Friday 1 January 2016

Boulders Speak

Hiking in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad abound with rocks, boulders and hills-- fit for hiking. Sadly many of these rocks and bouldery hills have been destroyed in the garb of development. However, few of the boulders and rocks still remain. One such landmark is Gun Rock Hill in Secunderabad. Ghumakkad had previously taken you to Moula Ali Hill (click here to read the story) also in Hyderabad.



Secunderabad named after Nawab Sikander Jah, was formed in 1798 after signing of an alliance between the Nizam and the East India Company. According to Coreena Suares' article in The Deccan Chronicle, "A water tank was built above the Gun Rock Hill to supply water to the military cantonment area and other defence establishments. The centuries-old water storage tank earlier supplied water to areas including Lal Bazaar also." This old water tank, though looks dilapidated, continues to be in use. See the pictures below.
 

The Gunrock Hill is a good spot for bouldering with both small and large boulders. Ghumakkad went for a hike on 27th December 2015 with student members of Prakriti प्रकृति , the environment club of Icfai Business School, Hyderabad. Having founded the Club in 2004, it was heartening to see its growth over the years. Pictures of the hike tell its own story.



The hill and its surroundings are in a state of neglect. Sadly, the residents of nearby bastis बस्ती (slum) use the approach path for open defecation. So be cautious if you start the climb early in the morning! Fortunately, our climb commenced after 8AM as the bus got delayed.

More pictures of the hike follow.







The view form top of the hill is truly breath taking.



Boulders tell their own story. A story full of challenges in life, how to remain steadfast, how to maintain balance even in tough times and how to weather a storm. In a way 'boulders speak'!




Taking a cue from the beauty of boulders, a golf course has been named 'The Boulder Hills Golf Club' in Gachibowli area of Hyderabad.

Thanks Prakriti IBS Hyderabad for inviting your founder faculty to join the hike. I enjoyed the morning with all of you. Continue your passion for being with Nature.



As Sir Edmund Hillary said, "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves".


Good bye till the next hike.
Thanks for browsing.
Happy New Year to you.

  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 1st Jan 2016

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