In this year’s post-Christmas glow, add in the sparkle of adventure on the biggest rock face in Maharashtra.
Wide Aware announces a three day high adventure experience to charge your spirit – valley crossing and rappelling on the tallest rock face in Maharashtra – the Kokankada.
Yep, you got that right. This is the tallest rock face in Maharashtra – a breathtaking exposure of 1800ft under your fragile body held to safety by a rope and altitude of 4671ft above sea level. You do a 1200ft long valley crossing and then descend by means of a series of rappels to the base of the face. Believe me, you don’t want to miss this. Seats limited, so get in touch with Raka immediately if you are planning on coming – 09869433342.
The schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Kalyan to Khireshwar by tempo and trek to the top of Harishchandragad
Assemble at Kalyan and reach Khireshwar for lunch. Begin the 4-5 hour trek to the top of Harishchandragad and reach at the top of the fort by the evening tea. Harishchandragad is one of the more challenging of the most popular hikes in this region. The fort has historical significance and a temple of Harishchandreshwar with a stone water tank in front of it. Accommodation is in caves. A short orientation walk later, settle into your cave for the day, and have an early night post dinner in preparation for the next days excitement.
Day 2: Valley Crossing across the Kokankada and Rappelling down from Bhavanidhar
After an early morning and breakfast we have a quick instruction session with the equipment and techniques explained for both the long and technical activities to follow. This is followed by the traverse. Kokankada is in a C shape, and the traverse is set across its two ends. Thus, during the valley crossing, you have the highest exposure possible in Maharashtra, without actually flying. The wind, the sheer scale of the surroundings, and most of all, the swaying rope holding our life safe present an unforgettable physical and emotional challenge. This is followed by a long rappel down the rock face – so long that you have to do it in stages to be able to maintain technique and safety. This day is an experience in the insignificance of man in front of a mountain, as well as the determination in man that makes him conquer one. We spend the night under the sky at the base of the Kokankada.
Day3: Trek back to road head and return to Mumbai
Wake up to nature, and hike for an hour or two back to the road head. From here, the tempo will take us back to Kalyan. Expect to be back by evening.
Dates: Three day batches starting everyday from the 25th to 27th December 2010
Minimum Age: 15 years.
Charges: Rs. 3,5
00/- per head (inclusive of travel – Kalyan to Kalyan, stay and food, adventure activities – equipment, instruction and safety support).
Booking procedure: Call/SMS RAKA on 09869433342 or VIDYUT on 09892469127.This will reserve your seat for 2 days till you complete your payment. Registration will be confirmed only after complete payment and we are not responsible for any availability problems in case of delayed payments.
Payment information:
Choose whatever option is the most convenient.
- Courier a cheque (payable in Mumbai) made out in the name of “Wide Aware” (Address: A32/501 Yogi Park, Yogi Nagar, Borivali West, Mumbai 400091)
- Deposit cheque into our HDFC Account (Name: Wide Aware, HDFC Bank, Current account no: 02278310000028, Branch: Nehru Road, Vile Parle East)
Please do not deposit cash into the account without first speaking with us. Please inform Raka whenever you initiate payment – whether it is a cheque sent by courier or depositing a cheque into the account. This email needs to clarify the mode of payment, amount and participant names, ages and total number of participants.
Registrations strictly on first come first serve basis, as the batch size is limited.
January 29, 2011
by Vidyut
1 Comment
Phililippe Ribiere – challenge the challenge
Allied-Petzl is organizing a unique event to prove the words “everything is possible”. Philippe who is one of the best climbers in his category, being physically challenged yet passionate about climbing, with a positive attitude towards life, shows us how his quest to challenge his abilities proved that everything is possible.
The event will comprise of a presentation by philippe of his life journey and his passion for climbing along with a climbing session on the artificial wall.
Make sure you don’t miss this special event.
ALLIED – PETZL TEAM
Free entry for all visitors
Date: 01 Feb 2011, Timing : 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Venue: Arun Samant Climbing Wall, Nadadeep Highschool, Jaiprakash Nagar, Road No.4, Walkable distance from Goragaon stn, Goragaon (East), Mumbai.
For more details kindly call us:
Ram Vengurlekar: 9930992329 / Kishor Chavan: 09930992328
See you there!
December 9, 2010
by Vidyut
0 comments
Better planning of outdoor programmes
Was just looking at the programmes from this year and the ones being planned in the future. I realize that we have a lot of stuff that is seasonal. Has it snowed at the Rohtang Pass, or is the pass open, is it raining for the waterfall rappelling to be successful? Weather seems to be a large and neglected part of our planning, and I am wondering if there is something more that I can do.
I am currently considering a service that provides live weather satellite images to check for any critical weather information that we can use prior to the actual trips. For example, last year, we had to postpone the Kokankada rappelling because of rain. Another application that comes to mind is checking to see if we need to provide any additional instructions to participants.
Don’t know what direction this will take our planning in, but obviously, whether it works out or not, you guys will find out 
October 16, 2010
by Vidyut
2 Comments
Free style excursion to Lohagad Fort
Wide Aware has organized an “agenda free” trip to the Lohagad fort. This comes after some conversations on earlier programmes where participants wished they had more free time to “chill out” or do other things and generally enjoy the locations.
We have some really old photos of Lohagad from an ancient camera, and Raka was raring to have a go at it with his new digital SLR and thought to make a outing of it.
This trip to Lohagad has been announced for the 13th and 14th of November 2010.
Lohagad is a historic fort near Lonavala with interesting fortifications and a dramatic landscape. The beautiful setting is nicely supported with a cave for us to stay in. The idea is that we will be going on the fort and staying there doing what ever we want. Photography, nature observation, studying the architecture, sketching or painting, interacting with the locals, or just finding a nice shady spot and reading a book or having a nap. There are no activities planned. Do what you like. We will provide you with the organization.
