Plans for the forthcoming Weekend (May 27)
We are planning to trek up the Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta:


A hill overlooking the town of Kanakapura. It is one of the tallest hills in the area. Known as Bilikal betta due to the whitish rocks near the summit that is visible from a long distance. At the apex is a small temple and a house where the pujari lives. The pujari's house has an elephant skull which is quite interesting for the first time visitor. However, the temple is very popular with local villagers and it would be best to avoid visiting the place on a festival day if one is looking for a quite day out.

The vegetation is quite thick especially post monsoon season . The adjoining forests are known to harbour elephants and other wildlife endemic to the area.

Approaching the base is a good experience. We need to cross a village, lush green fields, now brown maybe due to summer and a gurgling stream... hopefully the stream will have water even now....

The view from the top is very picturesque as one can see the hillocks from the surrounding Kanakapura range.


Tentative schedule of events for Sunday:
5.00 am: Meet up at a pre-determined place on Sunday Morning 5.00 am (latest 5.30 am). If getting up early is going to be a pain, we could go on Saturday night and camp by the lakeside and early morning head to the hills.
5.30 am: Drive to Koonalu Doddi (base of Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta) - we will reach there at about 7.00 am if we leave Bangalore at 5.30 am. A section of the road is really bad after we turn off from Harohalli so we must leave early. We could stop for breakfast enroute or carry and eat breakfast in the car.
7.00 am: Reach the village and park cars and start walking towards hill
7.30 am: we start trekking through the thick forests towards the summit of Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta
12.30-1.00 pm: Reach the top of the hill and spend time (eating, talking and walking).
3.00 pm: Start descending down.
4.00-4.30 pm: Reach down and start driving back to Bangalore.
6.00 pm: Reach the city and debrief.

Things to carry (MUST):
1. Water bottle (preferably 2 litres or 1 litre two)
2. Food (lots of it) - because everyone will feel deadly hungry after the hard climb
3. Towel to wipe sweat off

Optional
1. Camera
2. Knife
3. Binoculors (it is a good place to do birdwatching (feathered variety).

Hope to see you guys on Sunday. If you need any clarifications do mail me @ srinidhilv@gmail.com or call on 98455 27011 (Srinidhi).