Bangalore ASCENDers (BASC) completed FIVE years

Bangalore ASCENDers (BASC) completed 5th year on 17th April 2014. We like to thank all 30+ Organisers and 4850+ members for their support in BASC success.

In 5th year BASC completed 103 (⇧10%) events organised by 26 (⇧18%) Organisers taking 1478 (⇧7%) members. Also 1264 (⇓6%) members joined last year. And you guys won’t believe, total expenditure from all 103 events is Rs.21,98,283! yes 22 lakh rupees!!!

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Forest Regeneration Program - June 2013

BASC campaign for forest protection because, without healthy, thriving forests, planet Earth cannot sustain life. Forests also regulate water flow and rainfall so we depend on them to grow our crops and food. Forest regeneration is the act of renewing tree cover by human assistance. The need for an effective and low cost forest and biodiversity restoration and rehabilitation methods is now highlighted in the face of climate change and the global phenomenon of rapid loss of forests and biodiversity.

As you all know in Sep 2012 we planted 1100+ saplings in Kollegala area under BASC's social activity "Forest Regeneration Program" (FRP). Plants are healthy and growing fast, but unfortunately around 200+ plants are removed by elephant herd :( So last Saturday (15th June 2013) we took up planting again as monsoon rain started in the area. We completed planting 200 neem saplings with help of local workers, Forest watchers and BASC team (me, Rajesh, Girish & Anitha).

   I thank Srinivas of SM Transport for arranging Tata 407 for free of cost and also I thank Ganesh Madyastha of Himalaya Health Care for providing 200 neem plants again for free of cost.

FRP activity so far:

FRP Phase-1: Digging pits on 19th May 2012

FRP Phase-2: Planting & watering on 1st & 2nd Sep 2012

FRP Phase-3: Watering on 18th Nov 2012

FRP Phase-4: Watering on 3rd Feb 2013

FRP Phase-5: Watering on 9th March 2013

FRP Phase-6: Watering on 13th Apr 2013

FRP Phase-7: Planting on 15th June 2013

Expenses of FRP so far:

FRP1 → Rs.7650

FRP2  → Rs.15100

FRP3 → Rs.3500

FRP4 → Rs.3500

FRP5 → Rs.1000

FRP6 → Rs.5500

FRP7 → Rs.2800

Contribution → Rs.27000

BASC Fund used → Rs.12050

For more info about FRP:

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/2012/11/forest-fire-awareness-program-frp.html

Visit our Group @ CLICK HERE

Join Bangalore ASCENDers @ CLICK HERE

Event organized by: Ambareesh Karanth

Written by: Ambareesh Karanth

Image Gallery: Rajesh P Nayak

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Bangalore ASCENDers (BASC) completed FOUR years

Started just as a Trekking group on April 17th 2009, now it has grown to become a group of 3650+ members and with various types of events in its banner.

It has been a really great experience for all of us in 4 years journey of Bangalore ASCENDers (BASC).Thanks to all Organisers, Participants, Supporters, and to all  members for making this group a success :-)

Summary of BASC's 4th Year:  - 94 events conducted including; Treking, Cycling, Social Resposibility, Treknic, Photography, Forest regeneration, etc

 - 22 Organisers conducted events including 13 new Organisers

 - 1380 members participated in different events

 - 1350 members joined BASC in this year

Events of  2012-2013:

Important Events of 4th year;

1. Forest Regeneration Program - Planting & watering 1000+ saplings - Organised by Ambareesh Karanth

2. Knowledge sharing Session - Organised by Girish NL

3. Joy of Giving & Social Responsibility - Organised by Ambareesh Karanth, Jinu, Sathish R & M Rafi

4. Himalayan Cycling Expedition in Leh-Ladakh-Nubra Valley - Organised by Rajesh P Nayak

5. Everest Base Camp Trek - Organised by Jayashree M

6. Goechala Trek, Sikkim - Organised by Girish Motwani

7. Himalayan Trek series - Chadar Trek - Organised by  Girish Motwani

BASC Organisers contribution:

First things @ BASC:

Facts about BASC CORE Team:

BASC member count:

Share your experiences, ideas and suggestions to make BASC a professional team.