Food will be arranged in a local restaurant (if it can be called that) at the base of the fort, but we can carry along some supplies to keep tea happening through the day.
We will be staying in a cave, and you will have to get bedsheets for yourself.
Suitable for art and photography enthusiasts, history buffs, nature lovers and whoever would like to have a weekend out of civilization, but doesn’t want to “do” anything.
Age is no restriction, but children below 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Difficulty level: Easy
Fees: Rs.1900/- for those who register in October. Rs.2000/- for those registering in November.
September 9, 2010
by Vidyut
0 comments
Monsoon outing with J P Morgan
Here are some videos from a monsoon outing with a trek to Kondana caves and waterfall rappelling.
You can see the photos here http://www.wide-aware.com/photos/index.php/adventure/Waterfall-Rappelling/J-P-Morgan
General timepass in the water
Climbing through the grassy trail.
Coming up…..
All in all, a fun day. And it didn’t rain, which Pradnya said was good. “We were able to enjoy better. If it had rained, it would have been more trouble to climb”.
And now, people predict that monsoon withdrawal is likely to get delayed. What next? Watch this space.
August 25, 2010
by Vidyut
0 comments
More exciting waterfall rappelling
Yogesh Nalawade, a participant on the waterfall rappelling that happened on the 22nd August has uploaded his photographs from the trip on his facebook profile.
A small, fun group. See the pics http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23318&id=100000601598554&ref=mf
You can see Hemant and Yatin (from our Konkankada and Jivdhan adventures)
Hemant often works as an instructor with us, while Yatin is Raka’s friend and likes to join all our crazy outings.
July 28, 2010
by Vidyut
0 comments
Self-image, imagination and finding out
I got an email from a friend today. She is doing well in work, has friends, and is alone. I see this happen more and more in a world that is increasingly isolated and interpersonal skills are a lower priority than evaluation.
Her words “I think all their friendliness is fake. I know I’m not all that good. So why are they all pretending to like me so much?” echo so many voices in and around us.
We have learned to evaluate ourselves and aim for perfection till our shortcomings are what fill our awareness and self-esteem. Truth is, why would anyone go through an effort to pretend to like someone who doesn’t directly create any profit for them?
It is this skewed image of ourselves that leads us to evaluate whether we ‘deserve’ what we get. It prevents us from enjoying what is, because we fear that it will not last and we would not like to get used to it and be hurt when it goes away. The reverse is true as well. Our image can tell us the we deserve more than we are getting and keep us discontented.
It helps to accept that like there is no way anyone can force us to feel something we don’t, there is no way that another’s feelings are our doing. Deserving is inapplicable.
Then, its time to go hunting for lost bits of ourself. Sure, you have many shortcomings. Is that the sum total of you?
Exercise:
Imagine that there is one person who admires you and you ask them what it is they like about you. Don’t evaluate the validity, just write down every word this imaginary person says. You don’t have to deserve it. It may be your looks. It may be that you have a great car. Or it may be that you have a fantastic sense of joy. Whatever it is. Write it down.
Then read it aloud. When did you appreciate yourself last? Not bragging, not presenting admirable qualities. Simply appreciating what you are – whether it is useful or not. Whether successful or not. Perhaps all that admiration you get sees these things. Its not fake. What’s fake is your belief that people need to admire only certain things about you that YOU have decided as worthy of admiration. People do what they will.
June 27, 2010
by Vidyut
1 Comment
Waterfall Rappelling at Mahuli Fort
Update: Registrations closed.
Wide Aware has organized a series of simple hike and waterfall rappelling (canyoning) outings to Mahuli Fort, Asangaon.
Participation is open for teenagers and above in age, right up to your fifties. Please note that while there is nothing difficult, there is a fair amount of walking and physical exertion involved, and discuss any fitness and health concerns with Raka before confirming your participation.
Dates announced so far are 4th July, 18th July, 1st August and 15th August 2010. Batches Full. Continue Reading →
June 25, 2010
by Vidyut
11 Comments
Monsoon Hike and Waterfall Rappelling to Kondana Caves
Update: Only two batches on the 1st and 8th Aug 2010 are now open for registration. Registration on a strictly first come first serve basis. If you plan to attend, please contact us.
Waterfall rappelling (abseiling) outings to Kondana Caves this monsoon – not to be mistaken with Kondana fort, which is another place altogether. Waterfall rappelling or waterfall abseiling near Mumbai is catchy. Last year, we sold batches out. This year, we have planned more! Continue Reading →
June 18, 2010
by Vidyut
0 comments
Girimitra Sammelan 2010
The Girimitra Sammelan for 2010 has been announced by the Maharashtra Seva Sangh Mulund for July 10th and 11th 2010.
For those who don’t know, the Girimitra Samelan is an annual gathering of mountaineers and an important point for the give and take of new information, having access to experienced mountaineers, learning new techniques and recommendations being made and watching photos, slideshows and films related with mountaineering. Definitely not to be missed.
Every year there are competitions for films and photographs related with the outdoors which result in a rich array of knowledge and pleasure for the visitor, and appreciation, recognition if you are contributing. Hey, you may even win, and get that little extra support toward sustaining your passion.
Seats usually sell out waaaaay before the dates, so if you want to attend, be sure and make your registrations well in advance. If you are not from Mumbai, they do offer support for accommodation, so be sure to inquire.
I am attaching their brochure below. It is in Marathi and English, so if you don’t understand Marathi, don’t lose hope, the English will follow. Keep scrolling.
Please note that we are simply spreading information about this event and are in no way involved in its organization and management, so make your inquiries directly, as asking us will simply mean that we tell you to ask them.