Mumbai Trekkers Rescued from Garbett Point After Wrong Turn on Night Trek
In a dramatic early morning rescue operation, two young professional trekkers from Mumbai were safely extracted from the base of Garbett Point in Matheran on Sunday. The incident highlights the perils of trekking without proper guidance in challenging terrains.
Lost in the Darkness: A Trek Gone Awry
The trekkers, identified as Amit Agarwal, 22, from Borivli, and Smriti Jain, 28, from Andheri, embarked on their adventure from Bhivpuri suburban railway station around 1 am. Their plan was to trek through the scenic but demanding paths of the region. However, their journey took a dangerous turn when they mistakenly took a left turn instead of the correct right, leading them to a dead-end on a remote hill opposite their intended destination.
Stranded and disoriented, the duo found themselves at a "no man's point" with little knowledge of how to safely retrace their steps. The area is known for its rugged landscape and has previously reported leopard movements, adding to the risk. Fortunately, they avoided any encounters with wildlife, including snakes, during their ordeal.
Swift Police Response and Guide's Heroics
Realizing their predicament, Agarwal and Jain made an SOS call to the police helpline 'Dial 112', sharing their precise GPS location. This prompt action alerted the Neral police, who sprang into action mode immediately. Police constable Amol Dakhore took charge, coordinating the rescue efforts from the ground.
At approximately 5:30 am, Dakhore contacted Sandip Nirguda, a local guide based at Sagachi Wadi, and provided him with the trekkers' location. Nirguda, demonstrating remarkable dedication, left his home alone and navigated the treacherous terrain to reach the stranded pair. His expertise proved crucial in what turned into a three-hour-long rescue operation.
Nirguda later explained, "The two walked towards the Garbett Point trek after alighting at the suburban station. They were rightly trekking through the hilly terrain but at one point the two had to take a right turn but moved on the wrong path mistakenly to reach the end of the pathway atop a hill." He emphasized that trekking without a guide often leads to such hazardous situations.
Safe Return and Aftermath
By 7 am, the trekkers were safely brought to Nirguda's tribal hamlet, where they were offered water, tea, and biscuits to recover from their exhausting experience. Constable Dakhore noted that Agarwal works for an agri-tech company in Mumbai, while Jain's professional details remain undisclosed. Both are experienced trekkers with a history of past adventures.
Despite the rescue, their trek remained incomplete, and they departed for Mumbai around 8:30 am after completing necessary formalities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparation and local knowledge in outdoor activities. As Nirguda aptly put it, such scenarios underscore why guides are essential for safe trekking in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environments.
