Mother of All "Ghats"?

PhrozenFire · 5th August 2008, 13:49

These are the Gata loops en route to Morey plains right? It is truly breathtaking. I had gone there back in June '05, and its a drive I will remember all my life!

shrivz · 5th August 2008, 13:54

Sikkim is truly a beautiful state! lovely ghats! The pics posted by cyclops are of the route from Gangtok to Changu Lake.. I shall dig up my archives and post pics once I get back home from work..

bblost · 5th August 2008, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclops

You could'nt find enough space to take a U-Turn on your bike! Now thats funny!

The ledge I was on was less than 4 feet in width.
As I said it was a freaky incident.

My wife absolutely refused to get off the bike as there was not much space.
Cannot blame her as it was quite scary.

The only thing I could do was put the bike in first gear and use engine braking while I got it down.

taught me a good lesson.
any questions on why my id reads bad boy lost aka bblost.

cyclops · 5th August 2008, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

My wife absolutely refused to get off the bike as there was not much space.
Cannot blame her as it was quite scary.

okay, this is be the reason that u could not take a U-turn!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrivz

Sikkim is truly a beautiful state! lovely ghats! The pics cyclops has posted is of the route from Gangtok to Changu Lake.. I shall dig up my archives and post pics once I get back home from work..

bang on.. it is indeed the way to Changu or Tsomgo lake (whatever they call it) from gangtok.!

tsk1979 · 5th August 2008, 14:09

The most entertaining high speed ghat section I have driven on in India is "Thompur Ghats" near BLR.
Among the toughest I have done is chansal pass. Jalori Pass and Hatu peak. Ooty 36 hairpin bend is also somwhat challenging for first time drivers.

Internationally the "Old Priest grade" and some Big sur sections are quite nice.

anupmathur · 5th August 2008, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Among the toughest I have done is chansal pass. Jalori Pass and Hatu peak.

Tanveer, eagerly waiting for the travelogues!!

breezydrive · 5th August 2008, 20:47

Having travelled in almost entire himachal & uttranchal, certain scenes are worh remebering.
One of the most scenic ghat sections i came across recently was Srinagar -Gulmarg section, particularly TANGMARG - GULMARG portion.
Our Zen ( with me, wifey & daughter on board) did Delhi- Pathankot- Srinagar - Gulmarg -Baramulla - Pathankot - Delhi in last week of June & we were lucky to escape from Kashmir just before the current disturbance began!

anupmathur · 5th August 2008, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezydrive

Our Zen ( with me, wifey & daughter on board) did Delhi- Pathankot- Srinagar - Gulmarg -Baramulla - Pathankot - Delhi in last week of June & we were lucky to escape from Kashmir just before the current disturbance began!

What luck! You'll be very glad about this for many years to come!

phamilyman · 6th August 2008, 10:22

I would fully agree. The pleasure in ascending Jalori through almost all snow is unbeatable. Doing it on a bike is even more fun

Fwd: on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Fwd: on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

And yeah, Gulmarg was on my radar last year, but job made me do just the leh circuit in a week only.

anupmathur · 6th August 2008, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

The pleasure in ascending Jalori through almost all snow is unbeatable.

Ah! Therein lies the rub!
Most people do not understand the sheer imperative of choosing the month of year for touring in the Himalayas!
I went to Jalori recently and it was a cakewalk!
Try the same in Feb or March - the results will vary unimaginably!

The same applies for Manali-Leh at end-May or July. The latter is a breeze!

Bullfrog · 6th August 2008, 15:05

I am surprised no one has put up Dimbam ghat between Asanur and Sathyamangalam !!

Anyway it is one of the ghats with fantastic scenery. First time experience of driving on the opposite of the road in corners when you meet huge trucks is truly unforgettable

vnabhi · 6th August 2008, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclops

bang on.. it is indeed the way to Changu or Tsomgo lake (whatever they call it) from gangtok.!

It's also called Tssangpo lake. I have a picture of the milestone near the lake that says so.

cyclops · 6th August 2008, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi

It's also called Tssangpo lake. I have a picture of the milestone near the lake that says so.

Surprising.. in the attached pic, you can see both the spellings used, Tsomgo and Changu (on the sumo). I was not aware of the third one!

5th August 2008, 13:49	#31
PhrozenFire BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 267 Thanked: 5 Times	These are the Gata loops en route to Morey plains right? It is truly breathtaking. I had gone there back in June '05, and its a drive I will remember all my life!
	() Thanks

5th August 2008, 13:54	#32
shrivz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pune, MH12 Posts: 604 Thanked: 96 Times View My Garage	Sikkim is truly a beautiful state! lovely ghats! The pics posted by cyclops are of the route from Gangtok to Changu Lake.. I shall dig up my archives and post pics once I get back home from work.. Last edited by shrivz : 5th August 2008 at 14:10.
	() Thanks

5th August 2008, 14:09	#35
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,823 Times View My Garage	The most entertaining high speed ghat section I have driven on in India is "Thompur Ghats" near BLR. Among the toughest I have done is chansal pass. Jalori Pass and Hatu peak. Ooty 36 hairpin bend is also somwhat challenging for first time drivers. Internationally the "Old Priest grade" and some Big sur sections are quite nice.
	() Thanks

5th August 2008, 20:47	#37
breezydrive BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NOIDA Posts: 750 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	Having travelled in almost entire himachal & uttranchal, certain scenes are worh remebering. One of the most scenic ghat sections i came across recently was Srinagar -Gulmarg section, particularly TANGMARG - GULMARG portion. Our Zen ( with me, wifey & daughter on board) did Delhi- Pathankot- Srinagar - Gulmarg -Baramulla - Pathankot - Delhi in last week of June & we were lucky to escape from Kashmir just before the current disturbance began!
	() Thanks

6th August 2008, 10:22	#39
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,641 Times	I would fully agree. The pleasure in ascending Jalori through almost all snow is unbeatable. Doing it on a bike is even more fun Fwd: on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Fwd: on Flickr - Photo Sharing! And yeah, Gulmarg was on my radar last year, but job made me do just the leh circuit in a week only.
	() Thanks

6th August 2008, 15:05	#41
Bullfrog BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 194 Thanked: 113 Times	I am surprised no one has put up Dimbam ghat between Asanur and Sathyamangalam !! Anyway it is one of the ghats with fantastic scenery. First time experience of driving on the opposite of the road in corners when you meet huge trucks is truly unforgettable
	() Thanks