The one the kind experience that I had so far… for a moment I felt that as if I am no more in this world, but the experience was worth exploring and here I am giving you the details about my first experience of waterfall rappelling which I traversed….
My adventure group “Natureknights” had catalogued Waterfall rappelling at Vihigaon, Kasara. Keen Venturers and Trekkers call forth all the venturers for an exceedingly incredible experience at one of the most the astonishing topographic point near Mumbai, the Vihigaon waterfall. Vihigaon is a Village in Shahapur Taluk, Thane District, and Maharashtra State. Vihigaon is 77.34 km distance from its District Main City Thane and 91 km distance from its State Main City Mumbai.
The journey began at 6.00 am from Malad, me and my friend were picked by our group leader Asif from Amar Mahal near chembur and others were later picked up from other locations we later formed a group of 18-20 people for this trip. Once we hit the NH3, had a terrible experience of some bad roads and bit of traffic till Bhiwandi-Kalyan Phata. The 4-lane work on NH3 has definitely improved the traffic, although, there are still some roadblocks where the work is incomplete or in early stages. We halted for breakfast at Shree Dutt Guru Restaurant and there we got introduced with the other adventurous people, we introduced ourselves in two words and then emanated our journey. As we crossed shahpur, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery which was spread across only because of the beautiful monsoons and started capturing them for my memories.
The bus halted and we got down near the school where we parked our bus and started with the small trek to reach our destination. The humongous waterfall is a site to watch over and admire the beauty of nature. Rappelling in such a riotous flow is an adventure everyone should experience. Since this was the first time that I was doing rappelling I was filled with apprehension as well as stimulated. Asif gave us the training as to how we should do rappelling. As soon as the session got over some started with the rappelling and some went near the waterfall. We first thought to unwind ourselves in the waterfall. Then we went at the site where our group members were doing rappelling, as I saw them rappelling with the heavy flow of water gushing down I started getting Goosebumps. I didn’t imagine that I can ever do such activity, but then I was determined that I will do this act and overcome my fear from water. I saw many of them were not able to do this activity and after looking at them I was aghast whether I will be able to do it. I was second last in the group, and then finally my number came and I was all rope equipped. I was so agitated, as I entered the waterfall I was just recollecting as to what asif told us. But all in vain as soon as i saw the waterfall coming towards me, it was a killer. I started taking baby steps and started in the descending order. First few steps was ok but once I was few feet’s down I fell, and guider Shivaji helped to stand up and I was on my toes rappelling. After some more few feet down once again I tumbled and got up.
The last cleave was a disaster with only few feet’s left of the rappelling, I lost control and huge water plunged on my face and I was left swinging in the middle of the waterfall. I tried to balance my body and was trying to descend my rope but since the water flow was so strong all went to vain. I started panting and was breathless; I tried to be calm and after sometime when I was not responding, people who were supporting me through rope pulled me down. The moment I was down, the guy who was holding the rope from down hold and asked me “I am sure you must have love the whole adventure” I was gasping hard and told him that “yes I loved it” and also told him that I want to reach the other corner of the waterfall but he told me to be patient and try to control my breath. He took me to the other side where I sat there for some time and tried to walked barefooted all the way to the place where all my other group members were there.
Finally, at 4.30 P.M we started our journey for home, all were so exhausted but still everybody was so excited that we all the way chit chatted and reached Home sweet Home…….
I just want to conclude by saying that it’s the best exercise to overcome the fear of height. Just feel the thrill of suspension at the height of about 100 feet’s. Come experience the incredible feeling of success and accomplishment when you touch the ground.
