Here's why this Indian hiker is on a mission to map the Sahyadris

Hiker and cofounder of HikeX Manvendr Singh Shekhawat is in the middle of mapping Indiarsquos first continuous longdistance hiking route spanning 2000 kilometres across Sahyadris The project aims to document historic trails promote responsible exploration and support local livelihoodsAscending the steep rockcut steps of Harihar FortShekhawat recently completed a nineday stretch passing Karoli Ghat near Shinganwadi and is now on his way to Ratangad Beyond forts like Tringalwadi Ratangad Prabalgad among others the trail will link plateaus ridges valleys gullies and lsquoghatvatsrsquo thereby creating a connected mountain experienceExcerpts from an interviewBhandardara water reservoirHow did you chart this 2000kilometre trek What was the motive behind itHaving mapped over 5500 kilometres of Indiarsquos trail network focusing on remote offbeat and noncommercial routes over the past five years I explored Sahyadris extensively covering hundreds of kilometres annually including a 650 kilometres trek in a single month While planning longdistance trails in New Zealand and Israel it made me realise Indiarsquos routes were more complex and severely undocumentedCrossing the gorge of Sandhan ValleyIt is why I stitched together a continuous 2000kilometre trail from Nashik southwards using pilgrimage paths forest tracks cattle trails Britishera tracks and local shortcuts The aim is to show Sahyadris not as a region with isolated forts but as a connected mountain system where every plateau ridge valley and ghatvat ancient narrow and steep trekking routes or mountain passes tells its own storyManvendr Singh Shekhawat between the ghatvats of SahyadrisHow did you train for this trailI have been a fulltime hiker and endurance athlete for more than a decade Training involved both physical and mental preparation Physically I focused on strength endurance posture and correcting personal imbalances Mentally I prepared for uncertainty as longdistance trails rarely go according to a plan Weather changes disappearing paths and fatigue demands adaptability I realised when to slow down listen to my body and make decisionson the move rather than forcing progressFrom left Crossing the Vaitarna Dam with the help of a local expert middle Ratangad Fort right Shekhawat next to the shrine of Mata Kalsubai templeHow do you plan for food water overnight shelter and navigation over long remote stretchesYou donrsquot need to carry your entire world People here are kind and helpful hosts Throughout my nineday journey local hosts were generous and hospitality became part of the trail As far as the stay is concerned I take shelter in village homes temples or schools reflecting how these mountains are lived inA villager prepares rice and lentils during a pitstop along the trailI eat what locals cook supplemented by protein bars salts and homemade snacks such as ladoos and chikki Water management is critical and hence I map sources daily Navigation combines GPS old survey maps and local knowledge as many trails survive only because someonersquos grandmother used them to graze cattle decades agoLog on to askmanav for updates of the trail