And hope to see the same support in future. Also hope many new Organisers & more participants to join in this year also :-)

More about BASC @

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/2002/01/about-us.html

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/search/label/social%20event

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/search/label/Conservation

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/search/label/Blood%20Donation

http://www.bangaloreascenders.org/search/label/cycling

Keep exploring places, Happy Trekking :)

Join Bangalore ASCENDers @ CLICK HERE

Composed by: Ambareesh Karanth

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Trek to Bandaje Arbi Falls & Ballalarayana Durga (Fort)

Western Ghats has a unique identifications and hidden treasury in it, which a common man can’t reach.  Bandaje Arbi Falls is one of those places where water  flows through all seasons of the year.  Bandaje Arbi Falls located in Charmudi ghat in Dakshina Kannada district is around 12km away from Ujire (close to Dharmasthala) and trek starts from the village Mundajje.  One should have strong determination and energy to reach this falls and enjoy the glory of Mother Nature.

On the day I joined Bangalore Ascenders (BASC), I had a list of must visit places in and around Karnataka.  Bandaje Arbi Falls & Ballalarayana Durga was also one in the list.  When I saw the event registration mail by Niranjan (Event Organizer), i called  my friends Sudhakar & Chandrakanth (CK) and asked them to register soon.  Due to time constrain CK could not join us.  We were not sure of getting short listed to this event as the team size was only 12 members.  Luckily we both were able to make our self in the shortlisted participants and got ready  to go to Bandaje.

As BASC common point of boarding is Shanthala Silk House, I was much ahead of the stipulated time 9.30pm. 

BASC Assemble Point - Shanthala Silk House

Already couple of friends (co-trekkers) were present there (soon everyone joined).  I got a warm welcome by Ram, Umesh and later  by Niranjan.  We left Bangalore around 10.30pm in Tempo Traveler (TT).

We had a brief introduction about our self followed by our previous trekking experience on the way in TT.  The team members were Ram, Umesh, Venu, Govind, Sreeharsha, Sudhakar, Harsh, Diptankar, Ashutosh, Satish, Niranjan & I.  Govind & Sreeharsha had already done few events with me at Dabbe Falls & Kanoor Kote; I got nine new friends again.  Introduction part went on till 12 midnight and everyone slid in to deep sleep.  The seats were not so comfortable and I was struggling to sleep…..

Day – 1: 16^th March, 2013

We reached Ujire (via Dharmasthala) around 4.30 am.  We finished our morning itinerary and had delicious breakfast - Upma & Idly.  Packed Chitranna for lunch. 

Niranjan explained itinerary for next two days. Bandaje which is around 16km from the start point. Day 1 we need to cover Bandaje and  night camping near water falls, 2^nd day head towards Ballalarayana Durga, exit at Sunkasale, visit Horanadu and return back to Bangalore. 

The plan was , divide the Group into two and first group enters the forest, wait somewhere around 2km from the start point for the second group to join. 

Umesh is a local guy who knows Tulu (local language) , first group headed towards Narayan Gowda’s house.  We had walked almost 2km in jeep track crossing two houses.  He managed the people talking in Tulu and entered into the forest.  We had to cross the last house ‘Babu Nayak’ and take right path to proceed towards the Bandaje Arbi falls.  The real trek started and we understood that the whole route is steep ascending for almost 15km.  The forest was completely thick and green.  As per the plan, we trekked around 2km and waited for other group to join. 

Being thick forest and no trail; it was very difficult to find out the route and reach the destination on-time.

The path was not so easy, everyone was sweating badly due to high humidity and steep ascend. After several breaks and two hours continuous trek, we reached the water stream around 10.30 am. 

We took a dip in water and got relaxed for some time.  Water was very cold!!!  The steep ascend continued, taking few breaks we reached the grassland.  70 % of Bandaje is covered by thick forest and the rest is open grass land. We decided to have lunch around 12:45 PM at the entrance of the grass land followed by a photography session. 

