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Almighty Lakegala Conquered

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Year and Month 24th September 2016
Number of Days  One
Crew 5 (Kasun Priyashantha & wife, Uditha, Shashika & myself)

1 guidePrimary Contact person: Navarathna mama081 3804191

Guide: Kalu malli

Accommodation  N/A
Transport Private vehicle (Toyota Pickup)
Activities Hiking, photography & mountain climbing
Weather Excellent weather, not a single drop of rain

April to May & September – October is the recommended period to visit

Route Piliyandala -> Kandy -> Hunnasgiriya -> Meemure and return on the same route.

My advice: Don’t trust Google map for shortest path, we had a very bad experience. Always take the main roads, coz, Google doesn’t know the Sri Lankan road conditions J.

Tips, Notes and Special remark  

Lakegala. requires great amount of mental & body preparation. Do not try to do this hike if you don’t have self-confidence and you are ready to take risk & it’s life threatening.

Tips & tricks are nicely written by Sri Abeywickrema, so I am going to copy and paste with my additions to the last. 

  • Lakegala was the most difficult hike so far in my life. Be prepared to tackle this with the instructions from Nava Mama. He’s the most experience person when it comes to Meemure and Lakegala so highly recommend him as the perfect guide. I’d trust him with my life to take you up and down safely.
  • Don’t go in large numbers and make sure there’s an equal number of helping hands from the village too. E.g. If there are 4 of you, you need at least 3 villagers to accompany you to the top. As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t recommend a group larger than 4 people + 3 villagers.
  • You needn’t worry about ropes or tents or food so long as you go with Nava Mama. However, if you have any climbing equipment, do take with you by all means.
  • Make sure the backpacks are light and stay closer to your body without wavering about. Take only the essential items with you.
  • Carry plenty of water, at least 3 liters per person for drinking alone. If you intend to cook, take more water accordingly.
  • Climbing Lakegala is like a religious ritual for Meemure People. Similar to climbing the Sri Pada. So guard your tongue and follow Nava Mama’s instructions to the letter.
  • No one can say if you can climb this or not. You have to understand your capabilities and decide for yourself whether you can do it or not. Remember, at the end of the day, safety comes first. You’ve gotta live to tell your story. Don’t try to be heroic unnecessarily and put yours and others’ live in danger. You don’t have to be ashamed of yourselves not being able to climb each and everything. Just gauge carefully and decide what’s best for you.
  • Watch your step all the way. Don’t let your guard down. Take frequent breaks; remember it’s not a race to the top. Drink water in sips not in gulps. Don’t overeat as going up will be difficult with an overflowing tummy.
  • The path to the base of the rock is full of lose stones due to the march of cattle searching for food. There might even be snakes underneath them. Use a stick and keep it in front of you.
  • Wear long sleeved T-shirts and if possible cargo pants coz the path is full of prickly bushes and you’re bound to get bruised. However, make sure your arms and limbs not stuck by your clothing.
  • When climbing the rocky surface, you will have to remove your shoes and stay barefoot as it’ll get a proper foothold. However, if you have special climbing shoes, it would also be ideal.
  • Don’t eat anything salty, especially salty and spicy biscuits as it will make you wanna have more and more water.
  • Please don’t attempt this during windy and rainy season. Even a slight wind or a drizzle can make climbing very dangerous. (Ideal time period would be from February to April).
  • Don’t disturb the silence in the jungle. Don’t shout or hoot. Take the minimum amount of polythene but make sure to bring them back with you.
  • There are no water sources on top of Lakegala. So be ready for it.
  • Take Powerful but lightweight torches if you plan to stay overnight. Even if you don’t, take all the same as you might get late to get out of the jungle.
  • Remember, you can’t afford to go to the toilet when you’re on top. Prepare for that by either taking more water (very hard) or take paper tissues or take something like Imodium. However, the hike along the rocky surface might make you wanna do it on the spot.
  • Help protect the environment.
  • Do ask if there’s anything else you want to know as I might’ve missed something.
  • Nava Mama thinks of getting a document signed for the people trying this hike regarding the safety of them. I think it’s a good one coz if someone meets an accident, it’ll put the whole village in trouble while newspapers making headlines accusing this and that. So be prepared to do this if he asks.
  • Kasun Priyashantha            – Photo Album
  • Ganesh                             – Photo Album
Related Resources Trip Report: Hiking Lakegala – Knuckles Mountains

Trip Report: The Ultimate Glory – My Beloved Lakegala….

Author Ganesh
Comments Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread

The day I heard about Lakegala, I started collecting information about this incredible rocky mountain. I was dreaming about this for very long time. When I did the ‘Nil Diya Pokuna’ cave expedition, I decided my next big thing is Lakegala. Me and my friends went to Lakegala during April 2016. Weather was perfect, but the night we stayed, Meemure had a heavy shower. Nava mama told that not do the hike. I was heartbroken L. But I made up my mind that something bad would have happened if we have hiked. From that day I was my clock started ticking……

Every time when I told my friends that I want to do the Lakegala, they said that it’s very hard and too risky. And to think twice before you attempt. But My mind was already set to do this hike this year. After my first attempt I tried several times, but planning screwed me up.

