A trek down the lane to Oxe Shoulder (Ethina Bhuja) with Twin Kidoos

_{Journey form Kunti Betta to Ethina Bhuja by Twins}

During the second wave of COVID-19, I introduced kids to the wilderness and hillocks, aiming to connect them with nature. We embarked on their first trek to Bhimana Honke in the Kunti hills range, and it was amazing to see how naturally they took to it - it's like it was ingrained in them! 

While kids their age were busy playing with toys at home or in the park, my twins stood out, thanks to their mountaineer father's influence. On September 21, 2021, they embarked on their first mission to climb a hillock in the Kunti Range - a journey that would spark a lifelong passion. 

The twins surprised everyone, including their dad, with their fearlessness and enthusiasm. They led the way, literally following in their father's footsteps, and climbed without a single complaint. Their excitement was palpable as they explored every nook and cranny, taking in the sights and sounds of nature. 

Master Kriyansh Solanki's narration of their adventure was impressive, detailing everything from the stones to the plants. His twin sister's playful moments added to the joy, like when she had to be coaxed to keep moving! 

Their adventure was a true testament to the power of parental influence and the great outdoors. The twins pushed themselves, navigating through narrow galls, caves, and slabs, finally summiting on Kunti Betta. 

The next adventure was a trek to Chamundi Hills through the forest route, and the twins were thrilled! They made their way through the dense forest, taking in the sights and sounds of nature, and finally emerged at the Nandi statue. From there, they climbed the steps to the temple, and it was truly a remarkable journey, especially for kids their age! 

We had plans to climb Ethina Bhuja, but it kept getting postponed due to logistical challenges. This time, with the twins turning seven, I felt it was the right time to introduce them to the wilderness. My son's only condition was that we trek through the wilderness, not on the roadside, and I was happy to oblige! 

It was November 1, 2025, and we headed to Kadu mane estate, where we had an amazing time exploring the tea gardens. The evening sunset was the cherry on top, making our efforts feel truly worth it. The 3km trek from the living area turned out to be a perfect acclimatization trek for the twins, and watching the sunset from the hillock was an unforgettable experience for them. And to top it off, we enjoyed tea and masala vada at the sunset point - it was pure bliss! 

As dawn broke, we headed back to the living area, where we gathered around a cozy campfire under the moonlit sky. It was lovely to meet and chat with fellow travellers, sharing stories and laughter. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, covering topics from Mysore to local eateries, making us feel like we were among friends. 

After a delicious dinner, we drifted off to sleep to the soothing sounds of crickets, and woke up to the sweet chirping of birds. I woke up my son, and we went for a walk around the building, taking in the serene surroundings. We strolled down to the tea garden, exploring every nook and cranny, and discovered a new building that stole the show. The elevated view was simply breath-taking, and I knew right then that I'd love to come back with friends and stay here again. The cozy atmosphere and immersive natural setting made me feel at one with nature - it was pure bliss! 

It was time to leave Kadumane estate, but we couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance. Our plan was to head out after breakfast, around 7 am, but we got lost in the tranquillity of the place and ended up leaving at 8:40 am. It was tough to tear ourselves away from this slice of paradise - the lush tea gardens, the serene atmosphere, and the sense of connection with nature. Part of me wished we could've spent more time here, soaking in the peace, rather than heading out to Ethina Bhuja amidst the hustle and bustle of trekkers. But we had a plan, and we stuck to it, promising to return whenever the opportunity arises.

On 2^nd Nov 2025, we drove straight to Ethina Bhuja, navigating the roads without Google Maps till Hanbal. Once we switched it on, the GPS took us on a bit of a detour, but we finally arrived at Bettada Bhairaveshwara around 9:50 am. The scenic drive was breath-taking, and capturing the majestic Ethina Bhuja on video was the perfect reward for our efforts! 

We took a moment to breathe, pray, and collect our thoughts before heading to the entry point. The forest watcher snapped a photo of us, checked our tickets, and cautioned us to be careful with the kids, even suggesting we turn back if we weren't up for the climb. But I felt a spark of determination ignite within me - why the negativity? I was confident the kids could do it, and I knew they'd prove everyone right! 

We made our way along the path, spotting a canteen on the left, and promising ourselves a refreshing treat on the way back. The Oxe shoulder, or Ethina Bhuja, loomed ahead, and I pointed out the peak to the kids. They exchanged sceptical glances with my wife - it looked like a long way up! I reassured them with a casual, "It's easy, it's a gradual climb." We trekked on, navigating through the wilderness, climbing up and down, carefully stepping over fallen branches, until we finally emerged into an open area where fluffy clouds played peek-a-boo above us. 

The climb got a bit slippery from here, requiring some caution, but the kids took it in stride. My wife, on the other hand, was finding it a bit tougher, and I could sense her skepticism. She turned to me and said, "How do you people climb?" I chuckled and replied, "Climbing isn't fun, it's a responsibility, especially when you're with a group." 

After the second climb, she finally got a glimpse of the peak and stood there, taking it all in, assessing the challenge ahead. I reassured her, "It's gradual, just traverse, no worries." The last 100 meters were indeed a bit tougher, but we took our time, clicking photos whenever the clouds obligingly parted to reveal the majestic Oxe Shoulder. It was a game of hide and seek, and we had to be quick to capture the perfect shot!

We moved on, single-file, with the Bhuja looming large in the background, and I captured some epic videos to treasure the moment. As we traversed, the bouldering began, and the kids tackled it with ease, needing just a little nudge and guidance. My wife, not one to be left behind, took it as a personal challenge to push through, and with some effort, she conquered it too! 

We finally reached the summit, only to be greeted by a blanket of clouds, obscuring the view. We bundled up in our pullovers, braving the chill, and settled in to wait for the clouds to part. Our patience was rewarded, and we knew that perfect shot was just a matter of time - the valley, the mountains, and our Kannada Rajyotsava flag flying high on the peak, all waiting to be captured! 

With my wife's first trek behind us, we waited patiently for the clouds to part, and then captured that perfect shot with our state's flag proudly walled on the peak. The kids had done Kunti Betta before, but this wilderness trek was a first for them too, and they were beaming with excitement! We took plenty of pics, culminating in a family shot on the peak, with the route behind us. 

As we descended, we ran into some fellow trekkers from Mysore, and exchanged videos and pics - it was a lovely surprise! The shot of us mid-descent, with the 360-degree view, was like having a drone capture the moment! 

Back at the base, we refreshed ourselves with some lemon juice, and the kids couldn't resist craving Maggie noodles (I knew it wasn't the best choice, but). We shared one plate among the four of us, and it was a wrap! 

This trek was a special one - a first for my wife, and a new adventure for the kids. It was amazing to see them explore nature and push their limits. 

By Tiger Solanki

An Ardent Adventure enthusiast.

Former Chairman of Tiger Adventure Foundation