Thursday, July 9, 2009

Friday, December 19, 2008

Merrell Boots




Again a new stuff to add in my trekking kit. Best during mosoon treks and rugged to used on the rocky terrains. The waterproof built does not give much comfort to use in day to day life. The shoe is best to use with synthetic socks.

For peak performance when the trail is rugged and sometimes awash. A fully waterproof light hiking boot to keep your feet dry all day. Omni-Fit™ lacing system with bronze loops adapts to the shape of your foot for ideal fit. 4mm tapered-nylon grade 4 insole for the comfort and flexibility you need to cover a lot of ground fast. Molded wishbone external heel counter for great ankle support.

Specifications:

  • Waterproof Construction

  • Waterproof Nubuck Leather Upper

  • Waterproof Membrane Backed with Polyester Mesh Lining

  • Waterproof Bellows Tongue

  • Injection Molded Wishbone External Counter

  • Asymmetrical Bronze Double Lace Hooks

  • Omni-Fit™/Bronze Loop System

  • 4.5mm Anatomical Footbed

  • 6mm Tapered Nylon Grade 4 Insole

  • Compression Molded EVA Footframe

  • Air Cushion Midsole

  • 4.5mm Sole Lug Depth

  • Vibram® Phaser™ Sole/Trek Rubber


  • Men's Weight: 3 lbs. 1 oz.

    For more info see the link:
    http://www.merrell.com/US/Product/NZGP/Mens-Active-Footwear/Hiking/Mens/Phaser-Peak-Waterproof.aspx




    Osprey Aether 70


    A longstanding requirement for my trekking desires. Gives 70 liters space and ruggedly built. Can store my 8ft by 9ft tent as well as the hugely built sleeping bag. After I bought the bag it is my mate for all the rides, trek and trips. A well built body and water resistant. It kept all my stuff dry even in heavy downpour. Planning to use it for my one month Himalayan trip.

    I stuffed the bag with 20Kgs and did a mom test. As in technical field it is said a product can be hit if your mom can use the product. She did not feel a single hurt while carrying 20kgs in her back.

    I loaded the bag with 25kgs stuff and still did not feel a pain in my back. Best for a 3 days trek.

    Can see the specification details in the link :
    http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=8&colorCode=820&tab=description

    Sennheiser HD 595

    I am an ardent music lover. And that means continuous playbacks of my music playlists. My creative 2.1 definitely lots of trouble to my room mates. Realizing the fact I am in lookout for some amazing Headphones. The cost was not an issue.

    After a thorough market research and testing most of the available Headphones I have bought Sennheiser HD 595. After an usage for past 3 months here is my review of the headphone and why I still love it.

    First of all the specs the this Headphone

    Frequency Response 12 - 38,500 Hz
    Nominal Impedance 50ohms
    Max Spl (1kHz, 1Vrms), 112dB
    Weight 9.5oz
    Transducer Principle Dynamic, open
    Thd <0.1%

    Transducer Principle Dynamic, open
    Weight Wo Cable 9.5oz
    Characteristic Spl 104dB
    Ear Coupling Circumaural

    Connector 6.3mm stereo jack with 3.5mm adapter(both gold plated) 10ft cable, (OFC), single-sided, changeable

    Well first of all the specs look very technical and for laymans term does not mean much.

    So here is my preview.
    I wanted a headphone which can be comfortable wearing and which I can use for long time and still get the feel of stereo effects. I tried Bose, Audiotechnica, Shure before to go for Sennheiser headphones. Shure is a master in earphones and no doubt their earphones are the best in class. But still my choice was for headphone.

    Bose genuinely very famous and their headphones I felt very above what I should pay for. I can feel the bass in Bose but it still missed the clarity at lower frequency. You can sense the beats but bose is not that clear with the lower frequencies like voice, background instruments. Auditechnica same effect.

