Rajmachi - With office Friends

There was a charged feel to the air that evening in office. It was a Friday and we had been planning this for three weeks, way too long to endure. But it was with office guys and all had issues. I was available alternate week-ends only, two of us had newborns and one had a son passing through term exams. But we did it! Come


Saturday morning, all were awake and calling each other to confirm the same. I reached Dhanaji's house and we took the bus to the Pune Mumbai Bypass.



Alok, Raju, Mahesh and Mandar were comming in Alok's Innova. We whiled away our time since we were early and in good time the Innova was spotted, with Raju in the front seat clicking away to all moving and stationary objects.



There were two looooong breaks for food and once all were stuffed we started on our way. It was noon by that time and I started having my doubts regarding timing ourselves for a same day return.





Our driver Vitthal was a short and low profile fellow from Latur. Spoke very rarely. We missed our way for the turn under the expressway, got redirected to Rajmachi Point in Kkandala, (it is just a garden) and finally doing an illegal U Turn on the Express Way reached the location.


It was a very rough road for the Innova and I was dying to get my feet dirty. Vitthal did a fantastic job guiding the van into the trail which was rutted and full of slush. Finally, when the van could go no more, we alighted and started walking. It was a 12 KM walk and we were all fresh and very confident.


Then started the actual trek. About 5 Kms down, Alok's Reeboks gave out.The soles just peeled off!! Luckily it was just next to a stream and a small tea shop. So on mutual decision, we left Alok back and continued.


This stream was across our path and extremely inviting. The Sun was doing it's job and we needed to cool off desperately. IT guys are not naturally suited for trekking :).




The route ahead was a very easy trek and extremely scenic. we came across a waterfall in some distance which flowed off a concave shaped cliff. Some photography and a little rest followed.


On the way we met Mr. Crab. It was just a crab, but when it faced us and almost attacked Mahesh, I started referring to it as Mr. Crab.


After long walk later, we reached teh village at the base. There was another Mumbai Group there on their way back and they had taken the Mumbai route (while we had taken the Pune route).


Some lemon juice and a rest later we started the actual climb to the Machi. This is where our stamina and endurance were tested. Mandar decided to stay back at the village but after a glass of fresh lime juice joined us for the climb.

The climb was tough by our standards. Touch to the muscles, the route was easy.But the scenery and the views were more than worth it.

After reaching the Machi we had another target, the pinnacle and this is where my calf muscles started giving way. I was running a risk of a cramp. Mandar decided to stay back at the base fort and Alok was already back to the Van. If I dropped out it would be a very small part of our team to reach the pinnacle. This was not acceptable. So I started walking on with a very, very flat left foot. Caught up with the guys and reached the pinnacle.

I was experiencing a system overheat and a light shower had started. I instantly removed my T-Shirt and et nature take care of the cooling task. That's it! We did it!

Now we had to return.. what? All the way back? with Aching legs?? Nooooooooooo! I really do not have the heart to describe it here, but trust me it was one painful walk

back and that too in diminishing light. Next morning/ day hobbled around the house cursing the lack of exercise during normal life. Cheers!