At last, I got an invitation from Kasun Priyashantha, I was walking on the moon. The plan was to climb Lakegala and camp at river bank. We planned to leave on 23rd September, I informed Nava mama that we are coming on 24th morning. We (Kasun & his wife, Shashika, Uditha) assembled at Kasun’s house on 23rd at 6 pm. We have packed all the food, tent and other necessary items for camping and started our journey on Uditha’s Toyota pickup. We left Piliyandala at around 6:30 PM and guided by Google navigation to get the shortest path to Kandy. Our plan is to reach Kandy by 10 PM. For some reason, whole plan got collapsed and came to Nittambuwa at 9:30m PM ha ha ha…. Nothing to do we have to go on. We continued our journey and reached Nava mama’s house at around 4 am. According to Nava mama, we should start climbing around 5 am, we were very tired and exhausted. This worried me a lot, because the hike is very tough. Not only that, wind was blowing like hell, this worried me too much. Especially when you climb the rock surface, if the wind speed it too much, it’s very risky. I checked with Nava mama, he said that wind started only today…… not again L. But my mind said that you will do it today. So we continued.

We had a good cup of tea at Nava mama’s place. We packed with bread & spicy seeni sombol (thanks to Hasini) and started the hike. Before the hike, went to a devalaya to get blessings for a safe journey. I lighted 3 oil lamps and prayed. Now we are ready to rock. We were accompanied with Kalu malli (the guide).

During September, it was very dry, no water in the river and remaining water is contaminated with bugs and dried leaves. Therefore, make sure you carry enough water.

Our transporter……

Our transporter……

WOW…… what a view…..

WOW…… what a view…..

Walked through the jungle and passed dried streams for an hour. We took time-to-time short break and had jeewani & glucose. We all were tired and exhausted due to long journey, this continued to worry me. But inner mind said that we are going to achieve this goal today, and I trusted my inner mind. After hour and half walk, we came to small water fall (a stream), where we had our breakfast. Comparing to last time visit, this time stream was dried big time. We had search for clean water for drinking.

It’s breakfast time….

It’s breakfast time….

Contaminated water…. 

Contaminated water…. 

After the breakfast and a small rest, we started the journey. From this point onwards there was no big trees for shade, it’s like an open area; small thorny bushes, slippery rock surface and lose stones. You have to be bit careful, that now you are climbing at the edge of the Lakegala. On your right side, it’s a 90 degree drop, single wrong step; you know where it will lead you J.

On April 2016…..

On April 2016…..

On September 2016…..

On September 2016…..

Before and after………. Dried big time….

Edge of Lakegala.

Edge of Lakegala.

At this point I could see the summit; first I thought it’s not too far. But it’s not true, it’s the illusion coz of the rock’s angle. The climbing angle has made us little more difficult to climb. Step-by-step, steep is increasing. Suddenly, we were hit by an another hurdle; very strong winds. Don’t know the wind speed, but it was very strong. I have to grasp the bushes coz of the strong wind; it was pushing me aside. The guide told us that, if this wind continues, we cannot reach the summit.

It’s just ‘WOW’ nothing beyond this……

It’s just ‘WOW’ nothing beyond this……

What a creative mind of ‘Mother nature’

What a creative mind of ‘Mother nature’

Not again……it troubled me too much, I came that much closer and returning for the second time also; not acceptable by me. I have made up my mind that I AM DOING THIS SOMEHOW. We decided to go as much we can, and see the, if it’s safe to reach the summit, we will, otherwise we will return. Even though my mind said to go, I cannot take stupid risky decision. As mentioned by Sri, in his report, “You have to understand your capabilities and decide for yourself whether you can do it or not. Remember, at the end of the day, safety comes first. You’ve gotta live to tell your story. Don’t try to be heroic unnecessarily and put yours and others’ live in danger. You don’t have to be ashamed of yourselves not being able to climb each and everything.

These words MUST be followed to the letter, whoever tries this hike.

On the way to the top.

On the way to the top.

Walking through the thorny bushes…..

Walking through the thorny bushes…..

Finally reached the rock bottom of the surface….

Finally reached the rock bottom of the surface…..

After few hours of steep climb through the thorny bushes, we reached the 80-degree angle rock surface. Simply ‘WOW’…. Now mind asked me ‘Are you really want to climb this?” …. Yes, of course…….

WOW…… the path-way to the haven……

WOW…… the path-way to the haven……

The only way to the summit….

The only way to the summit….

On the way to the top.

On the way to the top.

