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IT’S A TECHIE LIFE

Into the wild

:: Nita Sathyendran

Trekking, it seems, is quite a popu-

lar adventure activity with techies
in Technopark, particularly the
men. Come weekends, many of the
avid trekkers take off for trails less Techies on trekking
travelled in and around the district
and the during trekking season the trails less travelled
several of them even make their
way to that trekker heaven – the Hi-
malayas. Most techies say that they
step out into the wilds in search of
a change of scene.

For a change
“Techie life, for all its excitement,
can be rather mundane. It came to
a point where a change was neces-
sary and that’s when I set out on
the trails. My mind is never more
relaxed than when I am surroun-
ded by nature in the wilds some-
where. Trekking also gives me an
opportunity to explore my interest POPULAR TREKS NEARBY
in photography,” says Mathew Roy, Agasthyarkoodam trek
a senior software developer.
Like many avid trekkers, he has Varayadumotta trek
picked his way up popular trails all Ponmudi-Bison Valley- Off the beaten track (Clockwise
over Kerala – Agasthyarkoodam, Sitatheeram from top left) Vipin K.V. at
Ponmudi-Braemore, Top Station in Agasthyarkoodam, Mathew Roy on
Munnar, Chokramudi in Idukki, Braemore the Roopkund trek, Rijin M.P. in
Wayanad and so on and occasion- Ponmudi, Ranjith Sankar at Zero
ally challenged himself with ardu- Pandipathu in the Peppara Point, Sikkim and (below) Suraj M.B.
ous treks up the Himalayas — Sar wildlife sanctuary at Varayadumotta
Pass in Himachal Pardesh, the Maruthwamala *
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Roopkund trek in the Gharwal Hi-
malayas in Uttarakhand... In fact, Ambanad Hills DOS AND DON’TS
he is just back from a challenging Kurishumala The trekking trio of Mathew, Suraj
trek up to the base camp of Mt. An- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA and Ranjith have some dos and
napurna, known in trekker circles the cheapest options for travelling, treks closer to home. “Using donts for wannabe trekkers...
as ABC trek, along with his buddy cial wherewithal and not too much exploring and learning about the Google maps, I zoom in on places
Ranjith Sankar, a mobile app responsibility. My first trek was up world. I go for treks on govern- of worship in the middle of forests Find out all you can about the
developer. to Top Station in Munnar in 2013 ment-approved trails, which and go for one-day treks. I have destination and the route you
“I too wanted a change from all and I was hooked. Being one with means that it’s easier to navigate discovered so many offbeat places are taking. Understand the risks,
the stress and tension of work life. nature has changed my very ap- with established routes and per- that way. For example, recently I for the margin between
I love trekking because it is relief, proach to life and it has missions,” he explains. walked to the Thiru Kurungudi adventure and foolishness is
relaxation and exhilaration all been a positive influence Information Analyst Rijin temple, deep in the forest, some slim.
rolled into one. With each trek, on me,” says Suraj. M.P., on the other hand, 45 km from Thirunelveli. Usually, Take trekking gear according to
you become a different person, Last month he spent prefers to go forest routes like these are access- place and climate. In Kerala,
having absorbed all that you have 19 days on the on ible without prior permission,” he since rain is unpredictable, it’s
experienced and observed,” says Goechala trek in says. advisable to wrap dry garments
Ranjith. Sikkim, walking in plastic bags inside rucksacks.
The duo believe in the power of up to an altitude of Conquering themselves Additionally, it’s good to buy
three on a trail and so often team 15,100 ft mainly to get a At the end of the day, most techie- quick-drying clothes. Always
up for treks with another techie, spectacular view of trekkers go by mountaineer Ed- carry silicon gel packets in
test engineer Suraj M.B.. “I am Kanchenjunga. mund Hillary famous words: ‘It is camera bags, which will absorb
used to walking during my school Vipin K.V., a software not the mountain we conquer but moisture. Too much gear as well
days. I started trekking when I got developer, meanwhile, ourselves.’ “This is something that as lack of gear is a mistake.
this job, when I finally had finan- trekked up the other aligns perfectly with our own ex- Keep luggage to a minimum.
end of the Himalayas, periences. Many times after walk-
up Hampta Pass that ing for some days, reaching the For treks lasting more than two
connects the Kullu and middle of nowhere, with every days, prepare yourself by doing
Lahaul valleys in Hi- muscle in the body aching, the cardio exercises at least a week
Herd that? machal Pradesh, and is weight of rucksack, and with just ahead.
Varayadumotta in the now planning to go enough energy to take the next Drink enough water in cold
Ponmudi hill ranges on a trek in Darjeel- step, I have wondered why I have environments, for you will
gets its name from the ing. “In the wilder- started in the first place. But on become dehydrated even though
Nilgiri Thar, called ness, your mind be- reaching the dream location, we you don’t sweat. Do not drink
‘varayadu’ in comes as open as forget all our agonies. We become alcohol as it causes dehydration.
Malayalam. The hill is also home the world around confident that we can do even the
to a small herd of Nilgiri Thar. you. Trekking is impossible, if we have the will to Do not litter.
actually one of do so,” says Mathew. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA