The name Meesapulimala is derived from the fact that it is formed of eight peaks spread like a 'Moustache'.
When you travel the path which you make by yourself; when you push yourself from your comforts far enough to call it a challenge; in such times even if your body gives up but your mind pushes you to go further and see the myriads of nature at its best. And, you should have then accomplished the beauty of a trek.
The virginity of nature doesn’t lie in the paths taken often; instead one has to strive to see it's beauty in the purest form. Atypical to the obvious weekend plan, I decided to do a trek trip to Meesapulimala, the second highest peak in the Western Ghats of Idukki district on the Indian subcontinent after Anamudi.
The name Meesapulimala is derived from the fact that it is formed of eight peaks spread like a 'Moustache'.
The trek trip was organised by Canopy Nature Academy founded by Sarvanan Chandrasekaran, a wildlife enthusiast and a passionate nature lover.
Started with a early morning buzz from Gandhipuram bus stand we gathered to car pool to get to the base camp near Suryanelli which is around 20 km away from Munnar.
It was certainly long but was a scenic drive to Munnar. As we reached Munnar, the soil of Kerala, I noticed a huge cultural and environmental change, greenery wraps you like a thick blanket and the taste of a typical tea totally alters with a big glass of no masala just strong 'Chayaa'.
The fresh air, the basking sun and the nostalgic smell of the woods put me to deep sleep till I got up to the sounds of bus honks and bustling crowd. We were in Munnar, the place was filled with tourists many were westeners flocking to buy the aromatic oils and spices, Munnar is known for.
We got down for a quick lunch, Kerala style meals and then proceeded to meeting up with rest of the team at Rose Garden.
To my surprise, there were in total 35 people of varied age group, with a kid as young as nine to some men as old as 60 plus.
I really wondered, how the 60 plus would trek? Wouldn’t it be tough for them to climb uphill? After all, it’s not very common to see many fit at that age.
We got ourselves introduced to each other and headed to the base camp, a serene location with absolute no human habitation around. Even the rustling of the leaves was as clear as a child’s cry in the middle of the night.
By the time we reached the base camp it was 4 pm. We were hungry and tired but what got offered to us were just Marie biscuits and black tea, which then felt like heaven.
Amidst the jungle was our base camp with tents along with all basic essentials one would need.
Mr. Saravanan briefed us on the place and asked to be alert to our surroundings, maintain peace in the jungle and most importantly keep it plastic free and clean.
By night, we were all wrapping ourselves around the campfire and sipping some hot soup.
The dinner served was quite simple but the unilluminated ambience made it a 'star-class' cuisine giving an unexplainable experience.
Post dinner, we indeed got to know each other through brief conversations. Many of them were strangers to each other, all from different professions and walks of life gathered to experience the bliss of nature.
Tucked in sleeping bags, in a tent that is surrounded by dense jungle, and all you have is a torch light and a zip to seal your tent which was nothing less than an adventure in itself. I slept dreaming of the morning trek to the mesmerizing Meesapulimala, a 16 km trek from.our camp base.
We woke up to a blissful morning with all zeal to trek the rugged route.
Rigid tracks followed by a few stretches of smooth paths, surprising inclined hikes and pristine rivulets that delight the eyes, and nonetheless pure enough to drink.
Finally, we reached the peak, what a breath-taking view indeed! It was a whole new experience to see the world beneath you while you stand tall at a height. And, much to everyone’s surprise the nine- year-old boy along with the 60 year old, made it first on the peak followed by the rest of us, at intervals. A few minutes at that elevation took away all the tiredness that blocks the mind to see a bucolic view, nature has to offer.
Hiking eight mountains, through four long hours, with strangers who have now become friends; thrusting through the flora fauna you have never seen before and all this to reach the summit of a mountain that puts you amidst flaky white skies and freshness all around where you can hear yourself clearer than crystal, truly made this trek to Mesapulimala,. a mesmerizing one!