I had returned from my college at NITK, Suratkal to Bangalore for the holidays when friends here planned (if thats what we do) for a night trek to Skandagiri. We left in the evening of 22nd May 2009 by the Bangalore-Chikkaballapur train at 6 in the evening at Malleshwaram.

We reached Chikkaballapur in 2 hours and had dinner nearby. To reach the start of the trekking (which is about 7 km from the city) point we hired an auto. The 8 of us were at the papagni matt by 9.30. After some fooling around we started the trek from here. Initially it is a mud track for some distance. After some distance the track turns right and it is here that you need to break up with the mud track and follow the trail upwards. We ambled along at a comfortable pace taking breaks in between and chatting along happily. Though the path upwards wasnt tough it was pitch dark and we had to find our way through the darkness.

After a climb that took us a little over 3 hours we had finally reached the summit. As we had climbed the higher reaches we started to experience windy conditions.  By the time we had conquered the summit the weather was turning chilly and many in our group were grateful for the cup of coffee or hot maggi doled out by vendors camping up there.

We selected a place to sleep but in a short duration were unable to bear the cold and had to request for a campfire (40 bucks). The fire died in an hour and we still had 4 hours to kill before dawn. The atmosphere had become misty and the cold was compounded by the fierce winds blowing. Some in the group found shelter in the pitched camps of the vendors while the rest of us tried to catch wink in the cold outside.

Four slow hours passed by and finally light. Wrapped up in shawls, sweaters and standing at the edge as winds blew from down below, with enough force to knock you off, is something only to be experienced. We stayed for an hour and a half at the place relishing the pounding wind and the chilly weather. By 6.30 we left for the downward journey. As we were climbing down the clouds parted for us to catch a glimpse of the sun for the first time in a shade that I’ve never seen in my life below.

Climbing down below and with a wide few I saw one of the most beautiful scenes that i’ve ever chanced upon. Clouds floated along at a level much below where I was and after what seemed a ridiculously long time I realised that I was in a middle of a cloud myself and for the first time understood my 7th standard Geography on what clouds are.

Ideally the path back to the base would have been an hour and a half. But 3 of us trying to find a shortcut strayed off the path and after much ascent and descent reached the base dying of thirst and tired at 12 in the afternoon. But that is another story to be told some time else.

- For those who have their own transport it is a good idea to come to skandagiri at sometime after midnight and start the trek then so that you would have reached the top just before dawn and no problem of having to deal with staying someplace for a few hours.

- Or You can wait at the temple near the base till midnight and start after that.

- There is a temple up at the top which can be used for shelter but the floor sometimes is damp.

- Flashlights are absolutely essential if you are going for the trek at night.

- If you are a little experienced in trekking it is alright to do the trek on your own though you might have to be cautious at a turn or two. (There are a lot of guides available offering to take you to the top)