19 April 2010

More into Hiking!


These days I’m getting quite a few mails asking for information on various places in Sri Lanka. I thought of streamlining the contact mode a bit so I can organize my mails and would be able to give a faster response. As a first step, I have added a little widget to contact me. Still, anyone can write direct to my email as well.

I know that, Lakdasun.com had done yeoman service over the years to ‘discover, explore and conserve the natural beauty of Sri Lanka’. I’m happy to see many people switching to hiking, backpacking and trekking. (Perhaps, I shall explain the difference of all three in another post) I personally like this development oppose to flooding a scenic area with motor vehicles, causing noise and air pollution.

I wish more people could have fun like Sinhalaya Travels, which I had my pleasure of joining them a few weeks back.

21 comments:

NicoleB, Egypt said...

I would love to come hiking there. What a wonderful place!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Nicole,
You are most welcome!
Thanks a lot for your comments!

George said...

I agree that it would be beneficial if more people hiked instead of driving vehicles all the time. I don't think most people know how wonderful hiking actually is.

Harshi said...

Hiking is definitely the best way to explore nature. And just when I was planning for a hike, the seasons changed and we're having thunder showers daily over here. -__-

Yep, it'll be great if you could provide more ideas, tips and tricks on hiking and such.

AFAIK trekking is much tougher than hiking.. and backpackers usually opt for the cheapest options, right? =D

Kirigalpoththa said...

George,
That is true! Some people who have never done hiking before fall in love with it after the first hike.

Harumi,
Yes bad weather like these days are not ideal for hiking. Since you are in Kandy you have a better chances of hiking. Do Hanthana first, that is a great place to start. If you have already done that try the same from Nilambe side.

You are quite close to the correct meanings. Usually trekking means hiking for multiple days mainly through difficult and challenging terrain. We do not have much chance of trekking in sri Lanka as it is a smaller country. Most of the hikes I have done are not really trekking as I have completed them within one or two days. I had a few trekking experiences in Knuckles where I hiked for about 3-4 days. Also once I did one starting from Ohiya to Balangoda spanning for 5 days. I had a similar experience in Peak Wilderness also.

In backpacking you have to camp at least once. Like trekking it is again multiple days but Backpacking does not have to be through difficult terrain. And you are correct saying it is the cheapest mode of travelling, even across countries and continents.

With the end of war we will surely have more opportunities of doing backpacking and trekking rather than just hiking. North and East possibly offer excellent opportunities for such longer versions of hiking.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi K, Hiking is the BEST... You know that George and I believe that. It's the best feeling in the world to be way back into the woods--away from the 'world' just enjoying the beauty all around us.

Thanks...
Betsy

Kristin said...

I agree too that hiking is a great to explore mother nature. It's good to know that more and more people are interested in nature conservation.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Betsy,
Yes you two are the best hiking couple I have seen. Awaiting to see the beauty of Spring in Tennessee from your eyes!

Kristin,
General trend is satisfactory and more people seem to be care about the nature. But definitely we can do better. :)

Harshi said...

That's true. I've never been to Hantane but hope to do so when I get a chance. But I do see it daily from home. =D About Nilambe, does the hiking trail lead to the famous meditation center or it's somewhere else?

oh and thanks a lot for the detailed explanations. I've come across those terms often while working but didn't know their distinctive difference. And yep, there's so much to explore in those areas that we've not seen for 3 long decades.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Harumi,
Yes the trailhead of Hanthana mountains from Nilambe is close to Bavana Madyasthanaya. You can reach there from Galaha Road. This particular trail is a more strenuous one, but it will take you through all the 7 peaks including Katusukonda.
Thanks a lot for ur comments! :)

Loshini said...

interesting terrain.. thanks for the links!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Loshini,
Thanks and you are welcome!

Harshi said...

Wow.. that sounds tough but it's worth a try.. least one peak at a time. =D Thanks a lot.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Harumi,
Yes, you can try one at a time, but if you could scale katusukonda rest are easy. :)

Sankara Subramanian said...

Nice! You are going to be my goto person whenever I plan a long time to SL. :-)

Keep it going! You are doing a noble service.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Sankara,
Thanks mate. Just let me know if and when you plan to come here. I'll be happy to take you all around SL :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Jerry,
You are most welcome!
Yep, we shouldn't have wasted an important day like ydy, must have used for some good purpose like climbing a mountain :)

Ashan253 said...

Hi
you have are doing a great job!
its a very nice to see such blog.
With the help of your report on Alagalla I also did the hike and wrote a trip report to www.Lakdasun.com.
thanks

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Ashan,
Great to hear that! Glad i could help.. I'll check your trip report in Lakdasun.com.
Thanks very much for your comments and compliments. Really appreciate it :)

Ashan253 said...

Hi Kirigalpoththa!
here is the link of my report!
http://trips.lakdasun.com/fascinating-alagalla-dekinda-falls.htm
thanks cheers
Ashan

Kirigalpoththa said...

Hi Ashan,
Saw your excellent trip report. So you did it on your own.. eh? :)
The best part is the final climb through the crevice isn't it ?
I think I missed Dekinda falls. I got to know that after I returned home. May be next time :)
Your photos are great. Thanks for the vivid dscriptions on the 360 degree view and of course that important provincial boundary marker.