Adventures of Venkateswara - Talakona to Settigunta Trek

22  brave souls successfully finished the strenuous trek. The best thing in the trek is the team work and support with each other in all the difficulties. Thanks to one and all in making this trek memorable for the life time .

Day 0:

Reached tin factory pick up point by 10 pm and came to know that the transportation vehicles got struck in the traffic due to the heavy rain in the evening. Which gives me an opportunity to capture the light trails

Day 1:

Reached Talakona by morning 7 am and got the trek permissions. After 15 minutes walk, we reached the water fall base. 
All the people got busy in photography and enjoying the views of the water fall. 
After 15 mins at the base of the water fall, we moved to the bathing point. Where we had a fun and natural massage bath under the water fall. Finished the breakfast and started the the trek again. After a steep climb, we all reached the top of the water fall posed for a group picture and teh followed by an introduction section.

Encountering of wild life

Then we started walking along the jeep track and take right deviation at the junction of the jeep tracks which pointing towards the “Rudraghaal”. After a 3 hours of trek, we took a left deviation and climbed 900 mt peak. We encountered a fully grown porcupine, which just passed 2 mt away from us. Luckily nothing happed.

Surprises of the trek

Here the actual surprises started, We were supposed to get into the valley and again climb the next hill. When making the trail in Google earth, it looks like the stretch can be possible. But after reaching the place it took very less time to understood that it was not possible. 50 mt vertical drop into a gorge filled with water (Through a dry water fall) and again 200 mt vertical climb. We explored further to find out other possibilities, but no chance.

While making the trail Mudhasasar suggested to keep some alternatives to the trail, so that in case of emergency we can use to exit. Luckily Deepakar carried the survey Map of this mountain range. After reading the map, we choose the alternative jeep route to cross the valley and started moving towards it.

Hunt for the lost camera

On the way, we came to know that Nishant lost his expensive Canon DSLR. Few members started  searching for it. I went back and came to know that he left the camera at a place where we took a brake. The grass land looks like similar all the places creating lot of confusion. Here we used the GPS to trail back all along the way which we covered. After 15 mins of search operation we found the camera. Thanks a lot for GPS (Waiting for the party from Nishant).

Finding the jeep trails

Again started the trek and met the jeep trail. After another one hour walk then jeep trail ended. The sun was so harsh on us, water finished and people are hungry. Again search stated for finding out the jeep trail and water resource. 3 people decided to move back to Talakona as they are not confident to make the trek. Other people decided to trek further. After another 2 hours of steep climb,  we finally met a jeep trail.

Finding out water resource and camping place

It was 4 pm, no one had lunch as the water with most of the people was consumed. We are loosing the sun light and we had to find water resource. We climbed a steep hill and get down into the valley, expecting that there will be a water stream. But it was a dry stream. Now the time is 5 pm. People drained out because of the steep climbs, lack of water and not having the lunch. After motivating the team, we crossed another vertical hill and ended in another dry stream.

Sun is above to take rest for the day, lot of worries as we didn't find the water resource and a place for camping. All the participants took the torches ready for the night trek. We again climbed another hill and get down into the other side of the valley. The decent was scary getting down with the help of tree roots and the grass. At last we find a small stream in the valley and shouted like we won a gold medal in Olympics. All the people were happy and started having lunch at 6:30 pm.

Now the time for finding a right camping spot for 22 members. Finally Abhinandhan find a nice place for camping. Its just like a stadium dome on top and semi inclined flat surface on bottom. Three side with rock and one side with water stream. Started camp fire and then preparations for the dinner.

Day 2:

Day 2 started with the steep climbs, crossed all the three hills which we trekked and finally hit the jeep trail. Had break fast and starts heading towards the water fall in the jungle. It was a dry trek all the time crossing the dry water streams. By 1 pm, we find a muddy water stream. To survive in the forest, we need food and water. So, we filled the water from the muddy stream.

After another 1 hour trek we find a shed in the forest, might be it is used by the forest department. Here the jeep trail again vanished, people scattered to find out the jeep trail. Finally Deepankar find the jeep trail and started trek along it.

