A bit of here and there… can’t take a chance with Dhak - Bahiri

Dhak – Bahiri the most heard about from almost every one who loves trekking. The common thing is everyone’s opinion about it… “its risky.. do it ..its fun also but one mistake can call off for life”. After all these saying I was waiting for the chance to visit this place. When Vandana Tai told me that her group is planning to go for Dhak Bahiri I was thrilled and excited to join the group. Though its summer and bad time for dhak –bahiri trek I immediately made my mind to join the unknown group.
For many this might be just another hamlet amidst the Sahyadri range. So it is obviously a place of heavenly bliss with lush greenery and panoramic mountainous terrain. But what makes this just another rocky place so enchanting is its seemingly hazardous, mighty, steep and daunting climb over the Dhak to reach Bahiri. So for the die hard trekkers this is one of the most challenging and a must trek of all that the Sahyadri region abounds in. In my case this trek to the Bahiri was a fearful no doubt yet exhilarating experience which I had never ever had before.
As per the plan I and Abhijeet joined the group of five unknown people called Vishal, Deepti, Dhanaji, Amol and Ankur. We met at Karjat station and with little introduction we headed to Vadap Village. The plan was to start from Vadap and walk though the jungle; night stay at Dhak Bahiri caves (2300ft) and second day climbing of Kalakrai Pinnale (180 ft).
The walk from village vadap was very hectic and sun was becoming hotter and hotter. Our bags were loaded with luggage like grocery, water, harnesses, ropes, utensils etc. Vishal was carrying the heaviest bag and was tried also. Dhana and Amol were exchanging the bags in between. Deepti was independently finding her ways through jungle. Me, Abhijeet, Ankoor and Vandu Tai were trying to beat the heat. The experience was amazing. There were loads of wild berry bushes and we had the stomach full of it. The landscape here was undulating with thick foliage all around. Then the trail through the forest was rocky, had high up slopes and subsequent descents. Soon we were walking through the meandering trail underneath a thick canopy of dense forests. This is a picturesque place with nature at its best and also as showed on Discovery channels. Through some corners of the way we could see the Dhak Mountain which was our destination. It looked majestic.
Vishal was leading the trek. We walked past the board that indicates the way to Dhak. There’s a small track on the right too and this goes to Bhimashankar. There was a steep climb ahead; treacherous because of the loose type of rocky soil that got away. Getting a proper foot grip was very difficult. We reached a flatspace above. From here one had to trek though a steep descending crevice in between the Dhak on the right and another jutting rocky structure ‘Kalkarai’ on the left. The view of the mountainous surroundings was breathtaking. The distant saffron flags high above indicated our destination, the Bahiri cave. This was the base of the mountain where we were standing and the task ahead was difficult. My heart missed a beat. Frankly I was scared. I realized how precious life was to me. It was a long walk; we reached at lower cave at 7.00 pm.

Vishal took the decision to stop at the lower cave as we couldn’t able to reach Bahiri cave before it could get pitch dark. It was really a tiring day. We cooked our delicious Rice- potato khichadi and enjoyed the every bit of it.
The next day was a very refreshing after a nice sleep at the edge of vally under the open sky. Dhanaji and Amol slept in the cave and took care of our bags. Vandana Tai made a tea for all of us. Vishal, Dhana, Amol and deepti were gearing up for the Kalakrai pinnacle which is above the bhairy cave and near Dhak fort. And me, abhijeet, ankur and Vandana were watching them with curiosity. Vandana Tai was giving them tips and was also helped them in packaging. They started for Kalakrai at 8.00 am and reached down at 1.00 pm. The climb seems to be a small but we were holding our breath to see the every step of theirs. When they reached at the top we were as happy as them. The summit was done successfully. The plan was delayed by 2 hrs.
Then we went to Bahiri caves. They were harnessing me and I was enjoying it. The experience of Bahiri rock patch climb was overwhelming. I really agree at this point of time that one mistake and its call off for life. There were monkeys also to add tension to your concentration.
Now one had to trek along a narrow pathway rather a narrow footway with the rocky mountain on its right and a deep gorge down 500 ft below on the left. So this demands a few things from the trekker. First of all loads of confidence and desire to reach the top. Any minor wrong footing on the track, which is the rocky surface of the mountain itself, might take one sweeping deep down upto 500 ft below and this might be one’s end.
At some stretches of the mountain, the foot ground is inclined rather than flat. It is the power of your hand grip in the rocky surface that basically supports you. So you have to tread on carefully facing the rock and your back against the open deep gorge below. This is where the real challenge lies in. However there are some places with larger foot space also, in between the base and the top so that you can take rest for a while if you wish to. If the trekker gets panicky then it’s an impossible task. All you ought to be is extremely courageous and sporty. No can do this bare foot. Only expert climbers can take a chance to climb the same without any safety.
For me this was the first attempt. So the first person from our group was Vishal as he had a good climbing experience then it was Me then Vandu tai then ankoor, abhijeet and Amol.
But you cannot expect to get any kind of support except for the verbal help as no body can afford to help others in such a tricky situation. That’s y expert trainers and harnesses were needed for first timers.
Just before reaching the cave there are some permanent ropes and branches tied on for the trekkers to take support of. But this is just fifteen feet before the final climb. It is practically impossible to reach the cave without holding onto these ropes and branches. The elevation here is infact more than 90 degrees. It seems as if the rocky surface is protruding outside. The entire climb from the base to the cave takes around 45 minutes. It is 45 minutes of sheer concentration. You cannot afford to loose that even for a second.
So finally I reached the Bahiri. It is a large space that can accommodate upto 200 people. There is a stony structure dedicated to the Lord Bairoba. Even animal sacrifice as a ritual is carried out here by some devotees. The view of the Sahyadri from the cave is awesome. It is magnificent. It is beyond description.
We relaxed on the rocky corners of the cave. Coming down the highly steeped slopes was another daring act especially with your back against the deep gorge down below. It was a really scary moment. After a formidable task finally we reached the base of the mountain. We all breathed a sigh of relief. I felt dead on my feet.
Slowly we tramped down the pathway through the dense foliage. Support and encouragement is necessary for arduous tasks. And I indeed admitted that Vishal and group is amazing.
We started our return journey at 4.00 pm on the same way. We reached at Dhak Gaon at 8.00 pm and decided to stay in temple as it will be risky to travel at that point of time in night. So we stayed back. Dhana was keen to move as he was expecting some guest to come but then agreed with others. So instead of one night our actual trek had become 2 night and 3 days and we enjoyed every bit of it. We cooked food with what ever left over’s we had with previous day.
By all means one should do the dhak bahiri trek, because it's a beautiful climb, and the views are intense, both during camping and while walking. The rock climb terrain alone is worth it. And no Sahyadri trekker is ever complete without Dhak-Bhairi.
But more than anything else, the utmost precaution needed is while negotiating the rock patch. A bit of here and there, and you could be down in the valley. However, you take enough care and you will enjoy this thrill......cent percent!
For me really it was one of the good treks cum climbing experience.