increased humidity yes - but I was far far away from the sun beating down on me. The gradient was not too much either - and so I picked up my pace. It was approximately 11am when I reached the bridge at the Somwarpet Checkpoint. I met the FRO, said hello and moved towards the stream for a bit of a rest. I refilled the bladder with fresh running water from the stream, relaxed here for a bit - had 2 oranges and then decided it was time to head back - I was doing well on time. It was 11:30am when I restarted my trek back. As I reached the diversion point, I saw some trekkers sitting there - conflicted if they should attempt the summit or take the diversion to Giri Gadde. I gave them a pep talk - told them they have come too close to give up and to join me as I move forward - this got their mojo flowing and they started climbing up with me too. I met Shyam and his group of trekkers apprx 500mtrs from the summit point. It was good to see them I had been wondering where they were.

By 2pm I was at the summit. I stopped in a small nook created by a shrub which had some shade too and had my lunch. I had 1.5 Parathas with 3 boiled eggs and one 5-star. By 2:15pm I was on the move again. Next stop - Giri Gadde Checkpoint. 3:20pm and I was creating ruckus at Giri Gadde. Punit peeped out of his room - "You're back already? I said 5pm."

Me: Yes, Back.

Punit: I am just starting lunch. You take rest - I will eat and we will wrap it up.

Me: Ok. I have 1.5 Parathas and 2 boiled eggs - my mum made them for me! you want?

Punit: Yes please.

I gave Punit the remainder of my food. He settled in for lunch and I made my way to refill bladder, use restroom, thrown the plastic and shells - general housekeeping work. Once he got done with lunch, we shared the remaining 5-Star as celebration for the success of my attempt. I got the refund of my deposit - we chit chatted for a bit - with him giving me an update on all that the different trekkers had been upto through the day - he promised me he will inform me when the trek reopens and then I moved forward on my merry way - the final descent - it was 4:00pm. By now, I was in a trance, moving forward rapidly - keeping an eye on where to put my foot next. As I moved down, I met a lot of trekkers - some of them called out my name too - seems that they had all heard about the crazy lady attempting Double KP. The cheers and calls really did pump up my morale. As I continued forward - I met some of the trekkers from the summit in the morning - they hooted and cheers and really made me feel so so good. I increased my pace - Soon enough, I saw the arch that marked the end of the trail - As I crossed it, I screamed out a loud "YESSSS".

Came back to the arch to click some pics. Got a ride back into town in the Bus with the trekkers I had completed with. I jumped off and went to the Dosa place, had a chai and masala dosa - just sat there for sometime and soaked in all my emotions. Post that, I went to the temple, grabbed my stuff and made my way back to the hotel to catch up with Anjana and Deepak. I reached there around 7pm, had a shower and we headed out to dinner catching up on our individual experiences with the hill, the memories we had made and the new resolutions we had setup for ourselves. Deepak and Anjana walked me to the bus station so I could hop on my bus back to get to the ooru just in time for the Brooks Store Launch.

Yes! I do get tired during these mammoth efforts - but I choose to keep myself moving and specifically keep myself a little uncomfortable because if I settle down at one place - moving becomes a huge issue - then I am like "yahin par ghar basaa leti hoo" types. Got through a phenomenal store launch, came back home - caught up with the family, had a brilliant breakfast - had a celebratory drink - yes! at 10am - and finally settled in for a good sleep. It had been quite an adventure. Can't wait for the next one.

For those of you wondering why the official trail says 38Km but my GPS shows 29.4K is because the official trail is one which meanders - making serpentine loops along the hill to make the gradient easier to climb - people like us have a tendency to make life a little bit harder and go with reduces the distance but increasing the gradient - if you want to make your life easier - go the meandering way always!!!