Finding the lost trekkers

On the way, we waited for a regrouping and noticed half of the trekkers lost the trail (Shiva and team). I went back to the earlier point and keep shouting, “Hello guys…Hello guys”. Loosing in this forest is very danger as it is 25 sq.km range with steep climbs and wild life. Finally we find them after 1/2 hour search, regrouped and started to wards the water fall.

After couple of steep climbs and vertical drops, we reached the water stream by 4 pm. After lunch, few opted to stay at a pool and have fun.

Few others opted to trek further to find the water fall. As soon as we reached the water fall, we find a big size rat snakes mating each other. Initially i screamed and by the time i switch on the camera, they ran away. The water fall looks very beautiful with a pool near its base. We had fun for some time in the falls and then returned back to catch the other team having fun at the pool.

After another 1 hours trek, we need to cross the water stream, formed a human chain and passed the luggage. 

The team work makes the task very easy and crossed the stream with out any problems.

We find a forest watch tower on the other side of the water stream. 

Again search operation started to find the jeep trail, After going through the map, we trekked east side to find the jeep trail. Started moving through dense bamboo bushes and finally we met a jeep trail. The sun down for the day and jeep trail ended after another 1 km. It was pitch dark and we tried to find the jeep trail but unable to make. Finally we decide to trek along the stream.

When we are getting down into the stream, Shilpa lost balance and directly landed on a stone from 10 ft height. Her ankle got twisted and unable to walk.  After another 2 km trek along the stream, we find a flat surface rock island and we decided to camp for the day.

Team spirit

We actually planned for a 2 days trek and asked the participants to get 1 1/2 days food. Due to the terrain and change in the trek route we need to cover a longer distance which leads to third day trek. All food with us finished and all are damm hungry. All the members decide to share the rest of food left with us. Collected the remaining food from all the members and shared the same, just like Prasadam at temples.

The camping spot is a flat surface and we noticed lot of wild animal traces. Collected lot of dry wood and set two camp fires. Vivek PC and Vivek bhat woke up all the night to make sure the camp fires are active and watch out for the wild life.

Day 3

We woke up early in the morning. Deepankar and me gone to find the jeep trail while others getting ready to start for the day. We find a jeep trail 500 mt away from the camping spot.

Arun parthiban got blisters due to the wet shoes. It looks like earth quake in his legs

After another 5 hours of trek, Shilpa’s ankle got twisted twisted again. This time the ankle was swollen and she was unable to walk.

Arun and Abhi assisting her all the way and made a crap bandage from the abhi’s towel.

Still the pain continues and she started walking like a tortoise. So, finally decided to carry her on a stretcher. made the stretcher with wooden bars and a tarpaulin sheet.

The team work can make anything things easy. Finally, we bring her from the top of hill to the base.

 

It was 2 pm, no proper dinner, no proper breakfast, no lunch and water also finished. On the way we find a well with wooden steps, It is like a oyasis in a desert. Happily filled the water and set to go further to find the water reservoir.

 

 

After another 1 hours trek, we find the reservoir. Luckily at the same time some villagers collecting mud from the reservoir. After requesting them, they agreed to carry us to the near by village and finally we reached kodur by 4pm.

 

Finished all the hot vadas, boiled eggs and chicken fry available in granny's small hotel. Next to the hotel there is tamarind tree with lot of Dracula bats.

Sun set at kodur

The sad thing is the transport vehicles left on day2 night and we are supposed to choose the public transport. We set to go for tirupati and booked 22 seats in KSRTC volvo. Vivek PC all the way asking me to take him to a hotel where he can get full meals. After ticket booking’s we went to Hotel Dwaraka and had a great dinner after two days. Finally, we all reached Bangalore on day 4.

Thanks for all the participants for supporting us in making the trek memorable for the life time. Special thanks to Deepankar, who who co-organize the trek with me .

An interesting picture in Tirupati Bus stand

Photo credits : Rafi, Vivek, Nagarjuna, Sreeraj, Arun, Nishanth and team.

