Ghangad and Saltar Dam

Date : 19th April 2009 (Sunday)
Trek to : Ghangad (with Chakram)
District : Pune

Route : Mulund – Lonavala – INS Shivaji – Peth Shahapur – Bhamburde – Ekole (Base Village)

Participants : Ameya Gokahle, Rajan, Vinay Kulkarni, Kavita Joshi, Hemlata, Hrishikesh, Savina, Sukahda, Amruta Pradhan, Sandeep Sawant, Suryakant Mhase, Seema Ketkar, Vinayak Vaidya, Jaymala, Talreja Uncle, Suuresh Ramakrishnan, Sada, Parag Javale, Gargi Sant, Mrs. Sant, Aarohi Atre, Mrs. Atre, Rucha, Ketaki Rahalkar, Sneha Tarlekar and Sayali.
Guide – Lahoo/Deoo

Report : Left Mulund at 6.45 am. Halted at Annapurna Hotel, Lonavala for Breakfast. Reached Ekole around 10.30 am. This journey was complimented with beautiful songs sung by Vinayak & Aarohi. Trek started at 11.00 am. Ghangad is on the west of Ekole. Within 15/20 minutes the group was near Garjai Temple. Another 15 minutes and through ruined fortification we entered the fort. A small rock patch needs to be climbed to reach upper part of the fort. We had necessary equipment for climbing this rock patch. There’s one rusted (still strong) expansion bolt on top of the patch. Seeing that I was hesitant to use just one bolt for anchoring, our guide got an Iron Rod from nowhere. We placed it inside the cave. The rod was bigger than the mouth of the cave and on pulling it; it got stuck inside the cave. All 26 out of our group climbed the patch, came up, saw upper part of the fort and descended the rock patch. Sukhada, Ameya & I were helping all to climb up and down. Till everyone (except 3 of us) descended, it was 4 pm. I was giving belay to everyone for climbing up & down. By sitting on a small ledge which was 10 inches long & barely 3 inches wide for almost 4 hrs, I wished my bum had some extra flesh.

We 3 then went to the upper part of the fort. Half way to the top are 2 caves and one perennial water cistern. Lahoo showed us a cave located to far right of this cave complex. As per him this was an exclusive sightseeing for us which for some reason others didn’t get to see. We came back to the cave complex and climbed up some broken steps to reach the top. All structures on top are in ruins. On south is ruined fortification. On the highest point is only a plinth of a house. On north is remnant of another house with only a small wall still standing. To the west of the fort is Sudhagad & further down is Sarasgad. To North-west is Tel-baila.

We 3 came down and had a quick lunch of Rasgullas- Puris- Paneer Roll-Cheese. The group was back to Ekole at 5.30 pm. We decided to skip Pawna Dam and visit Saltar Dam on the way. At Saltar Dam almost all took a much desired dip. We left the Dam at 7.30 pm and started a riot of dance. Sukhdev (bus driver) had a collection of Marathi Songs which were blasting in the bus. Hits were "Mala lagin karav pahije" and "Khanderayachya lagnala". The star dancer of the night was Gargi’s mother. All enjoyed every bit of her dancing. Also, there were junior dancers like Hrishikesh, Sukhada, Hemlata, Ketkar Madam, Vinayak, Vinay and I who entertained all. Our leader, Ameya was so happy with these performances that he refunded Rs. 30/- of trek fee to everyone. We halted at food mall for Vadapav & tea. We also got an ice cream, thanks to Talreja uncle & Gargi’s mother. The bus reached Mulund at 11 pm and a wonderful trek ended. Everyone was thanking each other for making his/her day most memorable.

Equipment - 2 ropes (50 ft each), 1 rope sling, 2 carabiners. Carrying expansion bolt is recommended.