भटकंती... (Kas:)

भटकंती... Part 2: Kas Forest, Satara 

After a outstanding trip to 'Malwan', got worried about the new trek menu. probably the last trip of BE and due to summer season we decided to find a place to chill. Finally we got it : The Kas Forest...

after discussing with pnn (Pratap), Body (Vinod) and MegaMind (Dhiraj) and hearing to pnn for long hours about his so called info bout snakes (after cancelling our most of members), We all decided to give it a try...

7 Members were fixed but Sagar (kasai) added as an eighth one...

Pratap (Pnn), Vinod (Pudi/Body), Dhiraj (MegaMind), Abhijeet (Ab's), Vikrant (Vic), Satish (SK), Sagar (Kasai) and Amol (The Cook), that's Me...

Things you'll need to know about:

1. Route to Kas Lake: Islampur- Satara- Kas (110km) Local bus service is available from Satara (Rajwada) to kas for every couple of hour. Private vehicles are also available from Rajwada itself.

2. plenty of water is available everywhere near the kas lake. all you need to have with you is FOOD. you can buy the fruits and whatever you want from Rajwada (Satara). the market is just at the backside of Rajwada Bus stand.

3.  Reach Kas as early as possible (12pm is an ideal time)

4. Don't forget to carry a tent and blankets with you as it's one of the coolest place of district.

  

 We left Islampur at 8:00 am and had a breakfast in Manikandan, Peth. after a long bargaining with the driver, we got a Scorpio to Satara. We reached Satara approx at 10:30am. got an auto from highway to Rajwada. after reaching Rajwada we hurried to buy the food stuff from Market. (including 2 'KOMBDIs') took a local bus to kas which is an approx a hour journey from the amazing ghats of Satara.

Pnn bhau Rutle... ;)

Having a first look at Kas Lake was the pleasant experience after a long journey of more than 100km. As water was very close heat did not affect till reaching our planned base. Whole ride was just pleasure. Whistles added huge fun throughout our hike. Water was so clean that you can almost drink it directly without any worry.  Half an hour walk by the side of lake we reached our base where we put down our lovely tent just few feet away from water.

  
Now it was time for price: The food. We made Masala Rice. The atmosphere was electric. We all forgot our stress and fatigue. We ate rice and had a cup of tea.

After having lunch, at 4pm we collected the wood to light the fire at night. by the time Kasai did his work. Ab's helped a lot in cutting onions and all the stuff.

on a cool and pleasant evening we had some photo session on the backside hills.

Body/Pudy

Vic <'Two Thrones'>

Ab's <'unpredictable'>

Again Body/Pudy

 as kas is surrounded by the seasonal and monsoon forest it gets darker earlier and temperature gets down suddenly. we gather at our base at 5:30pm and started collecting more firewood.

now it was my turn to put myself into... cooking 'Chicken'... it was about 7:30pm but as the earlier sunset we were unable to see anything unless using our torch and candle light. while cooking d chicken we came to know that we lost 'Pali' (large spoon) somewhere at noon. 

We ate chicken and rice for dinner. it was amazing to eat in the jungle. Body did a grt job after dinner.

  
we played cards for half an hour and slept in our lovely tent. sleep was endless for us. 

we woke up early in the morning. by seeing the sun we were delighted. I left the base within no time.
  

After having pohe and a cup of lemon tea we had a lot of fun on trekking on backside hill top. pnn and me went to the topmost point of the hill. the scene of Kas lake from the top was awesome...

 

 After a one day of sweet and cool trekking in kas forest we were about to leave kas after having 'Kokum' sharbat.

Back packing...

 Return journey...

after crossing the lake from east side by walk, we got a local tempo heading to satara and coming Islampur by a truck from satara.

I would like to thank pnn, body, MegaMind, Vic, Ab's, Kasai and 'SK' for this wonderful journey.

Now I sign off... Thank you for patience and do write your suggestions/ comments...

Satha uttarachi kahani pacha uttari suphal sampurna...!


Do call or mail me for any queries.

Regards,
Amol wanave
wanave.amol@gmail.com