We could view the beautiful falls from grass land and feel to reach falls within short time. But we couldn’t !!.We reached Waterfalls around 3:30PM

We spent some time near falls and then decided to camp near the stream.  The plan for the evening was, first to prepare Maggie, relax for 1 hour, soup around 7pm, dinner at 9pm, camp fire, & then entertainment till 10pm.

Umesh, Sudhakar, Ram were busy collecting the wood for camp fire.  Few of us took bath in the stream again. Oh my god, water was very cold. After the break, the Maggie preparation started.  Umesh was always ahead in all activities, he was able lit the fire.  Then came the real part of adventure !!! The rain started rudeness with sound of thunder and lightning.  Goodness we had 3 tarpaulins, using 2 we covered our luggage and rest we used it for our shelter.  Rain poured  for almost one hour and it shattered all our plan. There was nothing to shelter except open sky. 

The  ground was wet and we had tough time .  We all had yummy Maggie and planned the next strategy. We decided to have puliyogare for dinner.  We had tasty hot dinner around 8.30pm and decided to sleep.

We had to take care of the camp fire to protect from wild animals. Umesh took the initiatives.  I could not sleep well in the night.  It was my first experience to sleep in such a place which I could not think at all.  Thanks to the rain which  made our trek more adventurous.

Day-2: 17^th March, 2013

I would like to appreciate capabilities of Ram during the trek.  He was one who does not have regular food, less sleep and always ahead in the group.  By curiosity asked the secret, understood he is a Yoga patu and does 2 hours every day.  I woke up around 4.15am, by the time Ram also got up.  We had tough time letting the fire ,Umesh again helped us.  Everyone got up by 6 am and finished our morning nature call and headed towards our second destination to conquer the Ballalarayna Durga.  The distance of the fort was almost 6-7km from falls and minimum 2 hours journey.

As per plan, we had to reach the fort before the humidity increases.  Our journey started around 7 am and the route began as planned before. 

Nothing was changed in the ascend, except few steps flat surface.  We were able to enjoy the beautiful view of the entire valley.  In between we had photography sessions, breaks and chitchat talk.  After few kilometer treks, we were able to view the fort but we need to walk almost more than one hour.  The last part of the stretch was very difficult and real test for our strength.

We were able to conquer the fort by around 10a.m.

Except the shattered walls nothing much at Ballalarayana Durga, however you can enjoy the Mother Nature and the beautiful valley.  We met the king of the fort (forgot his name) who runs the cattle-shed in the fort.  He has around 50 cattle and he welcomes all visitors of the fort.  We decided to prepare once again for breakfast.  King offered his kitchen for preparation and provided the water with some bucks.  Everyone was hungry and then had delicious Maggie.  We had good time at fort and relaxed for 1hour before proceeding our descend.  Understood from the King that the Sunkasale (our end point of the trek) is around 6 km and one hour journey.  We decided to take one more hour break and did accordingly.

We left the fort around 11.30 am and all were happy in the spirit of spending almost two hours at the fort. 

The pace was fast and we entered forest before reaching the jeep track.  Everyone back to their initial enthusiasm and taking very less break reached the Sunkasale at 2 pm.  Meantime Niranjan called the driver and asked him to come to Sunkasale. Within one hour TT reached and we boarded vehicle to reach Horanadu.

From Sunkasale, Horanadu is around 30 km.  Reached Horanadu by 3.30 pm and decided to take a dip in Bhadra river.  Everyone had holy bath in the river and Niranjan asked us to finish the feedback part after taking the bath.  We finished vote of thanks and feedback and then headed to Horanadu town.  Took Darshana of Horanadu Annapoorneshwari and had Prasad (dinner) and left at 10.30pm to Bangalore.  Though we trekked 25-27km in two days, there still remains my desire and passion to do more.  I was thinking what will be the next event in BASC for me through out my return journey ….

Thanks to each one of my friends (co-trekkers) who were very co-operative, friendly and also who had taken photographs as and when requested to you all. Special thanks to Niranjan for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this wonderful trek.  No words to BASC, motivating and giving opportunity to enjoy the real beauty of Mother Nature.

Join Bangalore ASCENDers @ CLICK HERE

Written by: Sagar V 
Event organized by: Niranjan

Composed by: Honnegowda and Vinay

Date: 16th & 17th March, 2013

Image Gallery : Ashothosh

The Crew: Venugopal, Sreeharsha, Vidhya Sagar, Sudhakar,Umesh ,Govind Gorur,Harsh,Sathish anand, Ashothosh ,Deeptangan,Ram ,Niranjan

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Malnad Cycling - Kodachadri on Feb 2013

Cycling in lush green malnad is always so much fun. This time places selected were around Sharavathi backwaters of Linganamakki Dam. Kodachadri is a famous trekking place, which is also my first trekking spot in 2006. Jeep ride to Moola Mookambika is so scary in that mud road with steep climb and slippery rocks. So wanted try cycling in that route to test our cycling skills! BASC team of 9 were ready for the adventure on Feb 23rd & 24th 2013. Also this was my first long ride with new KHS MTB after 2 years cycling with Hercules ACT110+. We left Bangalore on Friday night by 10:30PM by hired TATA Winger, which was really comfortable compared to TT.

Team: Ambareesh Karanth, Girish Motwani, Keerthi raj, Mallikarjun, Megha, Supraja, Vani Maradi, Venkatesh Kaulgud and Viswanath.

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Kodaikanal Cycling - Nov 2012

Start of yet another cycling Trip after a long gap, I organised for BASC friends with help from Rajesh. Even after organising many treks & cycling events, still I feel the same excitation of my first event. After two cycling trips to Munnar last year, thought of doing cycling to famous Kodaikanal was there from many days,. Finally fixed the event on Nov 1 as we got long weekend, and thought Neelam cyclone will make cycling easy and memorable. Rajesh suggested to take two vehicles as many cyclists were waiting for a cycling event. So after hard work, planning we both did, and finally the day has come to kick start the event. As neelam bought heavy rain in bangalore, it made things difficult. Participants were late in reaching common pick-up point and tieing cycles on top of TT under heavy rain was a challenge. All these delayed our plan by 2hrs, and finally we left Bangalore by 11:45PM!

Day1: Palani → Kodaikanal → 55km

Day2: Kodaikanal Lake → Coaker’s Walk → Pillars Rock → Guna Caves (25km)

Day3: Kodaikanal → Manavannur → Berijam Road → Kodaikanal (70km)

Day4: Kodaikanal → Ghatt Road (Theni→Dindigul Highway) (55km)

I must thank Rajesh for supporting me in all ways to make this event successful and memorable one. Also thank all participants Ajitha, Amit, Anusha, Datta, Druva, Giridhar, Girish, Guruprakash, Krutika, Nagaraj, Naveen, Nitin, Rajesh, Sarvesh, Vinay and Viswanath.

Event Organiser: Ambareesh Karanth

Write-up: Ambareesh Karanth, Ajitha Madan

Photo-links:

Ambareesh Karanth:

https://picasaweb.google.com/113308819271452146340/KodaikanalCycling4Days#5807720504078265458

Rudra Aradya:

https://plus.google.com/photos/103102340303200642351/albums/5807359067437700289?authkey=COLtqqbR5Y7ASQ

Vinay MP:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4899708333795.190874.1330515932&type=1

From Krutika:

Photos link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.501814889842672.119148.100000424976769&type=1

From Nagaraj N:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=113799530429804777366&target=ALBUM&id=5808662372081368689&authkey=Gv1sRgCL34ue-QpImYtQE&feat=email

Visit our Group @ CLICK HERE

Join Bangalore ASCENDers @ CLICK HERE

Event organized by: Ambareesh Karanth

Written by: Ambareesh Karanth

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Trekked Ombattu Gudda (OG) in 11 hours!!! (OG/7)

Trekked Ombattu Gudda (OG) in 11 hours!!!

