Madikeri: While trekking up mountains is a passion for many, a youth from Kodagu has taken that passion to an extraordinary level by climbing the district’s highest peak a hundred times.

Areyada Girish Thimmaiah from Paadi village near Napoklu has achieved the rare feat of scaling Thadiyandamol, the tallest mountain in Kodagu, 100 times.

Rising to a height of 1,748 metres above sea level in the Western Ghats, Thadiyandamol is considered one of the most challenging treks in the region. Climbing it even once requires endurance and determination. Doing it a hundred times is a remarkable accomplishment.

Girish’s fascination with the mountain dates back to the early 1990s. Around 1994, when foreign tourists frequently visited Kodagu to trek to Thadiyandamol, their enthusiasm inspired him to take up the challenge. What began as curiosity soon turned into a lifelong passion.

However, the journey was not without setbacks. A few years ago, Girish had to stop trekking altogether after undergoing spinal surgery.

“Climbing up is easier, but descending is far more difficult. Perhaps the strain during the descent worsened my back pain,” he recalled.

The trek to Thadiyandamol is also known for its wildlife encounters. Trekkers often come across herds of elephants, darting deer, tiger tracks and droppings, and the forest’s sharp scent.

“To keep wild animals away, we shout, clap and make noise while trekking. At times, it feels like life itself is at risk, but that is what makes the experience so thrilling,” Girish said.

Girish is the son of Areyada Ponnappa Ganapathi and Lakshmi Subbavva. He completed his education at Maharaja’s Junior College under the University of Mysore.