In a major feat, a group of students from Pune-based adventure and mountaineering club has successfully scaled eight pinnacles in the vicinity of the remote Mahuli Fort in the Thane district.
The climbers were students of Diploma in Mountaineering and Basic Rock-Climbing courses, organised by the Guardian Giripremi Mountaineering Institute.
The mission was undertaken under the leadership of Krishna Dhokle, an Everester.
The pinnacles climbed included Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Shankar, Parvati, Vajra, Undir, and Damru, and the climb was completed over the course of three days.
The expedition was successfully completed under the expert mentorship of mountaineer Umesh Zirpe, recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Life Achievement Award and Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award.
On March 21, the team, with the help of villagers, embarked on a challenging trek from the base village of Vandre, navigating through dense terrain. After a grueling five-hour hike, including a steep final ascent, the team reached the artificial cave located in the base of the Mahuli Navra peak.
Once the base camp was set, the team rested for a while before Dr Pramod Patil secured the route by installing ropes from the cave to the base of the main peaks.
The climb began with Vishnu Peak, where Prashant Patil started the ascent. After a mixed 350-foot climb, including chimneys, cracks, and slanted slopes, he reached the shoulder of the peak.
Krishna Dhokle followed, climbing the next 100 feet of mixed rock and soil to reach the summit. Mahesh Peak was then scaled easily to conclude the first day’s ascent.
On the second day, the team used jumaring to reach the first peak (Vishnu).
Subsequently, Sachin Shah, Prashant Patil, and Krishna Dhokle climbed Brahma, Shankar, Parvati, and Vajra peaks in succession, completing the second day’s climbing and returning to the cave for the night.
On the third and final day, 14-year-old mountaineer Maloji Dhokle and Dr Pramod Patil scaled the Undir and Damru pinnacles, standing 100 and 80 feet tall respectively.
