18 & 19 April 2009.
To start with this one; I will introduce you all with the terms I will be using hereafter……specifically for those who don’t know anything about these terms in mountaineering..
First one to add to the list is “Telbaila” - This is a fort near Lonavala, 
to be precise it’s very near the Amby Valley (the original old name is “Ambegaon”). Now some technical terms --- Carabiners aka Crab - this is device made-up of aluminum alloy and is used to lock oneself to rope using a Harness. Harness is support equipment used for climbing, rappelling like activities.
to be precise it’s very near the Amby Valley (the original old name is “Ambegaon”). Now some technical terms --- Carabiners aka Crab - this is device made-up of aluminum alloy and is used to lock oneself to rope using a Harness. Harness is support equipment used for climbing, rappelling like activities.The plan was to climb the Telbaila wall on Friday & setup the
anchors, ropes for the team that was to arrive on Saturday. But as usual cancellations made us stay back with this plan. Finally we started from Mumbai on Friday night around 20.00 hours. After finishing dinner at Lonavala we somehow managed to reach the base of Telbaila Fort by 01.30 hours at night (The last 10kms road to Telbaila is too bad for cars– reminded me of the dialogue in movie Chinagate “Tumhe uthana nahi sametana pade hai”). When we were about to enter the village – we saw some bikers approaching us & it was a shock for us. They were also there to climb the same face that was planned by us as a group activity. But fortunately he was a friend of someone in our group & so we planned to coordinate mutually for the climb.
anchors, ropes for the team that was to arrive on Saturday. But as usual cancellations made us stay back with this plan. Finally we started from Mumbai on Friday night around 20.00 hours. After finishing dinner at Lonavala we somehow managed to reach the base of Telbaila Fort by 01.30 hours at night (The last 10kms road to Telbaila is too bad for cars– reminded me of the dialogue in movie Chinagate “Tumhe uthana nahi sametana pade hai”). When we were about to enter the village – we saw some bikers approaching us & it was a shock for us. They were also there to climb the same face that was planned by us as a group activity. But fortunately he was a friend of someone in our group & so we planned to coordinate mutually for the climb.Our next day started really early in the morning before the sunrise at around 05.30am. we had a “mast” tea made by Mangesh…our leader of the event & then headed for the climb. The Telbaila fort or you can say Telbaila Mountain is divided in two huge ro
ck walls (geologically known as dike formation) & a small cave at the base/junction of the rock walls. We started gearing up for the climb. The last night’s group had already started their climb. Their group was of 9 + the lead climber. The advantage was that; their climbing program was only for one day & our Group event was next day. We all were here to prepare everything in advance for the group. All the anchoring, rope fixing was to be done today for the batch to climb tomorrow.
ck walls (geologically known as dike formation) & a small cave at the base/junction of the rock walls. We started gearing up for the climb. The last night’s group had already started their climb. Their group was of 9 + the lead climber. The advantage was that; their climbing program was only for one day & our Group event was next day. We all were here to prepare everything in advance for the group. All the anchoring, rope fixing was to be done today for the batch to climb tomorrow.As usual Mangesh started the lead climb & he moved ahead of the climbing
group before the first ledge/halt. Such a swift movements he has on Rock & that is also at such heights…..this is called confidence & it requires “Lots of Practice & Stamina”. The actual Telbaila wall height is not more than 200 fts; but the climbing route is not vertical & it is divided in many steps of horizontal movements (called as traverses). Total climbing height was around 450 fts. As we all started climbing the wall; we figured out a problem that will surely arise tomorrow; is time & participants management on the actual climbing route. So we planned one leader to stay at one shifting/Switchover point for whole day till the last participant passes him.
group before the first ledge/halt. Such a swift movements he has on Rock & that is also at such heights…..this is called confidence & it requires “Lots of Practice & Stamina”. The actual Telbaila wall height is not more than 200 fts; but the climbing route is not vertical & it is divided in many steps of horizontal movements (called as traverses). Total climbing height was around 450 fts. As we all started climbing the wall; we figured out a problem that will surely arise tomorrow; is time & participants management on the actual climbing route. So we planned one leader to stay at one shifting/Switchover point for whole day till the last participant passes him.The climb till the first cave was a good experience with a traverse at the
start itself. Then again a flat horizontal gentle walk & you will reach to the first cave. After the first cave again some horizontal walk & some steps (yes guys…..there are some steps still remaining…………..all the steps were blown down by Angrezzzz>… but still some are there as a remnants). Just imagine guys; the fort we are climbing now with all the ropes & gadgets was climbed long back without all these……..just following the steps). Kya jamana aa gaya hai..... Mangesh told me to lead after the first cave. The reach to the second cave was a great satisfaction; as there was a water tank just near the cave. Really cool water……..amazing creations by our ancestors. Now the rock patch just above the cave was a tricky one. I looked back at Mangesh….. he said “Jaaa re….Hoil easily”..Moral boost……Solid rock patch it was; around 20/25 feet. After that again some more steps towards the top. Then Mangesh came up with me; just above the cave. This really was going to be a tricky patch for tomorrow…at-least for those who will be climbing for the first time. So we decided to fix a wire ladder for next day. Mean time the other group was also approaching us. All 9 of them have reached the first cave & were waiting for their leader to start the next route.
