[kpzen]

All set to conquer Sarchu

[ramkya1]

The section after Pang was real wild, not unlike the canyon land of US in many ways, unbound adventure for the soul. Huge snowcapped mountains, live water falls, rainbows, natural formations unlike anything you would see in the world, frozen waterfalls, frozen lakes; white, green, shades of brown, you imagine it you can have the colour if you just look for it. 197 kms on, We summit Lachung La and another 12 kms on Naki La, another 32 kms on come to the famous Gatta Loops; its a great sight to see the 30 odd loops spiraling 10 kms down in sharp turns, thankfully the surface was OK. We pass Whisky Nulla and Brandy Nullah, drive along the beautiful river Tsarap. All along the road, the embankmants were cut into formations, we had to stop for photos, anyone would. Reach HP border, sighn in reach Sarchu 0 point at 6 PM, we need to search for our tent of the night, Gold Drop Camp. Another 9 kms on, we were there, lots of tents around here.

The temp was already down to around 5, the wind was pretty chilly, the scope of getting into another sub-zero night was high. All the woolies were out, my Rock Empire sleeping bag was very handy here, good for -10, I was feeling warm at night while the outside temp was below 0, so we were told the next day morning. Prajesh used cold water, his hands were almost blue and hand to be nursed back to life, I filled jiggys flash with warm water pronto, learning from the experience. The tent had a toilet seperation on the rear side and was OK for the palce, the service was good though the the price of 2700 for the night a bit steep. I started Wolt around 9 to warm it before sleeping and turned its engine away from the wind. We tucked in before 9 pm, from what we had heard, the next day would be a trial by fire.
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[ramkya1]

Hai People and Servers, one last lot for now....... here they come.

[MX6]

Excellent stuff. And the board last fuel station. So no more stations till Manali is it? that's over 400 kms. So the Jerry can needs to be stocked eh?

[akbaree]

Great stuff folks. If it is so much fun to read, I can only imagine all the fun that you all had.

And I have realized (also recalling from tsk1979's travelogue) the brightest part in this region is the sky. As far as it is blue (read clear skies, sun shining), the photographs appear all colorful. And if it's cloudy, everything start appearing pale and dreary. I am not sure of the secret behind this.

[ampere]

The small "hillocks" or "hillets" look like desert penguins made of sand and waiting to burst away.

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by MX6

Excellent stuff. And the board last fuel station. So no more stations till Manali is it? that's over 400 kms. So the Jerry can needs to be stocked eh?

Exactly 353 KMs after that fule station comes the offical next one at Tandi; we were good for another 200 kms with a 55 ltr tank, so we did not stock up. In an emergency, on the way, there would be fuel available on the black market, we saw signs of that everywhere in Ladakh, specailly on the Rangdum road. The locals stock diesel for gensets, pumpsets, tractors and other needs.... the quality? That's a risk you'd have to take.

Ampere, MX6, Taureanbull and others: You ppl have been the inspiration to write, constantly following the tread and posting comments, questions and praises on and off. I know how difficult it's to read my structured ramblings and spend time on it.

When I checked , I find lots of mistakes in spellings and syntax while typing at speed (I am a touch typer, doing extempo on a word pad and copy pasting it here into the shell), no time to do proof-reading and corrections, sorry. Thanks a ton for the support; without you people, the purpose of writing and uploading fades away.

[kpzen]

Originally Posted by MX6

Excellent stuff. And the board last fuel station. So no more stations till Manali is it? that's over 400 kms. So the Jerry can needs to be stocked eh?

There's one on the way which is approx. 300kms from Leh. Manali is 435kms from Leh.

Jerry cans won't be required unless the car gives very low FE. I guess most diesel cars will do at least 500kms on one full tank.

Edit: Damn : We again posted at the same time

[ramkya1]

Originally Posted by kpzen

There's one on the way which is approx. 300kms from Leh. Manali is 435kms from Leh.

Jerry cans won't be required unless the car gives very low FE. I guess most diesel cars will do at least 500kms on one full tank.

Edit: Damn : We again posted at the same time

Great timing !!!!!

That's why our trip went so well; on most issues we thought and acted in synchrony, as a team. You and Jiggy were so low-maintenance, supportive and understanding; priceless in any long-distance adventure car trip where stress can take a toll and people end of having big fights on minor issues.

So when are we doing Padum and Tso Moriri? This September/ October, in a Gypsey we have fixed at Leh?

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[MX6]

The pleasure was mine Ramkya!
I've seen many travelogues here about Leh. I can tell one thing about this logue. It gives a feeling that ordinary people can do that circuit too and whets their appetite.
And no one has captured "Life" in Leh so beautifully as you guys did.
Reading the last line above I felt dismayed that there will be a wait for the Tso Moriri snaps. I remember asking about Tso Moriri shortly after Pangong.
If professional turmoil settles down, I'd like to join you guys for the Padum and Tso Moriri.

[ampere]

I see Leh through you guys. There are contrasting styles on how folks perceive Leh and how they approach it.
Each perception is something new! Thats what I learn and carry forward!

[tsk1979]

Ramky, any particular reason you did not do Nubra-Pangong direct via the new route. AFAIK, by the time you went to leh, the bridge was made.

[Ushuaia]

Spectacularly Vivid!!

Ramky sir, got me back in time (1996) Roadking!

[kpzen]

Cycling in no-man's land - These guys seriously re-define adventure.

[ampere]

Where were these Armstrong's fans coming from ? Amazing internal drive?
But I must say its one hell a setting for a biking trip. What say you?