[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by mr.sinha

Most of the cars left on the roadside in the USA are gasoline or petrol cars, whereas in India there is a preponderance of diesel vehicles. Diesel starts clouding at 0 deg C, and 'gel'-ing at -9.5 deg C (unless suitable additives are added). Truckers who ply under extreme wintry conditions use additives which prevents this 'gel'-ing and hence makes the engine operable. Petrol has a much much lower 'gel'-ing point, and a freezing point of -120 to -150 deg F.
Hope this explains.

I also understand that all diesel sold in Ladakh region has these additives in it when you buy it in the fuel pumps. Petrol cars do not face as much trouble starting in low temperatures, as Mr Sinha explains. This was evidenced by the cars in our trip.

[hvkumar]

One question that has been asked about our drive - how did you keep in touch with each other?

Mobile connectivity did not exist in most places.

We were all travelling together most of the time in visual contact.

The Mumbai Roadsters had a trunk radio between the 2 Swifts, so they had their own communications platform - they were continually informing each other about various things.

For the other cars, we did have trunk radios too, but we had some battery charging problems (something to do with US vs. Indian 110 vs 120) which meant that we could not recharge the radios often.

We had several stops en route, mostly for photography sessions, and during such halts we used to discuss route issues and next-halt plans, so whenever the lead car stopped at a tea stall or dhaaba, the rest knew that a break had been declared!!!

[KSM-Vtec]

The Last Evening in Kaza....

8 days into the trip we had driven almost 3000kms, we had been stuck in Kaza for 3 full days and 4 nights in one place. (BTW this was my first time on a road trip where I had spent 3days in one place) Yes we did have a great time eating the best food & enjoying the best views but something was wrong. Each day the locals would tell us that the road to Gramphoo will open tonight or latest tomorrow morning and in the process we had already lost 3 days.

Left with no other choice on 19th evening we (The Mumbai Roadsters) decided that we will not squander away any more time and on 20th early morning if the road ahead doesn’t open we will turn back and head for Leh via Srinagar. HVK was also thinking on similar lines because we were getting into a situation where we had used up all the buffer days and we wouldn’t have much time left to do what we had come for.

A few hours later while we were sitting around the dinner table celebrating Lalu’s birthday we got a call from SPK and the best news was given to us!! SPK had crossed Kunzum La and made it to Gramphoo!!! But the bad news was that SPK was almost sure that the hatchbacks cant do this section.

If a Bolero Stinger 4X4 can do it in 4L then the Swifts can do it for sure!! I am sure you must be wondering how we concluded that, well the answer is simple – We were part of the IPHE2011 team where Manpower is more powerful than Horsepower!! With the encouragement and confidence boost from HVK and all the others in the team we decided to go for it.

After a lot of confusing and uncertain times spent in Kaza we were all set to head towards Gramphoo (located on the Manali Leh Highway). Thank God we dint have to go all around via Srinagar.

It was not going to be easy and we had to train ourselves to be patient and tackle each obstacle with utmost care. Remember the Stinger did a few sections in 4L, this was serious stuff. Time was going to be a constraint but our utmost priority was safety of the cars. One hasty, foolish, careless move could cost us to turn back/stay back in the middle of nowhere without any connectivity.

What next?? We go back to our hotel after dinner and start packing/loading the cars in the night itself since we had to leave early morning. Oh wait, we have a problem! Most of you will know; the Swift has a very different anchor for towing. The towing hook has threading on one side and has to be screws into a slot on the chassis thru the bumper and there is no other option to anchor a towing rope if needed. The bad news was we DID NOT have even one of those screw type towing hooks.

Without wasting time we decided to look around and for a substitute and we found a lot of nylon rope used for drying clothes. We made a loop with almost 20 layers of that nylon rope and passed it via the slot on the chassis. It was dark and very cold, we worked with torches at 11:30PM hoping that this temporary towing hook we had made will not let us down.



By about 12:30AM on 20th Aug and we were all set and we went to sleep excited the first convoy drive to our next destination the next day.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by KSM-Vtec

We were part of the IPHE2011 team where Manpower is more powerful than Horsepower!!

The statement of the trip!! Well said

We made a loop with almost 20 layers of that nylon rope and passed it via the slot on the chassis. It was dark and very cold, we worked with torches at 11:30PM hoping that this temporary towing hook we had made will not let us down.

This was the best time spent as was to be seen in the coming days!

[BolBolero]

Guys,

The days spent in and around Kaza, even though an enforced break, were very well utilized I think. Imagine the time you got, to visit the various places in and around Kaza and that too at such a leisurely pace. The photographs are ample proof of the same.

@laluks, superlative photographs. And what a way to spend your Birthday sir! Though I admit having the family around would have been great too!

@HVK, staying at Kaza for three whole days, must have been some sort of record for you I guess! But that is how unpredictable it can get in the mountains! But, the time was very well spent and sort of R & R before the next part of the expedition.

@KSM-Vtec,
"We were part of the IPHE2011 team where Manpower is more powerful than Horsepower!! With the encouragement and confidence boost from HVK and all the others in the team we decided to go for it."
Wish there was a super like that could be appended to this statement!
Very ingenious solution to the tow hook problem I should say! BTW way where did you manage to source that much of Nylon rope so late in the evening?

On a slightly different note, it must have been a little sad to see so many of the cars/ members dropping. But then again the excitement of continuing forward on the journey through Kunzum La would have been a great morale
booster!

