07 September 2009

Great Western Mountain


This is a colossal mountain in the central highlands situated in a very picturesque setting. If you travel by train you will see this between Thalawakele and Nanuoya, while passing Great Western railway station as seen in the above picture.

This is regarded as one of the more difficult climb in the hill country as there are a few sharp slopes to surmount to reach at the top.

Once I tried to climb this but could not complete it. We set off for Great Western on a Saturday morning from Colombo and got down at Great Western Station. We walked along the railway track and started climbing along the edge facing the railway track. We lost our way a few times and then finally got stranded at one of the steep edges. All of us were in a hurry to report back at work in the Monday morning, so sadly we had to call it off and return back home.

Anyway it was a great experience and hoping to do it again with a better plan soon.

23 comments:

siddeshwar said...

There's always another time...

BTW great pictures on your blog.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Siddeshwar,
Many thanks for your comments and dropping by at my blog! :)

rainfield61 said...

It is disappointed not to make it the first time, but there is always the next time.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

WOW--what a gorgeous mountain... Glad you got to check some of it out. I'm sure you will go back sometime. George and I usually return to places when we want to see MORE.

Betsy

Janith said...

wow, it's sad to hear that you couldn't make it, but you should try again, hopefully with more time in your hands! :)

and I love the picture K!

Amila Salgado said...

Looks challenging terrain. Hope to hear from you after your second attempt.

George said...

I really like your picture -- the mountain is very imposing surrounded by mist and clouds. I'm sorry you weren't able to make it to the top on your first attempt. Hopefully you will be more successful next time!

poefusion said...

sorry you couldn't complete your hiking trip but maybe you'll be able to return soon. your picture is great. i hope to share some railroad pictures of my own someday at my blog. i am still perfecting its look. have a great day.

Harshi said...

Wow.. that's such a splendid place for hiking.. and yep the mountain looks quite imposing. Too bad you couldn't make it the first time. If you can map your hiking trail beforehand, it'll be easier to reach the summit without a hassle, right? Anyway good luck!

sumedha Obeysekera said...

Thanks for sharing.. I had only heard the name of this mountain..should try to find some more historic facts.. Hope you can make it a success next time.. All the best!

Rajesh said...

It is beautiful and scenic. I just can't imagine how the train climbs those slopes.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Rainfield,
Oh yes, I have completed quite a few of my hikes in my second effort :)

Betsy,
I agree, some places you cannot cover in one go. There are few places I have been many a times. E.g. Bambarakanda

Chavie,
Thanks! Yes it needs a full day for the hike, last time we had only half a day.

Gallicissa,
I will surely update you when I get there next :)

George,
Thanks! Yep, the mountain looks grand from this end. No worries, this is not the only one I have failed :)

Michelle,
I love railways. I used to travel a lot in railway and I like the railway journey to hill country very much. I am waiting eagerly for your railroad pictures. :)

Harumi,
Thanks! Yes, first time we didn’t have a clue and we just went there and asked the path from a few villagers. Think they also guessed the path from what they had heard. It is quite helpful if you can map the route before you go there. Now of course we have Google Maps also, which we didn’t have a few years back.

Sumedha,
Thanks! I am not sure, why it is called ‘Great Western’. Good to search the historical facts. I will share if I get to know any information.

Rajesh,
The track was laid many years ago to transport tea leaves and other accessories for estates. In fact this section was completed in 1894. It is quite a feat to put up a railway track to climb over 6000 feet and reach the other side of the Central highlands at that time.

Thanks all for your comments!

clo said...

a green paradise...beautiful...:o)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Thanks Clo :)

Sunny said...

I really have to take my time to study your pictures, there is so much detail. I love the train tracks.
Good luck next time.
Sunny :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Sunny,
Thanks very much for your comments :)

Unknown said...

That must have been one impressive hike.
Jee....
Glad you made it back safe :)

Anonymous said...

My father as a young man has worked in that area. He used to talk to me about the great hill country. Should get him on to your blog. So neat.

Sharodindu said...

Great view of rails @ higher altitude...thats the advantage of a hiker :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

NicoleB,
Yep it was a hike that I won't forget!
Thanks a lot for your comments!

Anonymous,
Pls do :) I would like to hear from your father about his adventures during his era..
Thanks for your comments!

Sharodindu,
This was infact taken from a train. :) I agree that only a hiker could get soem of the best views in the hillcountry.
Thanks for your comments!

Dave Coulter said...

Nice! :)

Unknown said...

hey is it so difficult to find a path to top of the mountain? is it neccesary to take a guide man with us?

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Nimesh, Bit difficult if you do not know the area well. Guide would be helpful. OR you need to survey/find the best route o climb the mountain, otherwise you will waste a lot of time as it happened to us.