Height : 3300 ft.
Travel mode : Train + bus (- can be skipped) + jeep/auto
My trek date : 24-Nov-2013
The experience :
First thought when we saw the imposing wall of the Shidi ghat route ahead of us - this is going to be the most thrilling trek we've done so far. First thought after we'd climbed the wall - it's great fun, but the difficulty of this trek is overhyped. The only thought while walking back the Ganesh ghat route - why doesn't this trek end? In all fairness, the Ganesh ghat trail isn't so bad and must be very scenic in the rains. The reason I didn't like the descent back was that I hadn't eaten anything for a few hours, and had shoes with a thin sole that (although they were great for bouldering) did nothing to protect my feet from the gravelly ground.
So how was it at the outset? We had to walk almost an hour before the first breathtaking view came in sight - a formidable wall that seemed impossible to climb.
Wow factor : Thrilling. Especially scenic in monsoon.
Difficulty : Risky and strenuous. For the inexperienced without a guide - very difficult. For the experienced - difficult in monsoon, medium otherwise.
Endurance : 3-4 hours of medium/steep climb and 3-4 hours of descent (Total time : 1 day ex-Mumbai)
Travel mode : Train + bus (- can be skipped) + jeep/auto
Cost : ~ Rs. 400
Region : Karjat east
Trek route : Khandas -> climb via Shidi ghat to Bhimashankar -> descend via Ganesh ghat to Khandas
My trek date : 24-Nov-2013
The experience :
First thought when we saw the imposing wall of the Shidi ghat route ahead of us - this is going to be the most thrilling trek we've done so far. First thought after we'd climbed the wall - it's great fun, but the difficulty of this trek is overhyped. The only thought while walking back the Ganesh ghat route - why doesn't this trek end? In all fairness, the Ganesh ghat trail isn't so bad and must be very scenic in the rains. The reason I didn't like the descent back was that I hadn't eaten anything for a few hours, and had shoes with a thin sole that (although they were great for bouldering) did nothing to protect my feet from the gravelly ground.
So how was it at the outset? We had to walk almost an hour before the first breathtaking view came in sight - a formidable wall that seemed impossible to climb.