Camping at Chembra - Trek Notes
Clicked in November 2005 / Chembra Trek (*album) / the team - Vasu, Sudu, Venky & Satz
Once the jeep arrived we headed to our lodge, picked up our bags, settled the bill and took off. In a short while we passed Meppady and then entered the estate after paying the toll at the gate. We could see the watch tower around 100 m away… This is where our trek would begin. Unfortunately the forest guard was not around and had left to the hospital due to an injured leg. We decided to go on and meet him on our return. Armed with walkie-talkies we began; The climb was steep and our climbers were exhausted in under 10 min. Vasu started downing his Red Bull, and slowly we pushed on with our camera packs dangling.
Taking pictures at every opportunity, we met and took frequent breaks as the days hike was a small one. An excited Satz hit the ground looking for critters with macro written all over his eyes. Every insect that made its presence known became the next victim. The guide and I reached the heart shaped lake first and we scouted around for a campsite. I started cleaning the place to set up camp and the guide went about collecting wood. Venky hit top right behind us and helped out. Eventually everyone reached the rocky surface near the lake and we set up the tent. Then we realized that one of the radio units was missing. Sudu (accompanied by the guide) volunteered to go find it and ran down the route, managing to locate and retrieve it.
Camping was the best experience here. We explored the areas around the lake and found many interesting view points where we eagerly spent time with our cameras. It drizzled a little, but luckily we were all armed with ponchos. I had even carried an umbrella which later turned out to be a very useful prop for our clicks. The sunset was not one of the best I have seen. But it was still good to be in the wild, listening to the silence and watching the sun drown in the hilly horizon amongst the clouds. Every moment was worth it. We headed back as the sun set and parked ourselves near the lake. Vasu had found some bones, leftovers of a kill, and we used that as a subject - discussing choice of aperture, shutter speed, DOF and possible compositions. We made many clicks amidst debates and kept hassling Venky to take a picture on his digital (Nikon D70) and show us the result to settle the growing technical babble. The light shimmered over the water and the experience was close to bliss. The hum of insects, occasional croaks by frogs and the wind in our ears created a paradoxical and deafening silence as the light slowly faded.
Once we were back at the camp Vasu kept us laughing for a long time with his jokes. We occupied ourselves by cooking food and sitting around the fire. With our bellies full we began the night experiments with the camera. Sudu and Vasu took the lead in this while Satz posed as a model in some. Experimenting with light painting using a torch and coupling that with the use of an occasional rear flash, many interesting and creative (and some scary) clicks happened over slow shutter speeds. The clicks were all made on Venky’s D70 and good use was made of the tripods that Sudu and I had hauled with us.
Later we decided to turn in for the night. The tent was ideally made for four and we thought we could stretch it to five. Except we had forgotten about accommodating the guide. I offered the guide gloves and a monkey cap, and Sudu gave him his jacket. We all squeezed into the tent, it stretched the tent and we somehow managed. Before we dozed off into our individual dreams, a small discussion and debate ensued for deciding the time to wake up in the morning and head for the peak. It appeared as though the most stubborn would get his way. In the end a consensus was reached and we turned in, with the wind slapping the tent and many jungle noises in the background. Although it was Vasu’s first time in the woods, he dozed off in just a few min and kept his snores running till morning. I was amazed as he slept like a baby unaware and carefree. Satz remained jittery and uncomfortable for quite sometime and had difficulty sleeping due to a lack of space. I slept a little and was awake intermittently as always when in the wild.