Yes even it was difficult for us to believe! Started on Saturday (Nov 26th 2011) morning at 6:30AM from Gundya and reached OG at 5:30PM :-) :-) Even pushed ourself to reached Lakshmi Estate on Saturday night itself by 10PM! We trekked more than 30km in a day.

Ombattu Gudda (nine hills) Trek is very famous for its mysterious route! Its in Kabbinale reserve forest, at the height of 971m. OG is a trekkers paradise, and can scare the daylights out of even a hardened trekker. No trial to follow and in dense vegetation its damn easy to get lost. May be only 3 out of 10 team will conquer OG. If lost its not even easy trace back trial to reach the start point. Many teams have spent even 2 days to come back after getting lost on day1. Also wild elephants, bear, bison, poisonous snakes and blood suckers (leeches) add more toughness and challenges to OG trek.

Note: * Need permission from Forest department as this is restricted area.

OG is about 20-25km trek to peak depending on the trial we take, and to Hosakere its around 10km. Starting point is Gundya, around 38km from Sakleshpura or 260km from Bangalore. Dharmasthala and Mangalore busses will go via Gundya. Trek exit is through Hosakere in Mudigere. Last bus to Mudigere is @ 5:PM. From Mudigere there are many buses to Bangalore.

Usually Bangalore ASCENDers (BASC) gets huge response for OG trek events! Its really a tough task for organiser to select a team. Ours was a 13 member team (Abhishek Sooda, Ambareesh Karanth, Anitha, Avinash Kodikal, Naveen A, Naveen Mallesh, Rahul, Rajesh P Nayak, Samudyatha, Sanketh Shetty, Somashekara, Sri Harsha, and Vikas) with 3 trekkers experiencing first trek! and 2 guys never did 2 days tough trek. But they had tremendous spirit to summit OG.

We reached Gundya very early in the morning, so slept in TT itself for more than an hour waiting for the sunlight. We got down near Kabbinale bridge, took our trekking gears and all were ready for the tough trek. One can easily make out the excitation and eager in every faces to climb OG. After crossing Kabbinale bridge (1.5km from Gundya Forest checkpost towards Dharmasthala) we followed a mud road to the right which takes inside the Gundaya village. Houses are there on both sides of the road, but after about 15 walk no civilization, its dense forest. Still a jeep track continues till the point where Kabbinale joins Adda Hole. Its around 3hrs easy walk with crossing few small streams, experiencing beauty of dense forest. We saw fresh & old elephant dung on the way! We need to be very cautious as there are chances of deviating from jeep track as many paths will be joining (both left & right) and also due to tree falling on path. Always we need to follow wide trail and never trek off the track.

In the Kabbinale river crossing point, we relaxed and had breakfast. Water was crystal clear and very tasty. After spending half an hour we left @ 11AM, we crossed Kabbinale river and continued to walk on the jeep track. We were clearly hearing Adda hole river flowing to the right of us. 

After about an half an hour walk, track will join Adda hole (near big rocks), from here there is no jeep track, we need to move along with narrow foot path. Now the path is inside dense forest and is scary as we saw few poisonous vipers.

Ahead we got a 'Y' junction, right goes to Devara Gundi falls (below) and straight path is OG trial. We were not interested in going to falls as it was full of slippery rocks so very risky, also water was very less.. We continued to trek straight. After walking for 15 minutes again we got a 'Y' junction, right goes to Devara Gundi falls (above) or joins Adda hole and straight goes inside dense jungle. Right path is what is mapped in Survey map in red dots, which goes on the bank of Adda hole (which we followed in OG/3). But we went straight, can't justify why, but I always try a different route. As we moved further, path became very narrow and often interrupted by fallen trees. Around 2PM we reached a small stream, and decided to have lunch there. I was really surprised by the first time trekkers as they were walking without much difficulty, also didn't ask for breaks in between! and I should thank Rajesh & Naveen Mallesh who were sweepers till now were motivating & pushing the whole team.

