Let me share the Journey of Kalsubai Trek – Highest Peak of Maharashtra State – Kalsubai summit by 3 Year Girl PRISHA LOKESH NIKAJOO who is adventure trek enthusiastic accompanying with her father.
We planned Kalsubai trek with trekking group for 31st Oct 2021 and started on 30th Oct 2021 afternoon from Mumbai by our car, enroute we got the chance see the beautiful panorama of the lakes, waterfalls and mountains of sahayadri near Igatpuri. Prisha is very much excited and I stopped car three to four times to see the mountain ranges as we took another route right before the Igatpuri to Bari Village which is the base camp for the Kalsubai trek.
We reached at Bari Village around 6.30 pm and stayed at home stay at Bari near bus stand. Villagers are very friendly and humble, Prisha played with the pet animals’ dog, calf and cat at their home and was very excited to see village life. We had our dinner which was home made as we both avoid spicy food so opted Daal rice only and we had it with the food which we bought from our home as well. It was little cold and we were given blankets and the home stay was surrounded with the agriculture field so it was chill and windy due lot of open space in village.
I set the alarm in my both the mobiles as we need to get ready by 4.30 to join our trekking group at base camp. I woke up at 4 am and freshen up but Prisha took little time to wake up by 4.30 am and then we both got ready by 5 am and we reached the base camp near the village temple but our group didn’t come yet hence we took rest for 30 min and then all group member came and we had introduction of all members & group leaders and we headed to the starting point of the trek which is the temple situated little further walking distance from the Bari village.
We started ascending from the base at 5.46 am and it was still a dark, I used torch light and two trek leaders were behind us to guide and were providing light from the flash light of their mobile. Prisha took small breaks near one hut and then continued as small rocky patch was there. After 20-30 minute of climbing we could see the natural light and it was near to sunrise then I switched off the torch and we saw two other groups also heading towards the Peak. Prisha took small breaks in between and head biscuits and snacks to keep the energy level maintained and we were carrying the hydration pouch so she used to drink water within small intervals as I asked her to keep yourself hydrated and drink water frequently.
When we reached to first ladder, Prisha climbed it without any support and trek leaders were surprised to see her climbing ladder at this pace and many other trekkers encouraged and praised Prisha during the trek.
So many trekkers were confused and called her ‘good boy’ ‘nice boy’ then Prisha corrected every time that “I am not boy” “I am girl” then the people really felt happy to see her reply that at this age she is climbing the biggest mountain of Maharashtra.
On second and third ladder there were Monkeys who were trying to take the eatables from trekkers and as we encounter with the Monkeys in our previous treks so I gave her vissel to keep it and blow when she find anything which she feels danger and she did the same and Monkeys could stayed away.
After the ladder we taken small break near the wel where the vendors sell the breakfast, snacks and other food items. We decided to have breakfast once we complete the summit and Prisha did agree on that and she started for the final climb of ladder of the Kalsubai, one group praised her and three four girls from that group offered her help by giving their hand to hold but Prisha refused and she climbed by her own to reach up to the final ladder, by the time we reached to final ladder few groups were already completed the summit and started decending so we need to wait for at least 15-20 minutes as ladder was broken in between and it can be either use for climbing or descending after few minutes wait we finally climbed the ladder and Prisha made the history for climbing the Highest Peak of Maharashtra on 9:02 am at the age of 3 Year and 11 month by her own and completed the summit in 3 hour and 16 min.
HEIGHT OF THE PEAK: 1646 M (5400 FT)
KALSUBAI PEAK: HIGHEST PEAK OF MAHARASHTRA STATE
DATE OF SUMMIT MADE: 31ST OCTOBER 2021
TREK STARTED FROM: BASE VILLAGE BARI
TREK STARTED TIME: 5:46 AM
TREK COMPLETED TIME: 09:02 AM
TOTAL TIME TAKEN: 3 HOUR AND 16 MINUTES
“If Encouraged Girls Can prove themselves & Reach Top of The World” “Give every girl child a good start.”
Prisha took rest for a while and ate apple and wafers then we started descending and stopped for the breakfast at the vendor shop near water wel We brought the sandwich and salad and sauce so could avoid outside food and had breakfast. Descending couldn’t took much time except the ladder due to Monkeys and trekkers who were heading towards the summit.
We reached around 12:15 pm at base temple and I took her to Priest, he was very happy to hear that Prisha climbed successfully without any difficulty and gave her blessings and letter of appreciation which means a lot for us.
We returned to base camp home stay where lunch was ready and we all had homemade food and trek leaders and co-trekkers took the photos with Prisha and trek lead gave certificate of completion to Prisha.
We started back around 2:50 pm from Bari village, I reclined seat and Prisha took sound sleep till we reached Mumbai around 7 pm.
I shared this with our friends and family members and all were very proud of Prisha to accomplish this trek at this age.
She got the attention on social media as well The Better India has shared it on linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6863732617645236224/.
I sent her photo and videos for the National level record books like India books of Records, Indian achievers record and got confirmation & approved for the certificate and medal but we rather stood away from it as we believe that medals should not be purchased.
The real appreciation and achievement are the praise and encouragement from the family and society and I would appreciate and appeal after reading this if experts in the adventure sport and trekking field can guide & help my daughter to shape her career in right way and find a mentor that will be great. I urge People to encourage young girls to take such courageous trekking, hiking & mountaineering activity.
Hi,
Good achievement at this age
Keep it up !!
Excellent Prisha….Keep it up…And keep motivating other girls too 👍👍
Great job Prisha and I hope you keep making wonderful achievements like this one in the future😁👍
Great job prisha…..