Arun called me along for a small trek to Savandurga rock near bangalore. Been to this place many times but never went up the rock. Its a steep climb on the rock face to the summit. Taking the wrong path could get one stuck on the steep rock face not knowing hot to go up or down. Cos if you loose a foot hold there is nothing to break the fall and would roll down all the way. Many have lost their lives here. There is a dilapidated fort up there built by KempeGowda. It was his home for a few years to escape arrest from the british. Due to its steepness Its very difficult to attack from below. The only way to defeat the ppl in the fort was to surround the rock for atleast three months and wait for the people above to run out of food. But the kings had their ways. As for recent stories, this is a fav place for couples and there have been a few murders.

There are basically two rocks Karigudd and Biligudda. We are going only to Biligudda which ppl go. Very few ppl know the route to climb the Karigudda. As its not just a one piece rock, its getting broken down by elements and there are lot of craveses plants growth to go through. All the above info given by the guide Raja who we hired. The way up is pretty simple but we a guide help us out to avoid very steep paths and at some place let us know where to step. Some patches which look very dry are the parts with slip more. Arun is very interested to do this trek and encourages me to come along. Gives me his super flexible and sticky rock climbing shoes, cos i am not much into trekking and was apprehensive about climbing sheer rock face! where as he managed with normal sports shoes which he had quite some tough time! He has also brought us lunch. It had been raining all night and still was drizzling as we started in the morning. Arun tells that even if there is a break of half hour int he rain its possible to climb the rock. Thus went there to see whats the situation. Things looked encouraging as we got there. Called on Raja the guide. Dumped all our riding gear in his house and of we go to the trek.

The savandurga Rocks which is a rocky outcrop in a relativly prain area and is visible from bangalore city.


We met near Big banyan tree and a Plate Idli in the small hotel. Pass the Manchinbelle lake which also has a dam.


Take the interiour forest route to savandurga.


Quite a few balancing rocks around there. There are many rock piles in this area which have been broken down by elements. And the process we get to see these balancing rocks.


Break to take a leak.


Get to the base of Savandurga and park our bikes in front of your guide's house.


A crow point.


The rock we are going to climb. Looks wet from the last nights shower.


Have to go through the fresh monsoon growth.


Our guide Raja waiting for us


The top is still covered in mist.


Paracitic plants.


Small water streams formed by rain water..


And we are on our way..




These dogs belongs to Raja and accompany us all the way.


And me there before the imposing climb...


The dogs lead the way...


Things getting smaller below.


Tree growing on stone platform!


The energitc dogs again...


Time to use hands...


Can see the Manchinbelle lake we rode around...


The body guards...


More steep climb up coming...


Can see more of the lake now...


Cactus grows here too!


Have to climb up this rock face...


we drink the fresh natural water. It was a small stream flowing down going through roots of many plants. We were told its good for health and we give it a try.


The stream has formed a craves over the years and plants grow there...


We pass through more thick growth..




There is only one way up...


The dogs walking bear feet have no problem in grip and walk around cool'ly.




These depressions are carved out to assist horses to climb up...


Take a break from the climb... Thats the super grippy rock climbing shoes.


A breaking rock that looks like an elephant...


Atleast they are being dumped in one place. The whole place was pretty clean...


Arun at the first level of the fort..


But there is lot more climb...


Cactus growing on stone!!


The dog's swimming pool..


There are many of these pools formed on the rock face, guess the acidic rain water melting away softer portions of the rock.


Grassy patches on sheer rock face. Growing on rain water flow. Can easily roll the grass patch and take it to your garden!


Some macros...



Still climbing...


Strange plants in the pools..


A huge pool it has also been dam'ed by the ppl so that king and his ppl living here could store water...


The same green plants floating int he water...


Guys at the palace!


This was the humble retreat where the king Kempegowda stayed for couple of years hiding from the british..


Me and Arun posing for the cam...


But the summit is still some more way up...


Lot of plant life above...


The dog at peace..


More walk through the thick growth...


Macro..


Hanuman carving on the rock and worshiped...


Was a nice place to camp. Not much light and cam is shaky...


One more shelter we pass on the way up...


Look who's hitching a ride on my hand!


The summit Gopuram seems so near but its no so easy to get there...


Have to walk on the edge and hope to to loose grip!




Micro plants growing on the rocks...


Find our way through the craveses..


More wild life...


Walking between fallen boulders...


A steep climb up...


Have to use all the limbs...and hope not to slip...


A monkey who was throwing a tantrum. Guess he felt invasion of his territory...


Finally there after a hour and half of climb...


The Nandi mandap at the top...


The temple below and the lake all look smaller...


The Karigudda which we did not try. Arun had tried here last time and could not find the path to the top after three hours of searching the way!!


One of the body guards taking a power nap.


We sit behind that rock for like an hour enjoying the views around. The weather was perfect, warm shunshine and cool breeze and home cooked lunch that Arun broght along...


The plains around the rock...


The elusive Karigudda rock peak. Very hard to find a way to the top...


We spot steps there! but no idea how to get there. There is a fort perimeter around there too used in the king's times. Hardly any one goes to that peak these days. Its very tough with lot of craveses and vegetation to deal with.


to be continued...