This is not a hike; this is 100% rock climbing, so be prepared for this.

When we came the rocky surface, the strong wind was almost gone, and the Kalu Malli said that we can continue to the summit. And not to waste time, coz don’t know when the strong wind starts again. And he said that we should climb down, before noon, coz if the rock surface get hot, we will suffer, where we did J. So we kept our backpack and took only water. I took my DSLR bag and a water bottle.

First step……

First step……

Shashika in action….

Shashika in action….

The rock surface is about 700-800 feet high. You should have a good body balance and strength to bare your body weight. Train yourself you planning for Lakegala.

This is how you will be on the rock surface Ha ha ha ……….

This is how you will be on the rock surface Ha ha ha ……….

second step……

second step……

Hasini in action….

Hasini in action….

It’s recommended be on bare foot when u climb the rock, unless you have the full control. It was almost near to noon, and coz of the slight wind blow we didn’t feel the heat. But the rock surface was getting hotter and hotter.

While you are climbing take you time, be relaxed and don’t rush. If you are thirsty, drink a sip of water, don’t drink too much.  Carry a gloves, this will help you while you are on the rope.

Kalu malli….atha arinnam epa putho….

Kalu malli….atha arinnam epa putho….

Still more to go…..very steep climb.

Still more to go…..very steep climb.

Uditha is in action…..trying his best.

Uditha is in action…..trying his best.

Uditha, couldn’t make it to the summit, coz he was too tired and exhausted; so we don’t want to force him. He decided to climb down to the steam where we had our breakfast. Good decision, I would say. Climbing this rock surface will take very long time, therefore it’s highly recommended to have 5 or lesser members.

Kalu malli….resting

Kalu malli….resting

The iron rod where the rope is tide to.

The iron rod where the rope is tide to.

After few hours of hard rock climbing, we all reached the summit. WOW, what an achievement, I felt, I am top of the world. From the summit, Kalu malli informed Nava mama, that we have reached the summit. This is the only place where u have Mobitel signal.

Lakegala Summit…..

Lakegala Summit…..

Now the hard time begins, climbing down, don’t look down. Always face the rock and climb down like abseiling. By the time we started to climb down, if I am right it was around 3 pm, the rock was soo hot. Anyhow we have to go home; this trip shouldn’t be a history. Keeping this mind started the climb down approach.

I had left with less than 100ML of water. I have to reserve this till I reach down. I was thirsty, to drink 3 chilled Coca-Cola bottles; but only left with less than 100ml water J. This situation was deadly. Can’t explain in words, have to experience it. And we have climb down one by one, that is going to take another couple of hours.

At around 5pm were able to climb down from the rock surface. Now we have an another worry, Uditha. He climbed down to the water stream where we had breakfast and went alone. If he has gone in a wrong path or lost, that would be another disaster. All were worried and climb down faster we can before the night fall. At last we found Uditha near the water stream.

When we found him it was almost dark & he was worried about us, coz. He has thought that something has happened to us. So he got some dried logs and put up a camp fire, so that he can reach help from the villages. Very good thinking, and appreciate his effort. In this kind of a hike we must be ready anything.

We decided to rest for a while, but Kalu malli said that we should move on. Coz, usually the hike will take around 10-11 hours, and if we don’t reach the village ASAP, the villagers will get panic.

So we continued the journey. Kalu malli was right, Nava mama has sent few villagers with rope, drinks, water and with some biscuits; they thought something has happened coz we were so late.

At last we came to village around 8:45 PM. I immediately went to Nava mama’s home. When he saw me, he came running and hugged me said that ‘I was so worried that we didn’t return.’ That time I realized how much these village people are rich in their heart, money is nothing. Very emotional moment. We all thanked Nava mama, Kalu malli and said good bye to Meemure and returned on the same day.

We reached Colombo, next day around 9 am (home sweet home). I should thank Nava mama for this successful trip.

I will meet you soon once again for a cave expedition on Lakegala J.

Most important tips and some guidance.

  • Don’t go in large numbers
  • Make sure the backpacks are light and stay closer to your body.
  • Carry plenty of water
  • Climbing Lakegala is like a religious ritual, so guard your tongues
  • You have to understand your capabilities and decide for yourself.
  • You’ve gotta live to tell your story. Don’t try to be heroic unnecessarily and put yours and others’ live in danger.
  • You don’t have to be ashamed of yourselves not being able to climb each and everything. Just gauge carefully and decide what’s best for you.
  • Take frequent breaks; remember it’s not a race to the top
  • Please don’t attempt this during windy and rainy season
  • There are no water sources on top of Lakegala.
  • This is not a hike, this 100% rock climbing.

 

Lakegala is the not yet polluted, my kind request; don’t pollute the mother nature. Even ‘Nil Diya Pokuna’ is polluted with Arak bottles and Red bull cans.

Thank you for reading, see you soon with an another adventure trip report.

 


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