Thane - Karjat, Cycling+Trekking+Camping
Date : 02, 03, 04/01/2021
Starting Point : Nitin Company Signal, Thane.
Destination : Chochi, Karjat.
Camp Site : Chochi, Karjat.
Distance : 90 Km.
Trekking Point : Rajmachi Fort.
Altitude : 826 m
Another Day Another Expedition, but this time I was riding on cycle as a Field Officer of Cycling Expedition Organizing group, The Expeder. Officially I formed a group and named it 'The Expeder.'
I appointed myself as a Field Officer of the group. In the mint of December we made a plan of Rajmachi Fort, Karjat cycling route and trekking alongwith camping. We made proper plan and shared the idea with some of my contact and got great response from them. Almost 15 people hot ready for the trek and camping and from them 6 were there for cycling. Finally before D-Day 3 of them cancelled their application and at last we got 12 participants for the first event. 4 were cyclist and rest of the participants were coming by their individual vehicles for camp and trek.
Day 1:
I woke up at 0300 hrs as the reporting time was 0530 also I was very excited for the event as it was my first planned expedition as a Field Officer of the group. I again closed my eyes and tried to sleep for few more time but didn't get. So I decided to get up and go for final check of cycle and my luggage. The time was running and I checked myself and went to take bath. Then at 0500 hrs. I took my way to the starting point. I met Om Pawar there as he already came there and then we were waiting for Janvi Pawar to come. Finally she came and we started our journey. I made call to Dhanashree and she said that she also left from home and we'll meet at Koparkhairane. We started our ride and within 2 hours of slow ride we finally reached Koparkhairane.
Dhanashree came and again we continued our ride. It was fresh day and all of us were very enthusiastic for further events and rides. Slowly we were covering the distance. After crossing Kharghar we took our another stop at Panvel Bus Depot. We drink sugarcane juice and after taking some break we continued our ride. After some time we finally took two lane road to the destination. We were clicking pictures and enjoying the ride. We took a turn from Chowk and started our way to Karjat Station. We continued the ride and got consecutive sequence of elevation and descending. Finally we reached Karjat and we're waiting for one participant, Priya, as she was about to join us at Karjat, she came there by train. I went there and also bought some food stuff for night dinner. I gave that to Janvi she sat in rickshaw and went ahead and she gave her cycle to Priya as she wanted to ride. Again we started our ride for next 15 km as we covered 75 km from the starting point. We were very tired but we were not ready to quit. We finally reached 2 km away from destination. Very soon we covered that small distance too and entered the house which was our base camp at 1600 hrs. We rode for 9 hours by taking hardly 15-20 minutes break. We took rest and after eating our tiffins went in river for cooling down.
We made calls to other participants and asked when they will reach. Finally they came around 2100 hrs in the night. It was very dark outside so we made a bonfire and started cooking food on it. Finally Dhanashree made rice and after eating we enjoyed the bonfire. Then at 2300 hrs. I took a scooty and went to Karjat Station to pick the last 2 participant as they were late because of genuine reason. I took almost half hour to reach the station and I picked them from there and finally at 0045 hrs. I reached base camp. After all instructions we told them to sleep. And also gave wake up time of 0300 hrs. In the early morning. And we slept then
Day 2:
In the early morning at 0300 hrs. all of us woke up and got ready for the trek. We took a step out exactly at 0400 hrs. as we planned. We walked to the base of the Rajmachi Fort and then started our trek at 0430 hrs.
It was my first night trek also first ever organised trek. Under the moonlight and by holding the torch in hand we were finding our way then by mistake we went somewhere else from where we were unable to climb. So then Om came ahead to help me. I gave him my mobile and said now you find the way and lead the group I'll give you assistance. At that time I recalled the quote which says, 'The Leader Is The One Who Gives Chance Others To Lead Too.' We kept on walking under the moonlight and finally took to the Kondhana Caves. We then continued the path as it was very confusing because the trees blocked the moonlight too and due to fog the front way was not that much clear. Still slowly we covered the path and the got beautiful view of sunrise. Then under sunlight we continued our trek. We clicked some pictures and then finally we teach at the top of the hill and saw the actual Fort which was about to cover.
We covered it and reached at the top. And took a deep breath in cool wind. The wind was flowing with the speed that was pushing a standing man even. It was very thrilling and adventurous view for all of us. Then we ate some snacks and started exploring the top of the fort. Finally we clicked the pictures by waving tricolour and I also clicked signature click. And started way back to the base of fort and eventually took way to the Base Camp by crossing the river. After we had a lunch and took rest also cooled down the exhausted body by enjoying in river. The other non cyclist participants said good bye to us and started their way bck to home. We decided to spend one more night there only as it was quite late to leave also we were about to wind up everything. After winding up and washing the utensils and finishing the dinner we took rest as we were continuously working for many hours. We calculated nd got that we took only 3-5 hours sleep and doing heavy workout like cycling and trekking for last 45 hours. Mean to say in two days we took 5 hours of sleep only. On last day we decided to take rest as on another day we are about to take way back to the home. We slept at 1000 hrs. by switching off lights.
Day 3:
We woke up at 0300 hrs. and after winding up everything and cleaning the house and packing our bags we started our ride back to the home at 0400 hrs. And we continued the night cycling. We reach Karjat Station and one of our participant said that she'll go by train. We agreed as she was feeling cold and tiredness. We gave her instructions about traveling and again started our ride. We clicked some pictures while returning and continued the ride.
We continued the silent road towards the Chowk and finally reached highway. We continued then and by taking some small stops after 10-15 km ride we finally reached home by 1600 hrs. On that day we rode continuously for 12 hours. It was very awesome experience for me. As a cyclist and trekker I enjoyed a lot and as an Organizing member I learnt a lot. But the bottom line is all of us Explored By Compass.
-SgtRMPathare
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