Here are the photos from my camerahttps://picasaweb.google.com/rafitiens/AdventuresOfVenkateswaraTalakonaToSettiguntaTrek#

Aero show - Bangalore (13th Jan 2011)

Here are some facts about the strength of our INDIAN AIR FORCE.
The pride of India – Surya Kiran Team

Fighter Air crafts:-
Modern aircrafts are like mobile phones, we can’t say which is best and which is better. All are having some unique capability designed for some specific purpose. Aircrafts are designed and weaponized according to the mission. The 4th generation Requirement of an aircraft is JET engine, Radar (Electro-magnetic sensor), Laser designation pod (Electro-optical sensor) with counter measures (Defensive systems). This aircrafts could be detected by enemy radar. The 5th generation aircrafts are 4th + stealth capability. With stealth capability the chances of detection of the aircraft is negligible. Now some basic comparison parameter of aircraft

1. Weight to thrust ratio if it is more then 1 for an aircraft. That means it can go vertically up like rocket. ( Almost all aircraft have more than 1. EF-2000 is 10, Sukhoi 15). Engine power matters a lot.

Sukhoi Fighter plane – Front view

2. Radar and Laser pod and Electronic warfare suit. More the sensor you have more the aware you were be about situation. (Sukhoi and F-16 has two Electro optic and one Radar, where as other aircraft has only one radar and 1 LDP). F-16 has 16 awareness antennas, so any single tinny missile it can detect fired on it.
3. Number of hard points how many points are there in your aircraft to fit missile and bombs. sukoi has total 17, EF 13, LCA 9, grippen 11/13
4. How sleek and fuel capacity of your aircraft is?? Big aircraft have more fuel and can stay in sky for hours. F-16 sleekest very fast turning but medium size Sukhoi Bigger so much fuel and it is even deadly. Short turning radius than F-16 other lies in this region only. LCA is too having deadly turning radius because of small size and unstable configuration.
5. Design of Aircraft fighter aircraft may be in stable Aerodynamic configuration or unstable Aerodynamic configuration Stable aircraft need not required to bother stay strait in the sky in ideal condition they will be stable, but took and need. More effort to break the stability i.e turning sequence.

Sukhoi Fighter plane – Bottom view

While unstable aircraft always bother to stay straight in sky and for turning its way easy for them. LCA is unstable EF RAFEL these are unstable aircraft there flight control computer is very curtail factor equipment.
Sukhoai, F-16 and F-18 are stable aircrafts but Sukhoi has a leading Edge that it can vector its thrust. All the thrust force is coming out straight back in aircrafts but Sukhoi has tremendous Vectrization of thrust. It can rotate the direction of its Engine nozzle. That’s why it is air superiority stable and unstable both (main reason i like it most). Euro Fighter has some vector thrust this time i came to know when i flew it in there simulator. Sea-harrier aircraft have +/- 90 degree vector thrusting, so it can lift vertically without runway. JSF and F-35 are comes under this category.

Sukhoi Fighter plane – Side view

6. Air Brake On design point of view EF rafle have one small wing called CANARD on its nose that used to work as its tremendous air break for short runway ( Specially designed for Europe to land on 700M long road). The same can find out it in Sukhoi too Also Sukhoi, F-16 and F-18 have tail wing (called horizontal stabilizer) that works as same for these aircrafts. They have separate air breaks which on apply just increase the drag surface area of aircrafts.

LCA, F-16 has 2 just beside engine, F-18 has none but it uses its RUDDER (the vertical fin). As air break Sukhoi have very BIG one just behind pilot seat on main fuse leg you see some photos it used to be open.

Thyphon F-16 fighter plane

7. Roll of Aircrafts (mission) some aircraft are designed mainly for Ground attack some for Air combat. But some can perform any thing

JUGUAR and MIRAG are ground attack aircraft they have very high speed load capability but bigger turning radius. This aircraft may have fewer sensors and more weapons under the Cover of air superiority. (In Kargil MIG-29 gives cover to jaguar aircraft while they were bombing the bunkers and Mig were petrolling). Almost all aircrafts are all mission capable depends upon the fuel and weapon.

Stunt maniacs - Red Bull Planes

More the fuel more deep you can go. Sukhoi , F-18 are major Deep penetrators.
Last but not least, the pilots. Pilots are the real hero’s, whether he is F-16 pilot of Sukhoi or a Mig-21 pilot. The capability of pilot and his physical capability define the performance of an aircraft. One pilot sitting in F-16 afraid of pulling 6 G and one pilot sitting in Mig-27 pulling continuously 6G who is better who survived.

