Trek to Andhrapradesh highest peak Seethamma Konda

Being a mountaineer I always wanted my daughter to trek and want her to connect with the nature.  After last year Parasnath Trek organised by Durgapur Club which is Jharkhand states highest peak, we decided to scale highest peak of Andhra Pradesh.  Before introducing her to the mighty Himalayas I want to test her calibre and want to check whether she finds interest in the sport or it's just I am forcing my choice on her.  During Pongal holidays we planned this trek.  After spending two days at her grandmother's village during Pongal, we reached Visakhapatnam on 17.01.24 and our train for Araku was at 06:45 hrs.  Boarded Vista Dome train from Visakhapatnam and reached Araku around 11:44 hrs

Had our lunch in an eatery outside the Railway station. 

At 13:15 boarded bus towards Paderu and reached Hukumpeta at 1430hrs.  Praveen our local contact sent an auto for us. Auto took us to his shop where Praveen was waiting for us.  He introduced Chiru our guide and he accompanied us for the trek. Chiru bought  some rason for us and then around 1500hrs we left Hukumpeta  to base Village Olubedda. 

 Around 1600hrs from base Village trek starts. The trail was gradually ascent through village and forest.  Around 1800hrs we reached base camp.  It was almost dark. After keeping our luggage at basecamp we walked towards the viewpoint but clouds and fog made the sunset hardly visible. Wind was chilling so we decided to come down to the tents. 

 We arranged our sacks inside the tent. At 2000hrs our guide arranged a bonfire and we had our dinner in the warmth of that fire.

We slept early as in a few hours we had to start for a summit push.

Day 02

Around 3:30 hrs I woke up and tried to awaken my wife and daughter.  I came out of my tent and asked the guide about our summit push. He said it's too dark and we can start around 0500 hrs. With the speed you all have we can easily make it before sunrise.

He served some milk for us.  Jisha (my daughter) was still sleepy.  Somehow I managed to make her drink that milk served to us.  Around 0530 hrs all three of us with guide left for summit push.  As we were reaching towards the summit, beautiful colors of sunrise on the horizon started to appear on our right side.  We clicked many pictures of sunrise and slowly moved towards the summit.  The watch was ticking 0630hrs when we reached the summit. The GPS device showed 1680 metres. 

Around one and half hours we spent there clicked many pictures and shot many videos for Instagram reels and all. Around 0815hrs we were back in basecamp.

They arranged some breakfast for us, we had it and started descending. While returning our guide Chiru brought us from another route, there were beautiful caves and very very beautiful rock faces perfect and ideal for rock climbing. 

Around 1130 Hrs we were back in the base village.  Our transport was already parked.  When we reached there our guide informed us that there is a medical emergency so the patient and his parents would also come with us.  We all came to Hukumpeta, we were dropped at Praveen Shop owner of Hikoi Adventure.  He is an Everestee with two successful summits from both sides of the mountain. A very kind guy a retired defense person trying to bring awareness among the youth of local villages.  I was really amazed to know about him.  It was a great experience.  This was my daughter's second trek. She performed well.

Looking forward to more treks with her!

Trek to Odisha's highest peak: Deomali Hill

After summiting Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh highest peak, we decided to climb the highest peak of Odisha. Deomali Hill with an altitude of 1673.81m is in Koraput district near Semiliguda town. Highest peak of Eastern Ghats in the state of Odisha.

Day 01 ... 03.11.24

0730hrs we left home with our small sacks. Train was scheduled at 0815hrs but it was 2 hours late. Around 1015hrs train moved from Kharagpur.

We reached Rourkela around 1630hrs, our connecting train for Koraput was at 1800hrs. My cousin from Rourkela came to meet us at Railway station and brought us lunch, which we had as dinner.  As it was already 5 we went outside and had some golgappa chat.  She accompanied us till the train moved.  This train moved at right time.  After getting settled we had early dinner and slept.

Day 2 : 04.11.24

Watch was ticking 0615hrs when we reached Damanjodi.  In another 15 minutes we were supposed to reach Koraput.  From Koraput to Semiliguda is 22km and Damanjodi to Semiliguda is 15km. So we decided to board off. 

After getting fresh we hired an autorickshaw for Semiliguda.  In 40 minutes we were in Semiliguda bus stand. We checked in a hotel near bus stand.  Jisha and Navya took some rest and I went to have and bring breakfast.

Around 1230noon we hired an autorickshaw for Deomali. It's around 40km from Semiliguda.  1245hrs we started and in exact 1 hour 1345hrs we were at the gate of Deomali. 

We took a left turn from Kundli (15km from Semliguda, directions are marked everywhere to deomali). After this, the next left is approx at 32km (from Semliguda). The entrance is roughly 6km from here. The Deomali's final peak is 3km from the entrance.

 There is an entry Ticket for vehicles.  It's a beautiful meadow with a tent stay camp run by the Kothia Village Panchayat and a resort operated by Odisha Tourism.  You can book the rooms online.

We started our trek at 1400hrs.  Our autorickshaw driver was not expecting is to trek to the summit, he thought we will just visit the area and return.  He said if you go there it will be 5-6 hours.  But we ignored him smiled at him and just said that's why we came here - for trekking. 

I asked Navya to stay back if she wants we will return soon.  She denied to stay there and wanted to come with us.  As it may get darker I wanted to go faster. So we asked her to come as much as possible.  Me and Jisha left her and proceeded.  Trail is not that much difficult.  It's very popular amongst the locals.  People come here for picnic and photo shoots.  

We were just few metres short of the summit we saw Navya slowly climbing.  We decided to wait for her but then I realised it's because of Jisha we came here. And she climbed pretty fast so why not complete it with her best timing. 

In 56 minutes we were on the summit. Summit is flat surface where one can easily walk around. Other youngsters were already clicking pictures.  We also clicked many pictures with national flag and our sponsors.

The second best thing after reaching the summit was 360 degree view from top. And the first best thing I saw was Jisha collecting the plastic bottles on the top.  We never discussed this but as soon as we were on the top she started collecting the water bottles littered all over the top. I was happy to see this that she is justifying her name. Her name Jisha means 'respect for nature'.  She started respecting nature at an early age. Small acts can bring big change. Let's see how she grow older.

You can see beautiful Deomali range all around.  The Eco Retreat on meadows looks very beautiful from the top. The trail on the meadow is clearly visible.

After spending half n hour there and clicking many pictures we started descending. In 15 minutes we were at our starting point.  While returning our cab driver stopped near a shop to meet his friend.  We grabbed that opportunity visited the farms.  

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