Wilshire (1200m).……..different approach

Wilshire is the mountain stands behind famous Aluwihare temple in Matale. It is also called Aluwihare Kanda (අලුවිහාරේ කන්ද) and Etigala (ඇටිගල). This mountain is nicely popped up at Asgiriya side (not in Matale town side) as a peak. Then it’s two peaks are prominent in that side.

Ashan has climbed Wilshire one year ago from Asgiriya side and he has faced a great obstacle-Bamboo. Map reading tells me it can be easily climbed from other side-Matale town side.

Map reading always helped us. Matale town is shown by black circle. Then follow the pathway (mortable road) in red arrows. Latter part goes through a tea estate according to the map. But we didn’t come across such area. Most probably it is covered with Pines now. Black line shows approximate path towards the peak. Black star might be the peak. – Click Map to Enlarge

It was difficult to climb up along Pines forest due to few reasons:

1. No proper foot pathway.
2. Undergrowth was there sometimes above my height.
3. Thorny bushes.
4. Slippery ground over Pines leaves after rain. On top of all that Leech attacks.

Starting the journey

Road becomes bad

It is part of their life

Nearby peak of Wilshire range

Traces

Wild beauties

Mist coming down

Crowded Matale town

Pines everywhere

Pines tree resins is a good source of Turpentine.

Small Kovil was there

End of the road. We followed foot pathway in arrow-A and came back. Pathway to peak is shown by arrow B.

Water source we found at the junction. This is the last water source

Hard to have sunlight here

Wild Lily

Abounded house. Started actual hike in front of this

Wondering where to go

Helping hand. Note Pines leaves make slippery floor

Zoomed

Indranatha making a path

Filtering sun rays

Misty cover

After 2hour climb we reached to a mana plane where we had a nice surrounding view. Main peak of Wilshire was seen in right hand side and neighborhood mighty Etipola with his brother Brandy rock were standing in front of us. View of distance peaks were not clear due to misty weather. According to Ashan’s report he also has arrived here and we could trace his pathway.

Last part of the journey was the most difficult as pathway was covered with Bamboo bushes. Therefore we had to clear the pathway and it took about 30-45minutes to reach the top though the distance was about 300m.

Highest peak of Wilshire is covered with bushes but provides nice panoramic view. We were unfortunate to enjoy it because of misty weather. Second peak was clearly visible to highest peak. It had a Mana top but we didn’t try to reach there.

We made our return way in 45minutes as dusk was coming. It was time 5.30pm when we reached the abounded house at bottom of Pines estate.

At the end entered to a clear area

View of two peaks at Mana plane

Highest peak. Note all the way Bamboo bushes

Creeping through Mana bushes

Mana is better than Bamboo

Better view of two peaks

Bamboo can be handled in two ways: you can cut bamboo and make your way or crawling beneath Bamboo bushes

Brandy rock and faint view of Etipola

Matale town back

Few meters to the peak……

View of second peak from highest peak. In between Bamboo

Where we came: Blue star shows the Mana area we had a rest. Blue arrow shows our way through Pines patch. Red arrow shows Ashan’s pathway. (Most probably). Then black arrow shows the way towards the peak.

Group photo taken at Mana patch.

Back to Pines area

Thanks for reading. Have a nice hike.