Sukhoi Landing

This was a real story of Iraq war, one Iraqi pilot survived of 3 missiles. But later he ejected because he has no fuel. So, if you leave technical specification and technical capability ultimately the pilots are here who made it to win the war. It is same like one AK-47 also kills and one Double barrel also.

In air combat it start with BVR missiles using radar Aircrafts will start firing (BVR) 30 -50 KM range beyond visual range missiles aircrafts used to have chaff/ flare for evading those missile. By that time they will come some more close they will fire CCM (close combat missiles) 5 -20 Km range on each other. Here chaff (Pilot) works to evade the incoming missile. Then still if both survived they will start using gun. (Called DOG-FIGHT) and who is having sharper turning ability to break (slow down the speed without losing height) and stay in air used to win.

See if some aircraft can stand in air and not losing its height then other aircraft will go forward and the rear aircraft can easily shoot. In dogfight who is behind and bellow used to in the war and the person who is ahead or in top generally used to killed.

Interesting fact is that if aircraft slows down below its limit aircraft will start stalling and it will fell down but Sukhoi is killer in this case, even F-16 and other don’t have that much capability. Sea-harrier is exception here as they can stand in air but cannot move instantly. That's why all aircraft used to show there slow speed pass in every aero show. You might have seen all aircraft used to show how slow they can move (its slow cycle race kind of thing).

Now compare to technology

There are basically two poles in aircraft technology even none can be ignored but the world or industry is divided in two thinking in COLD-WAR Era.

Americans Stream....
American’s believe in better sensor and fighting from far. They believe as soon as you detect or find your foe you kill them by long range missile. Need not to go close to them. That’s why they started developing advanced radar, tracking equipments and concentrated on Electronic warfare system. Their radar’s are best high performance algorithm for weapon is advanced.

Valentines Special

RUSSIAN Stream....
Russian’s believe on their pilot. They do not believe more on sensor, so they are making their aircraft like "Jacky chain". Who just saw an arrow coming towards him and will bend himself in such a way that arrow won’t even touch him. This is called agility how better and fast you can change your direction. Mig-21 has more killing ratio then F-4 (previous version of F-16). It happened during Vietnam War F-4 keep firing missile on their enemy and MIGs escaping finally MIG fired and F-4 can’t escape. (Mig 21 has only 2 missile station and F-4 have 4 missile station). That’s why still MIG 21 is in service and it has clocked the highest figure in any produced aircraft. All Russian aircrafts are agile except few meant for some other mission.

Previously all aircrafts were FLY-BY-GEAR mechanical coupling from cockpit to control surface of aircrafts, now a day’s FLY-BY-WIRE. All 4th generation are 1553B protocol based and 5th generation are following high speed data transmission through fiber optic cable 1776.

EF is somehow implemented optical cable but other aircraft, I don’t know these technology information is secret only Designer/production people knows.

If you ask me to choose 5 aircraft’s, I will choose

1. Sukhoi All in one package. It is so capable that by default it need two pilot to fully operate one Pilot and one Navigator/Armament
2. F-16 Deadly turns, speed and technology.
3. EF/RAFALE Connard and short runway capability.
4. MIG-29 K navy / MIG 21
5 F-18 / jaguaar

At last you should not wonder why I didn’t compared LCA. Above all aircrafts are MIDIUM to HIGH RANGE aircraft (in terms of size and operational range). LCA is small size small range aircraft designed to engaged local target within 300-500 km. (as aircraft requires same amount of fuel to safely return back to Airbase)

So, if I say 300-500 km means actually it can go up to 600-1000 KM in a single refueling in ferry mode. Sukhoi is some 3500 KM.

LCA has all 4th++ generation sensor systems if it was an electronic warfare or technology comparison sure it is comparable. Its limitation was its size and no of stations and range. But it has advantages also less cross section for radar detection and in cost factor 1 LCA is around $20 to 35 million and same 4th generation F-16 is $ 55 million. (Refer The economics times Saturday 15 march 2008) So we will compare LCA only after final production and after operational deployment.

But it is the cheapest and best available aircraft of 4.5th generation can easily replace MIG-21 .

