Ajjikunja Peak (Valikunja Peak)

Ajjikunja peak lies about 30km north of the Kuingal peak. It is between the Agumbe and South Canara border of Kudremukh highway. Even though I tried to go there many times before, due to logistics reasons I was unable to scale that peak which was always haunting me. Finally, in 2019 we planned to hike with Sunder Anna. Since he is always been busy, in December we got an opportunity. Due to severe restrictions by the wildlife department, no permission is given nowadays for various reasons. With some local contacts and gaining the confidence of local forest guard we managed to make it. A local farmer who lives at the base of Western Ghats of that area was hired through Sunder Anna’s contact.

We were three first reached the farmer’s house who has an areca nut plantation there. After taking a requisite pack of lunch, water, tea items we started our trek. From starting itself it was a steep climb of almost 70 degrees. We climbed slow and steady. The forest was thick with towering trees. It is a pure evergreen tropical rain forest, as usual, there was not much sunlight. A dark continent within the forest but we did not encounter any wildlife except few giant squirrels and lion-tailed macaques. After a grueling 3 hour climb, we reached a water source and a small cave nearby.

This cave was used for night halt by forest produce collectors who collect honey, pepper, and Rama patre (myristica fatua). Even illegal hunters used to take shelter here. We relaxed for a while, prepared tea. After the brief rest, we again continued. There was no path hereafter, our local guide made a path by cutting branches with his sheath. After climbing a km more, grassland appeared. It was very difficult to walk on the grass since it was coming up to the shoulder. Due to heavy wind blowing in this height and especially it placed more than 1000 meters above sea level no plants grow here except grass. From here the climb was very steep up to almost 80 degrees. Despite tiredness and exhaustion, we climbed with determination to reach the peak. It took hours together to reach the peak but was worth it. When we reached the top, we forgot all agonies we faced. Shola forests which are dark impenetrable forests was seen below on slopes and around till the horizon. The view was extraordinary, its natural beauty was marvelous, and we had a sense of satisfaction.

A very few trekkers have explored it and I am one of them. A proud moment for me after a long period of effort to reach there. We could see vast coastal plains on one side for miles and vast forest in the East till the horizon. Sounds of creatures in the dark thick forest were heard from below where no one could enter in that dark kingdom.

We spent about an hour observing nature and its glory and slowly started to descend. Coming down was more difficult than climbing. Ultimately, we reached the village after 3 hours of a strenuous walk with an exhausted body but with great memories of our Western Ghats whose tropical evergreen forests and its splendor.