Finished lunch and filled water now ready to move forward. Crossed the stream, went ahead slightly towards right as it was going towards top of a hill. We all climbed the hill, now forest was not dense and trees were very straight and tall. Rajesh checked GPS location in his iPhone, we were on the verge of the forest which will open up in OG range. All were happy that we were on right way and also didn't get lost in jungle. We continued further it was an uphill climb, by 3:30PM we were out of jungle and reached grassland of OG range. Actually we directly reached 2nd peak of OG from its south side (normal route is to take left from Addahole and reach OG range from its east side). All were so happy that we will be climbing OG on day1 only!

Now challenging task was to climb rest 7 peaks to reach OG that too under hot sun and heavy wind. This time Rajesh & Naveen Mallesh were leading the team and I & Somashekara were pushing the team as sweepers. It was not an easy task at all, wind was literally pushing out of the hill if we don't hold the grass for support. Now the pace has drastically come down. Finally @ 5:30PM we were on top of OG! It was a great feeling for all of us, after very challenging climb. We have climbed OG in only 11hours! This was supposed to be a 2 days TOUGH trek in Jungle, but the team made it a single day trek! Its great team effort, helping and motivating each other. 

We could clearly see Deepadakallu & Jenkal betta towards North-East direction and Jeep track (which leads Lakshmi Estate) towards North-West direction. We need to cross a small jungle patch to reach the jeep track. It was getting dark, so we hurried towards jeep track after taking few group photos. We were out of forest patch by 6:30PM and took rest on jeep track. Left (down path) takes to Saraswathi estate (may be around 1.5km) and right (up path) takes to Lakshmi Estate / Bhyrapura / Hosakere. It was already almost dark now, so we started towards Laksmi estate, its about 3hrs downhill (almost) walk on a easy jeep track. Again Naveen M and Rajesh went ahead, me and Abhishek were at the end. He was very slow and needed support to walk as he had pain in legs. It was dark night trek with dense jungle surrounding us. We were lucky to see 2 snakes on the path. It was really a wonderful experience with cold breeze and very silent jungle. First batch reached estate by 9:45PM, we 2 reached late @ 10:30PM.

We are really thankful to Lakshmi estate guys for proving us a room to rest for the night and allowed us to cook in the morning. We called our driver and asked him to come to Hosakere from estate landline as there was no mobile signal in the area. We reached back to Bangalore on Sunday night itself. Credit of this 'Single Day trek to OG' goes to the entire team. Great spirit shown by each and everyone, kudos to them.

Experiences shared;

Sri Harsha:

It was amazing adventurous expedition..! It was a wonderful experience and i will reminisce it for a very very long time..! You guys just rock..!

It was a wonderful team and more than that, it was a wonderfully co-ordinated event. Kudos to Ambareesh, Rajesh and Naveen for taking the baton and making sure we got the sense of an adventure trip as well as exploring new places.

Anitha:

No words to express.....,

Stillllllllll..Awesomeeeeeeeeeee......Inspiringggggggggggg......Adventuroussssssssssss....,

This was my first trek with BASC and definitely the most adventurous trek I love.

The experience was just thrilling, full of  extreme experiences and fun in the pure nature,

away from the civilization for the time period.

Thanks to Ambareesh for giving me an opportunity and being a motivation throughout the trek.

Thanks to every single hand who lent me to move along the trek. Ambareesh was leading the group, Rajesh and Naveen as sweeper making sure that everyone is in front of him and experienced trekkers in between the everyone was motivating me to reach Ombattu Gudda.

and  and and and............. Its the Great team which made it a successful trek.

Sanketh:

My second trek with BASC and a hell a lot of exciting moments this time as well. Thanks Ambareesh for the opportunity and the team as a whole for the wonderful experience. Oorige hogovaaga innodu betta torsi hemmeyinda adanna hattidini anbahudu...  Ha ha...   :-)

Photo Link;

Sri Harsha: Anitha: Sanketh: Rahul

Event Organized by: Ambareesh Karanth
Visit our Group @ CLICK HERE

Join Bangalore ASCENDers @ CLICK HERE
Written by: Ambareesh Karanth

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