Long long ago there was a time when I had a target to conquer all the peaks in South India.

The trip to Agastyakoodam happened long ago, before any of this happened. The world was still flat then and the date was 29th Jan 2010. We were at the base camp and made plans to start bit early the next day. I was was sure that not going to work and slept peacefully inside my sleeping bag. We woke up around 6:30 AM, got our breakfast packed and after few cups of tea started our trek to the peak nearly 8 O’ clock.

From the base camp the peak looked challenging and we were aware that the climate dramatically changes at the top. But today it seems its a pleasant day and we will not face much difficulty. I had all geared up and assortment of stuff including lenses, additional battery and first aid kit packed inside a photographer’s jacket and a wind sheeter to protect all this from rain and few plastic covers.

(sun rays playing hide and seek)

The initial trek was easy but seemed to be a terrain where we find elephants a lot which was bit scary. But the possibility of seeing a pigmy elephant was nice too 😉

The story about the "Stone" Elephants or the smaller elephants are intriguing. There are reports of sightings and even some photographs !

The trees were very small in this area and even the bamboos were dwarfer versions tempting us to believe in the myth of the Dragonfly Elephants and every step we expected to be the lucky ones to see one of them or a herd.

From : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallana

Generally I don't give ear to stories like this one but the smaller stones, extreme wind and the dwarf trees somehow made everything logicial even though I have never heard anyone suggesting that the area has smaller trees and plants.

The wikipedia article above has more about the elephants.

(dare to conquer – enjoying the view)

Once we were out of thick forest the steep climbs started and mist started arriving from nowhere. Four of us had visited the peak earlier and they started explaining about their earlier journey and how they crossed a dangerous stream which is just ahead of us.

If I was slightly biased to the right side of my brain, I was supposed to write, as we emerged out of the mystic forests where the agile elephants dwellled, visible only to the localites, the mountain started aiming of the blue skies .... fairies arrived and encircled in mist like forms ... etc etc !

The atmosphere started getting colder and windy. Mist was coming with the wind and the wind was strong enough that we started feeling it agiainst us. I found it was a good decision to leave the camera bag behind.

mist arrives ...

(mist starts flooding with the wind. We can see it spreading in this photo. In ten minutes we were immersed in it.)

(the stream which 3 of our team had crossed with much difficulty during their previous expedition. I must It was a real dangerous attempt from their side. Something which others should not try at home.)

(edge ...)

(its a good idea to be careful here. Travels give us a time to contemplate about life. It sometimes leaves us with nothing to hold on to. All that can take us forward is how carefully we plan our next step.)

Last 5 photos were taken in 10 minutes and the place was suddenly misty and we couldn’t see anything beyond 5 meters or so now. We started climbing up decided to have our break fast near Ponkalappara.

**In 10 minutes, the entire area was covered in mist -- but the nature had more surprises for us .... **

(mist mist everywhere)

After the steep climb we reached a clearing. The place had suddenly became extremely cold and wet. If the same climate is going to continue it is going to difficult to climb the remaining path and that was not a pleasant thought at all.

(windchil, mist.)

We sat down near a small stream for breakfast. I had poori with me and some had uppumaavu. By the time the whole place was covered with mist and all that was remaining now was rain. It looked like we must expect heavy rain any moment now. The sudden change in climate was very strange and quite unexpected.

Here comes, rain!

For those who are not familiar witht he Monsoon clad weather of South India, it rarely or never rains in February. We had no reason to expect the rain and we were unprepared except for my weird idea of carrying a light weight rain coat which doubles as a protection for the camera and lenses.

Needless to say, in few hours, we witnessed, wind, mist and rain.

(breakfast time. And rain time!)

We were getting accustomed with the rain and cold but then both rain and mist vanished and we were walking in sun light.

The climate soon started getting better. Yea, as I was told a 100 times this place is different !

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For a change, One of the non-mythological symbols in the area

(One life. We all have a life to leave marks behind. Here is how someone to choose to leave a mark behind. This was created by someone so that whoever climbs the mighty mountain remembers him. (there is no myth behind this. its very recent – modern)

Man is always keen to worship what he doesn’t understand. It seems a recent example will be film stars whom we don’t understand. We build temples for them when we find it difficult to understand how a feeble man can fight hundreds and cause “Neo Effect” on bullets. The earthly mark in the previous photo may became a similar one in next 100 years.

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if we don’t understand, we will worship. If we understand we will destroy. We are humans.

(where the mystery forest starts)

The climate had become normal again and the visibility was good too. We started climbing up through a narrow slippery stream. The terrain again looked promising but I never expected it will make me realize that being alive is such a great thing and life is so beautiful.

Part1 is here: Trekking to Agasthyakoodam day one

Comments:

• The part 1 and part 2 were originally posted years ago on https://freebird.in & then I decided against posting more picture of the pristine forest to prevent people finding out more an ruining it. Looks like forest department is doing an excellent job and its time to post photos of one of the most beautiful and fragile areas on earth .... "

• Agasthyakoodam is also called as Agasthyarkoodam

• All the photos are taken with a Nikon D80 which could magically withstand rain though its not weathersealed.

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I promise, Part III will have the photos of the best place on earth!