All FIVE peaks of Knuckles in ONE day (1844m)

Year and Month	April, 2015 (8th)
Number of Days	One Day Trip
Crew	03-Niroshan,Nirosh,Siraj
Accommodation	07th night at Panwila Guest House. – T.P:0812472388 Sanduni Guest House-Bambaralla is an alternative option. T.P: 0722001001
Transport	Bus, Three wheel and walking
Activities	Mountain climbing, Sightseeing and Photography
Weather	Gloomy then drizzling
Route	Colombo -> Kandy -> Waththegama (වත්තේගම) -> Panwila (පන්විල) -> Bambaralla(බඹරැල්ල) -> Knuckles peaks -> Back to same route to Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Two main points of covering all five peaks in one day: Start the journey at least 6.30am from Thawalanthanna (තවලන්තැන්න) Carry only essential things for a day hike: “light pack-fast walk” Last bus from Bambaralla to Kandy/Waththegama at 5.00pm. But it is not sure. If you can go to Gomariya road, you can catch 4.20pm bus to Kandy. Better clarify bus time table from Thilaka Stores Thawalnthanna: 0813843365 Weather of Knuckles range is unpredictable. Therefore better know about current weather before you go there. Again contact Thilaka stores. Leech protection methods to be followed. Knuckles range is highly infested with leeches. Alum was a successful method in prevention of leeches. Better wear attire. Carrying enough water is a must. No water sources on peaks of the range. Bring at least 1.5liter-2liter per a person. Water requirement would be changed according to weather condition. Though we carry 3liters per person, we used only about 1.5liter due to less hot weather. Still bit doubtful about need of permission for this climbing. There is a forest office at Panwila. But we didn’t get it. Climbing from Bambaralla side and getting down from Thangappuwa (තoගප්පුව) side is another option There is a foot pathway (short cut) from Thilaka stores-Thawalanthanna to trail head.
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread All FIVE peaks of Knuckles in ONE day (1844m)

Knuckles peaks-view from Mudukirigala-Kadugannawa

Knuckles peaks-view from Hanthana range

Climbing all five Knuckles peaks was one of my dreams. Do it within one day was a challenge. Once I tried to cover five peaks with night camping. (I will tell later). But it was not successful as thick mist covered everywhere and we could reach only up to 4th peak.

We stayed the night at Panwila guest house and started the journey from there around 5.30am. By 6.15am we reached Thawalanthanna and kept our unnecessary stuff at Thilaka Stores to start the journey. Three wheel driver agreed to bring us for another 1km along the gravel road and then started walking. (There is a foot pathway to cut this distance). Knuckles Mountain was clearly visible without mist covering.

“Kandasamy Gala” කන්දසාමි ගල-Sacred rock situated closer to Knuckles

Blessings…

Following the short cut

Armed with ALUM- AlSO4 gives good protection from Leeches

Last set of line houses we met

Starting point of Knuckles climbing

There is a clear foot pathway up to 2nd peak of Knuckles. Second peak is the highest out of five and most common peak to everyone who climbs Knuckles. Initial part of this foot pathway has a small ascend and five peaks are clearly visible there. Knuckles fall is also situated closer to the pathway. Last water stream for the entire hiking would come across there. Gradually the ascend becomes more and foot pathway goes through thick forest.

You will come across a foot pathway goes down to Thangappuwa at one point. (Actually it joins with Thangappuwa-Alugal Lena-අලුගල් ලෙන foot pathway). First Knuckles peak doesn’t provide a good surrounding view as it’s covered with bushes. There is a camp site prepared at first peak.

Second peak provides splendid surrounding view. On top of second peak you can view Thawalanthanna, Hunnasgiriya (හුන්නස්ගිරිය) peak, Hanthana (හන්තාන) range, Alu Gal Lena Mountain, Kehelpothdoruwegala (කෙහෙල්පොත්දොරුවේගල) and rest of Knuckles range. Then it is the common camping site of a lot of travelers who spend the night there. (I will tell about camping experience on Knuckles peaks later).

Knuckles Falls-නකල්ස් ඇල්ල

Getting initial steps….

Numbering of five peaks

KNUCKLS

Crossing the last water stream

Entering to a flat terrain

This might be a seasonal water source. It will completely dry out during dry season.

Climbing further….

Looked back……

Getting into thick forest

Rest station made by forest department. But it is extremely difficult to rest here due to leeches and flies

Trio of the journey….

Main junction: White arrow towards the peaks and red arrow towards Thangappuwa

Closer to 1st peak

Off seasonal NELU-නෙලු

Reaching the first peak. Latitude, Longitude 7.402632,80.808842 -Elevation-1800 meters (5905 feet).This is the camping site made by someone at there.

View from first Knuckles peak is blocked with bushes

Second Knuckles peak-Highest peak

View of first peak on the way to second peak.

Passing first peak

On top of second peak Latitude, Longitude 7.400771, 80.810616 -Elevation-1844 meters (6050 feet)

Thawalanthanna side

The route we came

Hanthana Mountain Range is popped up……

Hunnasgiriya Peak

Highest peak of Knuckles Range-Gombaniya(ගොම්බානිය)

View of Kehelpothdoruwegala. Yahangala (යහන්ගල) is seen back.

Alugal Lena Mountain? Kalupahana (අලුගල් ලෙන කන්ද)? කළුපහන

Alugal Lena Mountain is shown in red arrow and Sphinx Rock is shown by green arrow

Delighted faces on second peak

View of third, fourth and fifth.

Another picture of surrounding view

Time was around 10.30 when we reach second peak. Though it was a gloomy day surrounding view was clear. After enjoying the view there, we stepped down towards the third peak. There was an acute drop at foot pathway from second peak to third and we reached an opening area after a while. (In between second and third peak). I remembered the furious wind we experienced here in my first attempt. We were about to thrown away because of wind. We reached the third peak without much exertion.

Direction of mountain range was changed after third peak. You would not have clear foot pathway following the opening area between second and third. But improper foot pathway was seen, might be made by Sambur. As usual there were ascends and descends in between third, fourth and fifth peaks.

We reached the fifth peak by around 12.30pm and mist was covering second peak when we looked back. We felt we were so lucky to not to have misty view till we finishes the journey.

On our way down we were caught to a slight rain and came to Thawalanthanna by 3.30pm.