    Sennheiser HD595 is above them. The Audiophile series are terrific. But I could not find much difference between the HD595, HD600, and HD650. Though Sennheiser tried a lot in improving the bass effect in higher series 600 and 650 but it loses the clarity. HD 595 gives and onstage effect as said in Sennheiser website and its very true. I can feel the music is playing somewhere far away and not on my eardrums. And this gives quite a comfort to the eardrums and during longer usage. The open air ear cups are the most confortable features. I can wear the headphones more than for 5 hours. Once I slept with the headphone and did not even I realise that it is on my ear. It gives near to 0 feel over ur head and ears. The sound is of amazing clarity. I can sense the singer breathing during a pause. Also can make out all the instruments playing in the background.

    From bass side this headphone lacks that a lot. But it is made accordingly. This headphone is not for those who love bass but for those who admire the clarity and want to enjoy the music for long time.

    Definitely amplification improves the performance. I sense that when I try to use Sennheiser in my ipod and then use it with my laptop. With laptop the performance is terrific.

    The headphone is amazingly soothing even at high volumes. Though it leaks sound but I think its an added advantage to maitain the clarity on the ears.

    I would suggest this headphone for those who admire clarity in music.

    For more information I would suggest to follow the link
    http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/full-size/sennheiser-hd-595.php

    Sheaffer with golden nip

    After a long time am back to fill up my blogs. I have done lots of trips and shopping during this time. In the shopping list first I bought is the Sheaffer Agio pen. I got the Black and golden model. I bought the pen from William Penn in Forum Bagalore. The nip is made of 23 Karat gold and amazing smooth. It just fits the grip. With the purchase I got one Sheaffer ink for free and 2 years warranty. The pen catches eye of everyone whenever I take it out for signing my bills. :)

    Monday, May 5, 2008

    615kms of ride through Brahmagiri Ranges, Irupu Falls, Wayanad, Nagarhole, Kabini

    Some tips before I start my trip details:-

    1. Its you only who can cherish n care about your life.
    2. Drive safe and slow
    3. Wear Helmet if riding bike or seat-belt if driving 4 wheel



    As children we knew that Life was a voyage of discovery and we were invinsible. We played hide and seek, cowboys and indians. Ran away from home sometimes, we climbed, we jumped into puddles but we did sonething more than anything else we often got ourselves really meshy. Everyday was an adventure, every step into unknown territories. but then we grew older. Got comfortable, welfare, clean and tidy. Days came and go, and came and go. Sometimes we just want to escape and get into those glorious older days and want to be kid again.

















    After the trip of Kerala for Anil's marriage its again the time for getting out during the weekends. I was planning for an outing during the 3rd and 4th of May. Got a big biker team but by Friday night all dropped out. I was left with Naveen and my Avenger. Before we had plans to visit Kabini. Now since we were left with one bike and two people, we thought of keeping the trip simple and less adventurous. Experiencing the Coorgi food and a home stay were few plans left in our plates. Keeping this in mind we started our journey on 3rd of May. I picked up Naveen from IISc and then headed towards Mysore highway.

    Maddur Vadas feeling our stomach at Maddur Tyfannis we started deciding our route n stay plans. Chiligiri Estate came out as the best option because of its proximity to Brahamagiri ranges(best view from the backyards of the estate), Irupu Falls(4kms), Wayanad(14kms), Nagarhole(22kms). Call 09448582496 for bookings. Rates were sensible--> 1000/- INR if want to stay including meals, 750/- INR includes stay and breakfast. We opted for the first option since food and hospitality was the main reason of this trip.

    We started heading towards Srirangapattam on Mysore Highway. After Srirangapattam we took the bypass road to Hunsur. By around 12noon we were in Hunsur. From Hunsur we took the road to Nagarhole. Because Kutta was the place where we were heading for. But alas due to our ignorance we were stopped at Nagarhole check post. Please note bikes are not allowed inside Nagarhole due to elephant menace. The only way left for us was to take the road to Gonikkopal and then to drive till Kutta. Gonikkapal way was via Hunsur. But driving all the way back could have consumed lots of time. So we decided to drive through the villages till Panchavadi. Then head for Gonikkopal. The drive was fabulous on the mud roads. Miles and miles of no human habitation. Some villages came in between. And it was very necessary to ask the locals for Panchavadi. Hindi was quite uncommon in the area. But still we managed to reach Panchavadi. After Panchavadi roads were good with lush green, tall trees on both sides of the road. We were in Gonikkopal by 2 noon. Then from Gonnikopal to Kutta the drive of 30kms all through the hills, quite satisfactory to fulfill our thirst to see and be with the nature. The road to Kutta leads via Ponnampet, Hudikere, Srimangala. Some 4kms before Kutta a right turn to Manchali leads to Chilligiri Estate. But there is a small sign board. So keep the eyes open. We missed the spot twice. But finally we were lucky to notice board.

