Kalsubai Peak Last Updated: March 26, 2022

In my childhood, weekends were spent wandering around to places near by to Mumbai.

We frequently went to what I would now describe as the ‘Lake district of Mumbai’ – Lakes Vihar and Pawai, and Tansa. We also visited Ghodbunder, Vasai fort, Marve beach, Manori, etc.

During school holidays we went a little further like Matheran, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, etc. Also places like Bordi & Mount Abu in Gujarat. I can count my school years based on these holidays. The farthest he sent us was to Kashmir and Kausani on rough and tumble trips.

Kalsubai Peak in Sahyadri Mountins.

A small adventure I recollect is climbing ‘Kalsubai ’ near Bhandardhara or Wilson dam, the highest peak in the Sahyadri range in Maharashtra.

This hill is located near lake Bhandardhara – on way to Nashik near Igatpuri.

From our accommodation, at Wilson dam, we decided to go to this hill.

We reached there by car. My parents decided to stay in the car, but they encouraged us to try climbing. We saw local people climbing this hill. I and my sister and along with an elderly family friend who was wearing a traditional sari decided to try. We started climbing without knowing what problems we may face. No Bisleri bottles in our hands and no food. Along with us were some local kids going up for fun. At one point we had to cross from one rock to another rock holding onto chains. What now they call rock climbing, our first experience in rock climbing. On the top of the hill, there is a big lava rock with a temple built on it. That was a difficult climb and we even did not attempt it.

Interestingly this has now become a popular destination for trekkers. Recently I read in a newspaper that a young couple that met as tracking companions decided to hold their marriage ceremony on this peak. With great difficulty, they found a Brahmin who was ready to climb and conduct the ceremony at this spot. What a wonderful idea – they celebrated with their other climber friends.