start itself. Then again a flat horizontal gentle walk & you will reach to the first cave. After the first cave again some horizontal walk & some steps (yes guys…..there are some steps still remaining…………..all the steps were blown down by Angrezzzz>… but still some are there as a remnants). Just imagine guys; the fort we are climbing now with all the ropes & gadgets was climbed long back without all these……..just following the steps). Kya jamana aa gaya hai..... Mangesh told me to lead after the first cave. The reach to the second cave was a great satisfaction; as there was a water tank just near the cave. Really cool water……..amazing creations by our ancestors. Now the rock patch just above the cave was a tricky one. I looked back at Mangesh….. he said “Jaaa re….Hoil easily”..Moral boost……Solid rock patch it was; around 20/25 feet. After that again some more steps towards the top. Then Mangesh came up with me; just above the cave. This really was going to be a tricky patch for tomorrow…at-least for those who will be climbing for the first time. So we decided to fix a wire ladder for next day. Mean time the other group was also approaching us. All 9 of them have reached the first cave & were waiting for their leader to start the next route.After the ladder wala rock patch it was a scree till the top of the 
pinnacle. But easy route it was. We managed to reach the top by 10.15am. After me came Mangesh & then Rajan. He reached the top & immediately called the guys down at base camp on walky talky & informed them “Sagalyana sanga Rajan Maharaj gadavar pohochale”. Great time we had on top with all the participants from the puna wala Group. We started our descent after them; as we were supposed to fix-up all the ropes & anchors for tomorrow. This was the worst activity of the day. The final rope fixing till the base while climbing took more than 3 hours, & we reached the base cave by 4.30pm.
pinnacle. But easy route it was. We managed to reach the top by 10.15am. After me came Mangesh & then Rajan. He reached the top & immediately called the guys down at base camp on walky talky & informed them “Sagalyana sanga Rajan Maharaj gadavar pohochale”. Great time we had on top with all the participants from the puna wala Group. We started our descent after them; as we were supposed to fix-up all the ropes & anchors for tomorrow. This was the worst activity of the day. The final rope fixing till the base while climbing took more than 3 hours, & we reached the base cave by 4.30pm.Overall a good experience as a lead climb but the tension was s
till there in mind……………………………………..we were not there only to climb but to guide all the climbers/participants coming tomorrow morning..
Nothing special to write about the second day event…….it was totally horrifying……nothing wrong happened. But all the leaders were stuck on their respective locations for the whole day.
Interesting part of next day was the wind-up activity in dark. We managed to send all the participants at base by 6.30pm. After that we started winding-up. Sharang – one of our leaders realized one more thing………as it was a day climbing he was there with his goggles on, but now it was turning dark and he needed his high powered glasses………….which were kept down in his sack…can’t help now. He started climbing down without his specs. As all were down; myself, Mangesh & Shantanu still struggling for the final patch wind-up. We reached the base at 9.45pm……gosh………...finally all touched down safe & sound….to celebrate this success…..surprise presence made by the Rain Gods………slights showers & everyone was delighted.
till there in mind……………………………………..we were not there only to climb but to guide all the climbers/participants coming tomorrow morning..Nothing special to write about the second day event…….it was totally horrifying……nothing wrong happened. But all the leaders were stuck on their respective locations for the whole day.
Interesting part of next day was the wind-up activity in dark. We managed to send all the participants at base by 6.30pm. After that we started winding-up. Sharang – one of our leaders realized one more thing………as it was a day climbing he was there with his goggles on, but now it was turning dark and he needed his high powered glasses………….which were kept down in his sack…can’t help now. He started climbing down without his specs. As all were down; myself, Mangesh & Shantanu still struggling for the final patch wind-up. We reached the base at 9.45pm……gosh………...finally all touched down safe & sound….to celebrate this success…..surprise presence made by the Rain Gods………slights showers & everyone was delighted.
The event was a great success without any mishap…. :) All credit goes to each & every leader stationed whole day at their respective spots. I would like to share the names with you all …… Mangesh, Pinak, Sukhada, Shantanu. Rajan, Sharang, Vilas Kaka, Gautami & Sudip…..the last two names mentioned here were at the top whole day (Just imagine……mid April sun without a shelter…………..hats off)………………hats off to everyone.
** some of the snaps used here are taken by Ravi Vaidyanathan. **
** My special Thanks to Ravi Anna for sharing his snaps with us **
Some more adventures awaiting my way…………. still to come some more journeys & some more stories for all of you.
05/05/2009.
** My special Thanks to Ravi Anna for sharing his snaps with us **
Some more adventures awaiting my way…………. still to come some more journeys & some more stories for all of you.
05/05/2009.