    We both were welcomed with hot cups of coffee. A fast clean up and we were set to explore the backyards of estate. Hardly 500metres walk and Brahmagiri ranges stood majestically in front of ours. Half of the montains were covered with clouds. Some good variety of birds to watch through . Walking those calm, tranquil, beautiful trails made us both mesmerized. We were back to Chilligiri after a long walk. Home made wine was need of the moment. And a wine served with black fresh coffee brought us back to senses. By night we had our dinner, a connoisseur's dream and hunger's requirement. Then a good sleep completed our first day.

    Next day morning I woke early to decide on our route plans. By 5:30am hot bed coffee woha... It was dense fog all over the place so we couldn't start untill sun was up. By 7:30am we geared ourselves and went straight for Wayanad. We were in Kerala. Some great moment for both of us to cover all the way till Kerala on single bike. In Wayanad we did safari but against our wishes were unable to see any animal.. Except few herds of spotted deers and some langurs. From Wayanad we drove back to Kutta then all the way till Nagarhole checkpost to explore the places. Then again drove back crossed the Manchali board. A drive of 1km more and we were near the junction of Irupu Falls. There is a sign board easily unnoticed. The sign board leads to Irupu Resort and the falls. Some winding roads, rode 3kms and we were in Irupu Falls. Parked the bike and walked 700metres to reach Irupu falls. The walk was through dense woods. Calmness and coolness was all around the air. Walking down the trails we watched some beautiful butterflies endemic and specific to the region. The Irupu falls was marvelous. Chill water gushing down 98metres. For people who love calmness and tranquility come early to escape from noisy late visitors. We missed that opportunity as we were late. Got some good photographs and we decided to drive back to Bangalore. While coming down the Irupu falls visited the Rameshwara temple. Myths are that the idol was established by Ram himself. We were back to Chilligiri Estate. Had our delicious lunch. With stomach filled we decided to drive on the other way round. Ride via Wayanad till Kottikalam then take the diversion to Mysore. This road leads via Kabini. So we hit the road. The roads were really in good condition. In Kottikalam we took Mysore road. As soon as we entered Karnataka again the road turned horrible. 30km of road section was full of potholes. Infact there was hardly any roads except potholes. (Whoever is taking this section of the road please keep in mind it is hard to find any person in this area, not a single village. And the road is all through the jungles. So keep the gears ready. Its better not to take this road if you are not extreme level of nature lover). In this section we saw only 3 vehicles which crossed us. We saw some really wonderful birds on the . The place was so inhabited that birds were not scared of us.. We took 2hours to cross that 30kms. Reached Kabini. Took some photographs. And were set for Mysore again. After Kabini road was really good. Reached Mysore by 5:30PM. Quite a relief. Had maddur vada again to fill our tired stomachs :) while returning.

    Friday, April 25, 2008

    Bike Ride of 600Kms covering Chikmagalur, BB Hills, Kemmanagundi










    This was not a trip of Heroic deeds, but to feel the the raw intensity, brute magnetism, wild passion and to sense the unbridled power being exuded by the very air around.

