Running an aid station in the Heart of the Forest.

Volunteers are the Heart of any event, the message on WhatsApp read. For someone like me who thrives on adventure, uncertainty, organizing, and being in the great outdoors, this is an opportunity to satisfy my soul while assisting my friends who are the organizers of The Eastern Trail Series - Happy Forest run.

The event took place in Kondapalli forest, a vast 33,000-acre expanse nestled in the Eastern Ghats. The dedicated organizing team had diligently placed signboards and cleared the trail the day before. It was then our turn, as volunteers, to take on the most critical task: managing an aid station deep within the heart of the forest.

Our responsibility was to operate this vital aid station, located in the very midst of the forest. We embarked on a journey, driving deep into the woods, carrying an array of water containers, refreshments, a first-aid kit, tents, and prepared to spend the night.

We inquired with local residents for the most accessible route into the forest. Their amazement at our plans to stay overnight was evident. They tried to dissuade us with tales of ghosts, wild animals, and the seemingly impassable trail. Even the choice of my Honda Shine motorcycle didn't deter us. Nothing could deter us from our mission, and so our adventure commenced.

While maneuvering with care, I managed to retain a vivid recollection of my thoughts during our drive into the forest. Initially, the sounds around us were hushed, and there was a refreshing coolness despite the scorching sun.

Along the way, we crossed paths with peacocks, scorpions, crabs, tortoises, langurs, monkeys, and a variety of Flora and Fauna, although we couldn't afford much attention to them.

Amidst the cautious navigation through muddy streams, uneven trails, and narrow paths teeming with thorny bushes, we eventually reached our destination. My motorcycle's mudguard was caked with mud, a testament to the rugged terrain we had traversed.

Our chosen location was a tribal temple, where we decided to set up our tents and establish the aid station for the approaching event. While I cleared the floor of dry twigs, my partner guarded our supplies from the curious monkeys that had gathered.

As the clock struck 6:00 PM, and with no mobile signals, we patiently awaited the arrival of the second group, who were supposed to join us and bring food.

The run was scheduled to begin at 4:30 AM the following day, and we anticipated having ample time to soak in the forest's beauty. However, an unexpected guest appeared - mosquitoes. In response, we promptly set up our tents, stowed our belongings, and covered ourselves completely to ward off these pesky insects.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and hunger combined with solitude made for a challenging mix. The forest grew dark, shrouded in an eerie stillness as it settled into slumber. 

Yet, the one silver lining was the presence of a full moon. The trees seemed to glow, as if they were painted with radium, the sky glittered with stars, and the moonlight created a path through the clouds, streaming down to us through the thick foliage.

Under the enchanting moonlit forest canopy, we roamed while waiting for our anticipated meal. We lay on our backs, gazing at the moon, drifting in and out of sleep, occasionally jolting awake at the loud chirping of crickets, hoping that someone would eventually come.

At midnight, it became apparent that no one was arriving, so we retreated to our tents in an attempt to catch some rest. Just as I was on the verge of falling asleep, a distinct voice pierced the air. It was unmistakably human, prompting me to wake my partner from sleep.

The time was 01:30 AM, and a group of six emerged with lanterns and bags, bearing food for us. We assisted them in setting up their tents, and just as we were about to sit down to eat, a torrential downpour suddenly commenced. 

Our bags, shoes, mobile phones, lanterns – everything got drenched, and we all hurried into our respective tents. I dashed out, gathered our soaked belongings, and rushed back inside the temple. My mobile phone had also been exposed to the rain, thoroughly soaked. I made another dash for it, leaving me drenched to the bone. I shed my wet clothes and resolved not to sleep for the day. 

With rainwater dripping from my hair and beard, I cautiously consumed my meal, unsure of what I was eating since everything had been soaked.

Gradually, everyone else succumbed to slumber. Even though our tent had become inundated with water, we were too exhausted to be perturbed by this. It was 03:30 AM, and we decided to catch an hour of sleep before the much-anticipated run commenced.

The blaring alarm hurted my restless mind. I stepped out of my tent and found peacocks savouring the drizzling wee hours, which provided enough solace. I roused my partner and everyone else from their sleep. Numerous tasks awaited us, as we needed to be prepared for the impending arrival of the runners we were responsible for.

We divided our responsibilities. Some of us set up lights, while others prepared sandwiches with peanut butter and jam, sliced bananas in half, and mixed Fast & Up. In a remarkably short span of time, we had the aid station fully equipped with a range of refreshments, including chikkies, bananas, sandwiches, boiled eggs, Fast & Up, water, and more.

The swift and efficient completion of these tasks momentarily made me forget my earlier discomfort and filled me with a sense of satisfaction. As the runners began to arrive, we greeted them with music, applause, refreshments, and warm smiles.

With the rising sun, the forest started to brighten, and curious monkeys gathered, anticipating a promising day ahead. Some of us were designated to guard our supplies from the monkeys, while others continued to slice bananas and assemble sandwiches, all the while cheering on the runners and replenishing their energy with refreshments.

Although the monkeys attempted to steal food, their efforts were met with varying degrees of success. Frustrated, some of them resorted to climbing the tall trees above us and shaking them, causing dry branches to rain down upon us in apparent retaliation.

Soon, a warning whistle echoed from the woods, prompting us to rush to the location where we discovered a runner had twisted their ankle. We assisted him to the aid station but realized our first aid supplies were lacking, and we had no means to contact the event organizers due to the absence of mobile signals. 

I checked the first aid kit on my motorcycle, but it contained no useful items. After a thorough search, I found a balm in my backpack, which offered some relief to the injured runner.

Despite our own fatigue and hunger, our spirits remained high as we observed the unwavering determination of the runners. Men and women of various ages and backgrounds ran with enthusiasm, and witnessing their enjoyment of the trail brought us immense joy.

The return journey posed a daunting challenge, particularly after the relentless downpour the previous night had left the trail even muddier. My Honda Shine's ability to navigate the route back was uncertain.

After the last runner departed from our aid station, we packed up everything, shared the leftovers with the monkeys, and embarked on our journey back. 

With careful maneuvering, occasionally lifting my motorcycle off the ground, and placing rocks in the muddy pools to create a makeshift path, bending and lifting our heads to escape the thorny bushes, we successfully made our way back.

Our shirts were in tatters, our sun-kissed legs and arms bore numerous cuts, and our minds had known no respite, yet our hearts were brimming with happiness as we re-entered the contemporary world.

It had been a day thoroughly well-lived, with the forest revealing both its most serene and demanding aspects within the span of a single day.