Adventures of Venkateswara- Kodur to Talakona Trek

14 brave souls successfully finished the strenuous and adventurous trek in Venkateswara mountain range. Started from the east of the mountain range at the Kodur and ended at west of the mountain range at Talakona covering a distance of 40+kms (Including the exploration).

Adventurous trek:
We had done 13 hours trek during the Day 1 and 18 hours trek during Day 2, which includes

• Rock climbing
• Bouldering
• Rappelling (With the help of a Nylon rope after sun set)
• Deep pools crossing
• Vertical climb parallel to the water fall

The intro section before the start of the trek to know one and another.


The initial trek along a jeep trail and then a dry stream bed under the harsh sun. This makes us to finish the available water.


No signs of water along the stretch till 2:30 PM, this makes us to worry, after a long stretch of 12 km along the dry stream we finally met the live stream felt very happy and had lunch. The trail was full of big boulders,


The views of the rock formations was awesome...


Wonders of the Nature, The tree on a rock helping with its roots to climb.


After another long stretch we reach the cave pool


Fun at the pool


Again steep climb fully covered with 2 feet grass, took a wrong turn and reached the peak of the hill.. The sun took rest for the day leaving us on the top of the hill with full of grass, which is not the right place for camping. So, we decided to get down using the torches. Here are the real adventures.. Rappelled down the hill using a ordinary nylon rope with the danger of the sliding rocks, luckily no major accidents. Its tooks 4 hours to get down from the hill, So this states how difficult was the decent



Bravo for the team spirit and specially the girls. you proved that there is no difference between men and women. Finally 9:30 PM we reached a flat surface and camped.

During the trek to Ombattu gudda, we were welcomed with lot of viper snakes, But this trail welcomed us with lot of water falls


The human chain in passing the luggage safely to the other end of the 1st pool crossing


Carrying a tripod gives an opportunity to catch the beauties of the trek with slow shutters


Here comes with the most challenging pool crossing. The pool was about 100 mts length and deep with both sides vertical rocks. We had no other option, needs to cross this pool. Using the foam sleeping mat and swimming ring, Depankar and team safely carried all the luggage's and helped the non-swimmers to cross this pool...


The water was too cold, this makes the crossing more difficult.


Hmmm... Its the trek of water falls..




The next challenge is steep climb of 150 mt parallel to the water fall using the roots of the trees. We finally reached the top of the water fall and finished the lunch. posed for the group pic.



The next challenge was passing through a slippery gorge. Luckily my floaters had given me enough grip on the slippery surfaces

After another 1 hours trek we reached another beautiful water fall with a nice pool. Again a vertical climb to reach the top of this water fall.. The view was awesome, remembering the Canyon water pool in "127 Hours" movie.




The sun again down for the second day trek and we needs to cover another 10 km of stretch. Took the torches, filled the water bottles, energized our self with the left food.

Hmmm. Finding out the Jeep trail after the source of the water is difficult and finding it after sun set makes more difficult. Here, we took the support of the GPS based watch. hmmm. GPS shows low battery and we took the reference of it and linked the direction of the trail with the direction of three stars in a straight line in the sky.

Again a vertical grass land climb with full of bushes, traces of elephants and other animals. This increases the curiosity among us.  We keep walking and correcting the direction our path with the star reference. Again crossed couple of streams.

As the mountain range was too big (25 sq. km), the chances of getting last is more. So requested all the participants, to save the water and do not urinate until we find the jeep trail. Finally around 11 PM we find a small foot way and felt very happy, we switched on the GPS and came to know we are away 2.5 km away from the jeep trail. We followed the foot way and finally met the jeep trail around 11:50 PM. After another one hours of walk along the jeep trail we finally reached the top of the Talakona water falls.

Here again a vertical decent from 850 Mt to 500mts. Finally we reached our vehicle at 1:30 AM and started back to Bangalore.


The team posing for a group pic..

Thanks to all the participants for organizing me this trek susses fully. Special thanks to the swimmers Dipankar, Arun Karthik, Bharath, Sri Ranga, Abhilash for helping all the non swimmers during pool crossings.

Thanks to Dipankar and Jinu john for the GPS support. Rajesh P for the transportation vehicle support and Srikanth Gubbala for walkie- talkie support.