DUKE’S NOSE!The monsoons had arrived with a bang...so what if it is two weeks late...It was raining continuously for past two weeks and everyday I was reminded of sanjali's comment.. "Looks like after Cherapunji, Pune receives the highest rainfall!!!" Had you experienced the rains for past 2 weeks you would have agreed with the comments too..But it looked like an ideal climate to kickoff the trekking season. (Generally rainy season is considered as the start of trekking season). So we decided to head for Nagphani, popularly also known as Duke’s nose. Duke’s nose is a big cliff, with the shape of hood of KOBRA. If you see it from Express Highway it looks like the nose of human pointing towards sky. It is 3000mtrs from sea level. (It is assumed that the start of trekking activity is done by doing this trek).

Thanks to the many mail forwards of the Duke’s nose snaps, we didn't have to convince many to join us. At the end, we were 60 people.To reach to the Duke’s Nose, there are two routs, one goes from Kuravande, a small village about 4 kms from Lonavla. And other option is from Khandala, little bit adventurous. This route is a bit slippery @ places, But it was real fun... We chose 2nd option. Initial plans were to leave Pune by the 6.11 Sinhgad Express. Omkar and I were on the way to collect idlis we had ordered, but unfortunately fuel tank of my vehicle got empty, so I parked the vehicle back in my society. And ran to catch omkar, who was waiting for me near dip banglow chowk. It was 5:40. We took the auto and caught the way to kothrud, the “autowala” was driving very slowly making my more angry, and uncomfortable ( as u know I drive very “slowly” J). We left from idliwala by 5:56Am .so reaching shivajinagar station was a bit of problem. It was a blessing of god that we could catch the train.We got into the express, some making themselves comfortable on the seats, while some standing / sitting @ the door having a look @ the beauty of nature. After chinchwad we started with our orchestra fundaas and all. Pushkar was collecting the amount (VASULI).

The station where we got down is called Khandala..Its one station after Lonavala. It is a hillstation and now mostly famous because of the song ‘aati kya khandala”. After the breakfast of idli-chutney, "Shivgarjana” and introdection, we started the trek.We crossed the big pipe and caught the way into the jungle. On the same day two other trekking groups Zep and Youth Hostel were on visit to DN. On the way we found a big waterfall climbed it up, and most of us got drenched in the cool waters. we made it a point to splash water on unsuspecting Abhilasha...Reminded me of the school days when we used to make our way home splashing the water all around :).. Our first destination :the dutche’s Nose. The small wild road lead up to the dutche’s Nose. The view of Duke’s Nose from here is awesome. Then after the group snaps and shooting the scene by videocamera, we started to head for duke’s nose. The entire walk was real fun...We reached at the top around 10:45. Down below we see the village and the water logged farms...Its such peaceful out there that we could just sit there all day long. But we had other plans too.. We wandered on plateau. After this long walk everyone was really hungry and so we decided to take our lunch before we start to do other activities.

The food tasted divine in the cold weather. It wasn't raining continuously, but when it rained it was actually pouring…….After lunch break, we gathered near Temple Of Nagphaneshar ( a temple of Lord Shiva). And started with romantic songs. Ajit and Pushkar made the climate more enjoyable with the sound of mouthorgan. There was one more best thing of the trek as Shaeetal Mahajan, a girl who jumped on north pole from 3000 ft (-38 temp), had joined us. She holds the world record of jumping on north pole without practicing. And now she is going to hit another record to jump on south pole.She shared her experienced, really if one has to do the thing he can walk- out through any difficulties. Her devotion, positive thinking taught us lot of things. Hats off to Sheetal.After some time we decided to head back. We took a route which was much shorter. We reached at the Kurvande Village within an hour. Again we stopped near School to have a cup or two of tea. Tanmay, omkar and harshad prepared it fantastic.We left the village and caught the road to Lonavla station.

We had planned to catch the local at 5:20 but all were tired. From then on, our speed was reduced further, We caught the local at6:00 o’clock. The train was full, soon we reached at Malavli station. And train stopped there for one and half hour approx. Train’s engine failed start. After enquiring, we came to know that the train will not move for 1 hour atleast. So we all alighted on the station. It was a really test for all volunteers to show their power of team work. All were busy to settle down the situation. Beforewe arrange the bus to pune, the Local horned, and signled us for getting up in the train, but we left the train as it was impossible to enter into the train. A villager told us that the next local is after 15 mins only. So we decided to catch that. Atlast the local arrived and again with full of songs and fun we smashed one hour journey, and reached at Shivaji nagar at 11:00 approx. It was a bit of luck, and the team spirit to overcome hurdles that had helped us in making our way back. Thus ended yet another adventurous trek.. To tell the truth I was afraid when I reached late at the…...... I am sure all will join the next trek ..as they are experienced with this a trek..specially with Wanderers :)...