Conquered Marisimik La- World Unofficial Highest Motorable Road at 18634 Feet Marisimik La at 18634 feet is world unofficial highest motorable road though there are many theories and arguments about highest motorable roads who cares about it it's all about conquering it.
With Gypsy's in our hand does not means it's easy to climb, it requires offroading skills to navigate final 2 KM hurdle with snow,slush,stream,boulders and lack of oxygen.
On 21st June 2009 after getting permission from DC we began our journey, road to marisimik la is just before starting of Pangong Tso lake(Lukung), first town is Pobrang Village which is small and beautiful village with stream flowing on one side. Road to M-la is never marked because there is no road and its very near to China border. There is ITBP check post where one has to submit the permit before proceeding to M-la, we where welcome inside the camp and officer in-charge asked twice are you guys really want to climb M-la and our answer was affirmative, he explained us the route with clear instruction saying final 2 KM do not venture if it's slush and there is no backup help until evening we told OK but me and Vijay are offroaders so seeing slush and returning back was never in our thought.
It's 22 KM from Pobrang village with no roads only trails left by army trucks and we can choose any track, the road until base camp is dirt track with full of dust so me and Vijay had to keep distance. Until base camp any 2WD SUV also can go depends upon driver skills but final hurdle requires 4WD with low gear ratio.
No doubt Gypsy's are made for Himalaya region with light weight it cruised through dirt and sand track with easy. On the way we met environmentalist or naturalist name Ashwini who is doing project on animal(forgot the name) who has camped here in these mountains for many days with extreme climate hats of him. He explained the region surroundings and how close are we to China Border. Until base camp it's normal offroading trail with stream crossing while looking from far the final climb look easy.
Final hurdle what a climb it was with bends, slush, snow, boulders and no oxygen but not once my Gypsy got stalled had to put 1st low and I took it in one momentum final 2 KM. When reached at the top what a feeling it was conquering Marismik La. Marking signs at M-la need to be painted again it's faded due to snow. For 5 min waiting and no signs of Vijay's Gypsy took a small walk to look down but photo session was going on at base camp and I return back at crawling speed to my Gypsy walking even 20 steps makes you feel exhausted had to sit down for a while. Vijay was thrilled and overjoyed after reaching top, had good photo session and it was time to return back.
Salute to our brave army mens who are protecting us from neighboring countries at extreme hostile conditions, staying only for 20 minutes at M-la realized me what extreme conditions it was.
Photos to follow..
Last edited by Sha : 14th July 2009 at 22:41.
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