Camping above the clouds – Idalgashinna

Idalgashinna has been in my bucket list for a while. It is considered as relatively an easy hike and specially I wanted to do the rail hike from Ohiya to Idalgashinna which I missed during the trek from Pattipola to Ohiya. So, we planned camping at Idalgashinna on the second day after the camping at Bambragala pathana.

We took a tuk tuk from Bambaragala pathana where he dropped us at Namunukula. We had some morning tea and took a bus from Namunukula and got down at Ella. At Ella we met Thiwanka’s friends and decided to go to Idalgashinna in their car. But unfortunately, when we were about 5km away the villager’s said that the car can’t go on the road. So, me and Thiwanka said goodbye to his friends and we took a tuk tuk to Idalgashinna station. As said by the villagers, the road was broken, and we had a bumpy ride on the tuk tuk which was a real pain to our asses. The roads apparently are to be maintained by the estate, but they haven’t done anything for the construction as their lorries have no issue to travel.

We got down at the station. Thiwanka’s Gopro was nearly dead so he gave it to a shop to charge. We ordered lunch from the shop and went to the station. This was my first time in the station. So, we spent some time roaming and getting information about the trains on the next day. It was realtively a nice station with flowers grown and with clean toilets. A train was to come in 40 minutes, so we waited as we wanted to take some photos. The first thing we noted was a group of about 15 people getting down with tents and other utensils. At once both of us knew that they are going to camp there. We knew the space at the top of Idalgashinna was not enough to camp for all. And in fact, there were several others which we saw planning to go and camp. I insisted Thiwanka to go soon and get a place otherwise we would not be able to get a chance to camp.

So, we went to the shop and had our lunch. That home cooked meals were one of the tastiest meals that I have eaten. The shop was run by a Tamil uncle and he had two daughters whom I believe that cook the meals. He was a nice man and he told us to come down if we can’t find a place so that he will give a place in his land for us to camp. So we filled our water bottles, got some wade and started climbing uphill.

It was not a difficult climb but was steep. I started moving nonstop Thiwanka also followed and later lead the way as we saw many other groups were climbing. My sole intention was to reach the top before the others so that we could find a place to camp. So, in about good 20 minutes we were at the top camping place. Already 3 tents were set up and there was some place remaining, Thiwanka was so quick he just jumped and started clearing the site. Had it not been for him, we would not have had the chance to camp there where we would have missed a lot. We were in such a hurry that we immediately start setting up the tent without even levelling the land and setting up the Gopro for a vide. The ground was worse than the night before with rocks underneath, but we had to be satisfied. When we were finishing another group of Muslim guys came whom we passed on the way up. They also immediately set their camp, but they were so methodical and neat, evening the ground, putting pines underneath the tent to have a soft smooth floor and they even had a hammock. So, by evening there were about 6 tents on the top in that limited space and I knew my peace of mind would be gone.

The view from the top looked amazing. But the mist kept coming and disappearing, so it was needed to hold the camera and wait if we were to get some good shots. Thiwanka was running up and down with the Gorpro. Luckily when the mist cleared, we could get a good glimpse of the view below. Even the Idalgashinna railway station was visible. Although we could not see the sunset, we had a nice view from the top.

As the night came, the cold also followed with it. The tents became active. All others except the two of us began preparing meals, lighting up a fire, setting up the BBQ. We could hear loud talking from everywhere. Everyone was planning to have a drink and we regret not having a beer can to spend the night as we knew it will be colder than the night before at Bambaragala Pathana. There were so many on that day at the top as the space was not enough many camped on the way and some below the usual camping site. We could hear talk from all over like a marketplace. Then people started drinking and singing, different melodies and rhythms coming from every side.

We settled ourselves to our precious meal wade, bread, butter and seeni sanbal while others were cooking chicken, sausages and rice. We had nothing to drink except water. Thiwamka was roaming maybe he thought that someone will share with us some of the food. But it was we that shared our seeni sambal with them. It was a very disturbed night. Filthy words, sex talk, shouting, fighting all over. I went into the tent but these disturbances in addition to the uneven ground floor did not allow me to sleep. Thiwanka also joined in a little while. We had to sleep in opposite direction to avoid stones hurting our backs.

It was almost a sleepless night as the chit chat from all sides could be heard easily. The cold was also getting bitter and even without a blanket and a proper jersey we survived the night. We set the alarm to see the sunset but initially all was covered with mist. But in half an hours’ time everything cleared.

My !!! that was worth all the trouble that we had during the night. It was as if we were above the clouds. It was like an ocean where clouds were forming ripples and waves. I always believed that I am so lucky to witness such beauty through my naked eye. Me and Thiwanka was so happy and excited. We were clicking our cameras, phones and Gopro to catch whatever possible so that we can reproduce for others to see. In a few minutes we saw the sun rising through the clouds like a ball of fire. The sky became shades of yellow, red, orange and it was so pleasing to the naked eyes.

That was the morning we had, and we wanted to do the railway hike, so we decided to dismantle the tents and go down soon with the intention of catching with Thiwanka’s friends who were lodging at Ohiya. So, we changed our selves quickly. Although both me and Thiwanka wanted to have a poop at the top it was too crowded to do so. So, we decided to hold our urge and we got down and went to the same shop where we charged our cameras and had our breakfast before we started the rail hike to Ohiya which I was so adamant to do and Thiwanka also agreed.

One thing to mention is the dogs. One dog accompanied us throughout the hike. Although I am not a fan of dogs and Thiwanka is (He has a big one at home) he petted the dog and gave it food. This is common incident in most hikes. The village dogs are quite used to the crowds and they accompany people thus become the guides for most.

That is how we ended camping at Idalgashinna. I accept that it was not the perfect camping, but we couldn’t help it because of the timing and the long weekend. But I would say that both of us were lucky to somehow camp at the top and a have a good view from the top including the sunrise.

I hope you enjoyed the writing, and this is a hike you can easily do. But as I always say, have fun, enjoy but ensure that you do not disturb others and the surrounding environment. Thank you for reading and stay safe at home these few days from Corona.