Omanugala the colossus of the east

Map taken from Niroshans report

rough map

As seen from Dhanigala

Omunugala

Different shapes

as seen from tempitiya side

In 2013 I did a mega tour around Maha oya – Padiyathalawa region and then only I noticed this beauty and immediately fell in love with it. I planned to conquer the mountain with the help of army officers at Maduru oya camp but it was hampered by the DWC officials. 2nd attempt was in 2016 which I set off to conquer with DWC officials who at the last moment pulled out because they were not familiar with the area. 3rd attempt was again with DWC officials in 2020 and again there were issues with army officers in the area which hampered that attempt too. I was disappointed but the passion to conquer the giant was more than it. Finally with the blessings of all departments we took off towards Omanugala  with the aid of forest departments officials on 2021 march.

Around 8.30am at the abandoned ambalama at Maduru oya – Aralaganvila road we entered the shrub forest with plenty of open land. It was a long walk with many ups and downs while crossing many streams. After 1.5hours we reached the base of the mountain range, from here we had to cross over a gap which no one had been through previously. At the peak of the gap we decided to enter the range and with great difficulty plus the aid of vines we reached a rock with a view. From this rock we marched towards the main peak and we had to traverse a valley. After about a 50m ascend on the main rock we reached a rock wall where two guys climbed up like geckos but others were exhausted and mentally not in a mood to attempt this last hurdle. Somehow we found an alternate route to reach the main rocky plain.

Kamburagala seen on the way

Full team

ruins

Dhanigala range

closest we got

Deer

plenty of streams

Gombaniya and Yakkunge gala

Thunhisgala and knuckles

Dothalugala, Nawanagala, rajagala

almost stepped on this fellow

creativity

NDK tank

.

a break

towards the gap

tall “milla” tree

through the gap

obstacle course

before the challenging section

Viyan hela , Udaperuwe hela, Dhanigala peaks

Ethbedda and walimba

Madigala

best part is ahead

Henannegala

the dam

psychological obstacles

It wasn’t a walk in the park as we expected, there was a good distance with a gradual ascend towards the summit proper. We were so exhausted that the last climb under the sun was not easy to tolerate at all. Along the ridge we reached the summit which had a 180 view been covered by forest on the other side. Close to the summit there were bricks of a pagoda too. To get an idea about the landmarks please refer the images. After having lunch and a nice nap we decided to get down before the showers reached us.

reached the summit range

exhausted

endless

more to go

NDK tank

and more

.

Kadragala

.	Lidagala the tallest, thoppigala seen at far left

summit

.

summit

summit selfie

the drop

the rock

sloped

us

topagala and unkirigala

kokagala

,	kuda seegiriya

NDK and Pimburuththewa

Dimbulagala

Narakamulla

.

.

.

Maduru oya

Maduru oya

Maduru oya

captured

The downhill journey wasn’t easy as we expected, again getting down from the main rock required down sliding with the aid of vines and rocks to reach the mid section with the valley. The Downhill journey from this point also required creeping through bushes along a stream which seemed never ending. Finally we reached the base and the time was close to 6pm. We had no other option other than traversing the shrub forest for 4Km’s before complete darkness. Experience guides were on the shout with crackers in there hands while we were marching under the dark skies in the drizzle. It was a frightful hike to the main road and we were extremely lucky that no elephants crossed our path. Finally the dream became a reality and I’m ever so grateful to Chanith for inviting me on this adventure.

getting down wasnt easy

fresh water

at the base before the last 4km hike

full team minus the photographer