I spotted a sign for "Bangalore Mountaineering Club" while walking in Indiranagar and decided to sign up for a trek.

The trek was in the Kudremukh forest and required a long bus ride. We made multiple stops along the way, first at Lakshmi Devi Temple

and at a tea planation. lunch was at "growers coffee house" that roasted beans we could see from the bus.

food along the way was great, eating dosa idli vada and indo-chinese.

wrapped up the day with a campfire and some icebreaker games to get to know the group.

wandered off for some late night chili bajji with some new friends.

I wasn't prepared at all for the sleeping situation, fifteen beds in two rows in a single room. an out of sync snoring symphony. At 2:30 AM I went to the roof for some stellar stargazing. There were clear skies and a new moon so it looked amazing. I don't know how to take that sort of photo though sorry.

In the morning we had a standing jeep ride from the homestay up to the start of the hike. felt a bit like a roller coaster.

this would be so lush during the monsoon, but at least we didn't have to deal with the leeches that come with the wet season

or any difficult water crossings, just some streams

made it to the top in no time. for the seattle hiker, this felt like a gentle walk, but for the locals this was a bigger deal

in india, everyone must do shah rukh khan pose on the top of every mountain. arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world. at the time of this picture, some of the local hikers were terrified i'd fall, warning me not to lean back this far.

slept through the ride home, just waking up for a spicy Anjal fish fry and sweet-and-salty fresh lime soda