    For long I have been planning for this trip. Anhsu gone to Mauritius and Shankar busy with his packing for USA, I decided to do this trip with Suneet (my office mate). When I asked him he was ready in the first place. On April 12th, 2008 , we started our journey. We decided to commence by morning 5:30AM. But damm Suneet and his sleep. We could only start by 7:00 AM. I packed my tents, sleeping bag and new cramster bag in my bike. We met at MG road. Reached Yaswanthpura and started rolling towards Tumkur Road. Advice for others please try to avoid this road, instead, if possible get on the Nice Road which joins to Tumkur Road. From Neelamangala take the left turn (NH48) towards Hasan. The roads were good. We kept on driving at 90-100kph. Reached Kunigal by 10Am. Had Katte Idli in our breakfast. We started again, the sun was high and there was a sense of humidity in the air due to the recent rains. It was all green around. And riding through that was quite magnificent. We reached Hasan by 11:30AM. From Hasan the road diverts to Chikmaglur. We got little bit confused in Hasan on getting the right road. Anyway we reached Chikmaglur by 1:00PM. Had lunch there only. It was really hot by the afternoon. We tried to call the Horticulture Guest House, Kemenagundi. But it seemed all the rooms got full.

    We decided to keep moving. As soon as we left Chikmaglur and reached the foot hills of Baba-budan giri the wind became really heavy on me and my avenger. But still I was able to make it to the hills. As soon as we were in the dense woods there wind got stopped. The sense of the majestic hills in front mesmerized both of us. The more we drove, the more we wanted to drive. The beauty was never ending and never repeating. There was always new to sense, feel and see. Every turn was hidden with its own splendor views. On the one side of hill it was dense woods and on the other whole moutain was fully covered wit green grasses only. The road then divided into two. The left goes to Kemenagundi and right to Baba Budan Giri. Baba Budan Giri was really really steep climb. We made it till Baba Budan Giri by 4:30PM. We decided to climb further till the Menaka Dhara. Some 6kms more from Baba Budan peeth. After we reached Menaka Dhara I made myself clear that I need to be here. It was not that I was tired of driving but the view really made me to fall in love with. When I told this to Suneet he was little depressed since he wanted to explore more and spend the night time in Kemenagundi. But I choose not to drive in the night.

    We asked local shop walas and they were ready to help us with our dinner needs etc. We kept our bags and everything in the shop. Parked our bikes. And did some trekking. Man the wind was. I felt as if I had little lesser wight I could have been overthrown from the ground. It was tremendous, barbaric. The existence of only grasses in the top of the hill is very easy to understand, its the wind that doesn't allow trees to grow big. The biggest adventure in our trip was when we noticed a dead buffalo half eaten up by tiger. Suneet was on his cloud number 9. He was more thrilled to be there than me. We put our tents near the shops since the wind didnt allow us to do elsewhere. By night it grew chilly at the hill top. Asraf family took the whole responsibility of helping us. Sitting on the top of hill, seeing the twinkling millions of stars above our head and the glittering chikmaglur city lights down the hills, Mr Asraf brought cups of tea for us. Woha what else do we need. After a while me and Suneet were having our OH sessions when we met the forest ranger Lalu. He came to check the corpse of half eaten Buffalo. He said Tigers generally come back to their feed. So we needed to be little careful since the corpse was hardly one and half kms away. With the OH gulping throug our throats we heard his stories about the jungle and the tiger. The dinner was ready. Parothas, aalu ki sabji and omlettes. After dinner again a cup of tea before we go to sleep. While both of us were in tent we could sense the majestic feel of the nature. The wind grew more and both were wondering to see us flying high when we woke up :).

    The next morning was inexplicable. It was superb view. Suneet was busy enjoying the scene. Mr Asraf prepared the tea. And we had idis in our breakfast. All the stuff for idlis an chatnis were grinded by hand only. We packed our stuff and were back on the road again. The breathtaking view was never ending. We were back on Kemenagundi road and driving through the dense dense forest. Some small water stream were worth to stop for a while and enjoy its chillness. Then suddenly we came out of the serene dense forest and high moutains stood with their pride covered all with grass in front of us. We reached Kemenagundi by 10:30AM. We did a trek till Z-point. It was really shocking to see Kemenagundi, my idea of Kemenagundi was similar to that of Ooty. But the place is still untouched by humans and its nutural beauty is still kept intact. By 12:00 noon we decided to get driving to reach Bangalore. We covered Kalhatti falls while coming back. We decided on taking the Birur, Tumkur NH206 on our way back. The roads are in good condition. Quite a ride we had.