August 20th.,
All I can say is, "WHAT A DRIVE GUYS" The photographs of the Chota Dhara road (or rather the lack of it) looks pretty scary! Great team work and a little "Divine Intervention" went a long way in you doing the drive in such a fantastic time I guess!
Kudos to all you guys!

[KSM-Vtec]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The statement of the trip!! Well said

Originally Posted by BolBolero

@KSM-Vtec,
"We were part of the IPHE2011 team where Manpower is more powerful than Horsepower!! With the encouragement and confidence boost from HVK and all the others in the team we decided to go for it."
Wish there was a super like that could be appended to this statement!

Thanks a lot Guys!!
But we all know that each and every team member contributed to the success of this trip (i should call it learning experience) in many ways...not just this situation.

Originally Posted by BolBolero

Very ingenious solution to the tow hook problem I should say! BTW way where did you manage to source that much of Nylon rope so late in the evening?

GB i was intentionally trying to hide the details about the source of the rope, but now that you have asked us this question let me confess. We flicked it in the darkness of the night from the terrace of the hotel we were staying in But we had no other choice either at that time in the night.

[raul]

This thread is epic! the scenery, the landscape and the skies are breath taking! Its a page turner and it takes a lot of time to actually read through, see the pics and share in the experience, perhaps one reason why not many folks have posted. We just want to read what's happening next.

Applause and respect once again to HVKumar for his encyclopedic knowledge on this region and his wanderlust. Its an example and a motivation for us to do this asap.

I am definitely joining any trip planned for next year. It's simply a complete and unacceptable waste if one doesn't do this at least once. Thanks to the team for the pictures and the consistently engaging posts. Cheers

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by raul

This thread is epic! the scenery, the landscape and the skies are breath taking! Its a page turner and it takes a lot of time to actually read through, see the pics and share in the experience, perhaps one reason why not many folks have posted. We just want to read what's happening next.

Applause and respect once again to HVKumar for his encyclopedic knowledge on this region and his wanderlust. Its an example and a motivation for us to do this asap.

I am definitely joining any trip planned for next year. It's simply a complete and unacceptable waste if one doesn't do this at least once. Thanks to the team for the pictures and the consistently engaging posts. Cheers

Make that two of us, i am definitely in if there are plans for a similar trip next year...

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Make that two of us, i am definitely in if there are plans for a similar trip next year...

And by the time that next year plan comes up, I am sure there will be at least two zeros added to this number two!! Ladhak is going to be filled with cars next year!! Let's see how many of us finally manage to make it.

IPHE2011 team, enjoying the story and pics..

[BolBolero]

Day4: Amritsar to Srinagar 20th. August 2011

While the IPHE team were undertaking their epic journey from Kaza to Jispa, we left at around the same time, i.e: 5:00 am. for a very straightforward drive from Amritsar to Srinagar.
A small tea break after the Pathankot Bypass and by around 7:35 am we had crossed into Jammu & Kashmir from Punjab.

Bridge over River Ravi between Madhopur (Punjab) & Lakhanpur (J & K)



Another stop at Chadwal, to check on the location of the turn at Dyala Chak, and while there, refreshed ourselves with some more tea. Reached the turn off at Dyala Chak at 8:20am.
Roads and views between Dyala Chak and Udhampur on the Jammu Bypass (shortcut)









This stretch had some villages with some interesting names; Dinga Amb, Galak, Challan, Khoon.

Jammu - Udhampur Railway line.



Foggy conditions at midday between Kud and Patnitop








First view of Chinar trees!





BolBolero Clicking Pics


BolBolero and SS


Twisties leading to the village



Road being rebuilt after a landslide


BolBolero and his Bolero!



To be continued..

[idlebrain]

I read most of the TLs here, some of which depict narrative skills, there are some which depict photography skills, there are some depict driving skills, there are some depict planning skills - but this is a very unique TL which is a perfect blend of all those skills and on top of that team work. Amazing job.

I started feeling envy of each of you guys participated in this expedition.

@Laluks - Enjoying birthday @12,500 Ft is an awesome feeling. Belated birthday wishes.

[KSM-Vtec]

20th August 2011...

All set to roll we reach the hotel where rest of the team was staying for the night..it was 5:30AM and it was still very dark. We regroup, decide the order for the convoy and leave!

It was gonna be the Scorpio, Alto, White Swift, Bolero & then the Silver Swift.





Bolero getting a Mud Bath


The convoy...














Alto in action


The Road Builders


Mumbai Roadsters in Snow for the First time.






YP clearly couldn't get enough of it.






Men and their Machines














Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul










To be cont....

[KSM-Vtec]

Let the pictures do the talking.....

[KSM-Vtec]

Some videos for the Kaza-Jispa section..

Mumbai Roadsters IPHE11 - Towing Yogen's Swift - River Crossing - YouTube

IPHE11 - Taxi Sumo - River Crossing - YouTube

IPHE11 Bike and Baby Alto River Crossing - YouTube

IPHE11 - Yogens Swift River Crossing - YouTube

IPHE11 - Snow - Lake - Baby Alto - YouTube

[gajadonga]

Fantastic travelogue it feels almost traveling along.
Initially to start with monotonously I started reading the travelogue with all
the places names looking weird and unheard.The pictures were just speaking
for themselves less driven tracks.After reaching Kaza the story started slowing down and the curiosity started growing.
So started google maps to know where these places are and then the interest
really started.It was nice that laluks is mentioning the routes at every outset.
Kaza description was very good.
A lot of patience and perseverance had made this trip a success.
Hats off to all of you guys.