YogiWrites

March 2021 took me on an unforgettable solo trek up Vellangiri Hills, filled with challenges, unexpected encounters, and a night under the stars. Read on for adventure, camaraderie, and a touch of wild chaos.

A Backpack, a Mountain, and Zero Clue – The Perfect Combo

March 2021 brought about a not-so-planned adventure—an uphill battle with the mighty Vellangiri Mountain. If you thought climbing a mountain was hard, try doing it with a backpack stuffed with bed sheets, pillows, and everything short of a kitchen sink. (Blame it on travel restrictions; I had to carry my comfort!)

The plan was simple—or so I thought. On March 18th, I set out for a solo trek, craving a peaceful night under the stars. But fate had other plans. The trek started at Poondi Temple, but before I could bask in my solitude, the forest guards intervened. “Beware of elephants,” they warned, because apparently, these massive creatures have a habit of appearing uninvited. They strongly suggested taking a rickshaw to the temple. Sixty rupees later, I was there, facing a sea of people gearing up for the climb.

The Climb Begins: A Test of Endurance & Sanity

Behind the temple lay the trail to Vellangiri Hills, often called the Kailash of the South. The ascent? Grueling. The path? Unforgiving. My determination? Questionable. And then, just as I was settling into my rhythm, chaos erupted.

“Anna, Run! The Elephant is Coming!”

As I climbed the second hill, a group of guys ran toward me, yelling something I couldn’t decipher. A few seconds later, three kids in their twenties rushed over with urgent faces. “Anna, run fast, the elephant is coming!” Now, I may not understand their language, but that message was crystal clear. We ran like our lives depended on it (which, let’s be honest, they did).

Reaching the third hill, the panic subsided. These three young trekkers decided to tag along, bombarding me with questions—“Why are you traveling alone? Where are you from?” and the classic “How old are you?” I was in my forties; they were in their twenties. Keeping up with them was its own cardio workout.

Night on the Mountain: Fire, Frost & Friendships

By the time we hit the fifth hill, exhaustion set in. My companions suggested we rest, sleep, and resume at 5 AM. They unpacked their tiffins, offering food, but I declined—it was too late for a feast. Wrapping a bed sheet over a piece of paper (yes, I was that prepared), I attempted to sleep. Meanwhile, they huddled behind a rock, barely covered from the freezing wind.

Around midnight, the weather flipped. The paper beneath me was wet. The wind was merciless. The three kids shivered in their sleep. Fire was the only solution—but we had no lighter. Enter two strangers, walking towards us, looking for warmth. “Do you have a lighter?” I asked, fingers crossed. One did. Game on.

Like cavemen discovering fire, we gathered dry wood, lit up a bonfire, and huddled around its warmth. None of us slept. Instead, six strangers sat together, bound by the mountain’s chill and an unspoken camaraderie.

The Final Stretch: Reaching Kailash of the South

At 5 AM, we resumed our journey. Before leaving, we reminded the others to extinguish the fire—because leaving flames in a jungle is never a good idea. They nodded in agreement, and we marched on.

The altitude weighed me down. My heavy backpack, once a symbol of preparedness, now felt like a cruel joke. Yet, the sight of fellow trekkers kept me going. Step by step, we reached the Shiva Temple at the peak. At that moment, fatigue vanished. Pain dissolved. Standing above the clouds, with the wind roaring past us, it felt like touching heaven itself.

The view? Breathtaking. Mountains stretched beneath us, painted in hues of green and blue. It wasn’t just a trek—it was a pilgrimage, a surreal dance between nature and the spirit.

The Descent: Because What Goes Up…

The return journey was its own beast, but that’s a tale for another time. Let’s just say, climbing up is hard—but climbing down with sore legs and an exhausted soul? Even harder.

Yet, this trip wasn’t just about the mountains. It was about connections. I stayed in touch with those three young trekkers—our bond continued through messages and occasional meetups.

And as if fate wasn’t done playing its games, on my way back from Coimbatore, I ran into Rishab and Sanjhana, two new acquaintances who turned into travel companions. A random train ride soon became an echo of laughter, conversations, and unexpected friendships.

More Than a Trek: A Chapter in My Journey

Over the past four years, life has thrown unexpected twists my way—from new friendships to unplanned adventures, from spiritual quests to accidental meetups. People like Bhavook, Rishab, and Sanjhana have remained part of my journey.

Bhavook even had big plans for a Kedarnath trip together—except, when I finally went, he disappeared like a subplot that never got resolved. Classic.

But that’s life, isn’t it? A series of moments, connections, and untold stories that weave together, making every adventure worth remembering.

Join Me for More Travel Tales!

The Vellangiri trek was just one chapter. Stay tuned as I unfold more travel stories, spiritual journeys, and unexpected friendships that have shaped who I am today.