Grand success

Thank you trekkers! We have finally made it. The trip to Chathuragiri was really fantastic and is hard to explain in words... post your post-trip thoughts as comments to this post.

The trip:
Nov 14
2050 Depart MS in 2661 Podhigai to SVPR
Nov 15
0715 Arrive SVPR, take auto to Thaaniparai
0800 Pack breakfast at Krishnan Kovil
0900 Arrive Thaaniparai - Bath / Breakfast
1000 Start trek
1500 Finish trek at Santhana Mahalingam temple
1600 Lunch (Annadanam scheme)
1745 Poojai at Santhana Mahalingam temple
1830 Tea
1900 Off to sleep
Nov 16
0600 Got up - Morning duties
0630 Darshan at Sundara Mahalingam temple
0745 Start trek descent
0845 Bath / breakfast at Gorakkar cave
0930 Resume trek
1030 Reach adivaram - Thaaniparai
1045 Auto to SVPR
1130 Sevai at Vadabadhrasayee temple, Andal temple
1330 Arrive SVPR station
1340 Catch passenger to SVKS
1400 Arrive SVKS, Lunch
1515 Depart SVKS for TTL
1535 Arrive TTL - Wait at temple entrance
1630 Sevai at TTL Nindra Narayana Perumal temple
1745 Depart from temple
1800 Arrive TTL station, board passenger to MDU
1920 Arrive MDU - catch auto to Koodalazhagar temple
2000 Murugan Idly shop - pack idlies for supper and have Jigirtanda
2030 Arrive junction
2045 Catch 2638 Pandiyan to MS
Nov 17
0530 On time arrival at MBM
0610 Arrive home

FAQs

Post your questions as comments for this post. I will answer them...

Reporting time

At SP - 1940
At MS - 2025
At TBM - 2105

Please adhere to the time specified to make our journey tension free, no reminder calls or SMSs will be provided :)

Time, tide and trains wait for no one, unless you are the RM or MoSR!

Drop outs

1. Varada has opted out fully due to health reasons.
2. Harish has opted out partially - He will come with the group to MDU and then roam around MDU and will be back the next day morning to MS.

Updates - 11/14

1. Trip updates:
Pick-up in 2 autos from SVPR at 0730. Tiffin on the way at Watrap. Thaaniparai at 0830. Bath on the way in a scenic waterfall. Lunch and Dinner at Chathuragiri. Guide will stay with us overnight.

Sunday morning 0500 start descent - bath on the way in the same waterfall, Thaaniparai at 0900 - SVPR reach at 1000, same autos. Depart SVPR at 1030, reach TTL at 1130. Depart TTL at 1400 in 788 Pass. to MDU, after lunch.

MDU at 1630. Groups can decide on action plan upto 2030. Board 2638 Pandiyan and back home.

2. For the benefit of eyes of fellow travellers!! (Kannu noLLaiyaagaama irukka!!) Two additional towels / thundu / swim wear for the waist is recommended during the bath in the waterfall, unless you prefer to settle down with your inner wear. One additional garment should be enough if it can tumble dry overnight - or can be spread over the bag to dry in sun - on the way!

3. The weather is pleasant, although sun scorches the skin during noon.

Coach

The coach is S10, 5th from Loco.

Madurai - 4 hours

What have you planned for the 4 hrs in Madurai on sunday?

Aravind, Nishanth will be travelling to 2 Devara kovils.

How about you?

Updates - 11/9

1. Two autos have been booked for travelling direct from SVPR station to Thaaniparai. In the return direction, the same bunch will drop us at TTL.

2. This means, we will skip the visit to Andal kovil at SVPR.

3. It is not raining there, but is very cold. Bedsheets recommended. Also, it is equally hot and sunny in the afternoons, demanding us to advance our climb by atleast 4 hours.

4. Food and accommodation at hill-top have been arranged.

5. Arranged a guide who will accompany us on saturday and sunday. He may also carry luggage upto 25 kgs.

6. KK and Ram Karthik have got their Tatkal tickets for onward journey [So we may be least bothered on how they return!! :) ]

Checklist - Feel free to add more

Here we go:

Torch
Blanket / Shawl / Muffler
Cosmetics
Umbrella / Raincoat
Shoes
Medicine
Dress
Plastic cover
Cell charger
Camera
Extra battery
Camera charger
Memory card
Train ticket
Air-pillow
Change in coins / small denomination notes
Cap
Biscuit packets / Savouries
Glucon - D / Energy drink packs

Minutes - 11/8

Minutes of the pre-trip meeting:

1. All trekkers have agreed to abide by the rules and regulations framed by the trip organizer, from time to time.

2. Exhaustive checklist prepared. Inputs can be added as comments - google ID required.

3. Aravind to post on trip details fro SVPR

4. Initial funding received.

5. Ground rules agreed.

Preparatory meet

The initial meet of trekkers will take place on Nov. 8, 2008 at Saidapet (Aravind's house). Trekkers are requested to come up with ideas and suggestions. Also, you need to pour in Rs. 1500 as initial funding for the trip. The meet is between 1900 and 1930 hrs. Any questions on this meet? SMS me... Aravi.

2661

Note that the scheduled departure of 2661 Pothigai Express from Egmore is revised w.e.f Nov. 1, 2008 from 2000 hrs to 2050 hrs.

Participants intro

Anand (Aani) - works in automobile sector. Likes cricket, movies and chat.
Prabhu (Jilaan) - works in IT sector. Likes cricket, WAG-7 loco in tiger livery, temples and new films.
Senthil (Kutti) - works in ITES sector. Likes cricket, films anc chat.
Aravind (Aravi / Ara) - works in automobile sector. Likes temples, trains, travel and books.
Varadarajan (Varada) - works in ITES sector. Likes fashion, movies and chat.
Ramesh (15532) - works in IT sector. Likes photography, trains and his native place, Musiri.
Harish Kumar (HK) - works in IT sector. Likes photography, trains and trekking.
Ram Karthik (RK) - a research scholar in IIT-M. Likes murals, temples and trains.
Sivaramakrishnan (Nishanth) - works in Engg sector. Likes travel, buses, trains, heritage and temples.