[JeepCaptain]

The last leg of Day 1......























It was 02:30 hours when we reached the Hotel. We were the second last one in the convoy to reach.



Route Map of the Drive from Delhi to Rampur.



Chandigargh to Rampur - Detailed Map - I found this map on the hotel where stayed in Rampur.

[laluks]

Wonderful JeepCaptain. That's a comprehensive photolog of the events of Discovery Bolero and 4x4 Bolero from Kerala till Rampur.

By now all accounts of the vehicles till night fall of 13th August 2011 is done.

Innova reached Rampur first, followed by Baby Alto.
HVK Scorpio and AP Swift reached immediately thereafter.
Discovery Bolero reached Rampur by 02:30hrs, followed by 4x4 Bolero one hour later.

Too much of mile munching, reaching late, tiredness, 20+ days ahead, next day uncertain since HVK wanted to stay back to check the brakes, there were some emotions in the team which needs to be adressed. The Discovery Bolero and 4x4 Bolero had joined the team for the first time physically though we all knew each other from the virtual world. Introductions, how the team spirit was reinforced...wait for the events to unfold.




The Mumbai Roadsters Swifts were still a day behind us. How did they plan to catch up with the convoy...read on.


I would start with the events of Day 03 - 14th August 2011 by today evening.

[Coooolcat21]

Another wonderfull Tl by you.
Superb detailed narration and pictures. Looking forward to the rest of the TL.
Regards

[motomaverick]

wow! so much kms covered by the Boleros and the expidition is yet to begin, awesome set of pics Jeepcaptain

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul

Had a good sleep and woke up by 08:00AM. HVK had already left with VB in search of a good mechanic to address the brake pad issues. Lazed around for a while and packed up and cleared the hotel dues. Breakfast was getting ready and waited for the same. Proper breakfast after 50+ hours. Lovely.

By 10:00hrs HVK returned to the hotel very happy, since the brake pad issue was not a major one.

Since there were some queries and emotions to be addressed in the team as to what lies ahead, JP an experienced NLP consultant decided to have a small exercise to introduce the team to each other and to iron out the differences.

The Session at Rampur


Everybody contributed well to the session


HVK putting a point across


The session indeed did bring the team together and made the enthusiasm levels higher.


HVK briefing the team about the drive ahead




And by 11:00hrs we started from the HPTDC Rampur hotel.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul


Everybody filled up fuel from Rampur


These guys got confused seeing a lot of traffic on road


While the team filled up fuel, I just walked a bit around and saw these views





Everybody is obsessed with cricket!



The road ahead




Landslide prone area. Can you spot AP Swift and 4x4 bolero in the picture?


Hydel projects everywhere


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul


By 12:00hrs we stopped for regrouping




Chief with the youngest and oldest team members



Some pictures from nearby




Some waterfalls




The road ahead


We drove past the greenery fast


We have to go a long way


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul


Some more pictures from the drive




















See how the road is cut through the mountains










A beautiful bridge


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul

Roads started to deteriorate and gave us the feeling the expedition has started








The river looked muddy - shows the amount of water and currents




We reached old Wangtoo Bridge by 14:00hrs





We were given a deserved Tea break for 30 minutes. Lunch - What is that??

HVK Scorpio looks mean


We found a cute doggie on the bridge


Doggie in Tiger suite


Baby Alto (no_enthu_da) liked the cute doggy in tiger clothes


The clean water from a tributary joining the muddy river




By 14:30hrs we moved on after our well deserved tea break


We have another 60Kms to go




continued...
(will continue with the updates by tomorrow, let me catch some sleep. Team please wait for me to finish the days account)

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul

Roads to Sangla


Beautiful


This guy reminded me of Tintin's Snowy.


The one and only 4x4 Bolero Stinger - ain't he looking good?


One of the very few instance where HVK Scorpio followed any vehicle


Chief overtaking Discovery Bolero


Innova parks to let Chief Pass. Yes only the Chief drives in front, mind it .


The roads ahead






continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul

View of the valley




HVK Scorpio waiting for the regrouping


The road ahead to Sangla










We reach Baspa Barrage by 16:00hrs. Chitkul another 28Kms.


Hydel Projects


Apples everywhere


Traditional Stuff


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul


We stopped to have a good look at the Baspa Valley


HVK is quite happy


Akaush is very happy too. Indeed that was such a beautiful sight


The beautiful Baspa Valley








The Baspa River - Last time I saw her she was blue, and beautiful


We followed her to Chitkul



The roads ahead


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul

Roads from Sangla to Chitkul


We crossed some rivulets of Baspa


HVK Scorpio Posing for a Picture


The stream


Beautiful - Chitkul is known for old traditional wood houses


Another rivulet


Nostalgic



Beautiful fields - I was told it was maize








PWD Rest House Chitkul


We reached the destination for the night - Panchali Guest house by 17:45hrs.

Jeep Captain with a friendly Doggie. Baby Alto behind



continued..

[laluks]

Day 03
14th August 2011
Rampur to Chitkul


I was told we will leave Chitkul next day after breakfast by 08:00hrs. Already it was 18:00hrs. I felt a void in my mind. One of the main reasons I wanted to be in this drive was Chitkul. And it was like becoming to be a transit camp.

I wanted to cry! But grown ups don't cry - do they? I ran away to Baspa River. I wanted to smell the flowers. I wanted to be in Chitkul......atleast the few hours there I wanted to feel the place...


I find that I'm not alone by Baspa.


Two Swifts were picnicking there






BM Joins me at Baspa



I sat near Baspa for nearly an hour. It was raining. I gazed away at her beauty. She was blue in 2009.


By 19:00hrs we walked back to the village.

Chitkul





BM invited me for a drive in AP Swift in the night. We went to the small rivulet some 5 Kms before Chitkul and tried to take some pictures. All I could manage was this before my battery drained out.



We reached the guest house back by 20:00hrs. I had a nice chat with Glenn, SJ_Koova about their drives. VB was passionately talking about 2009. Had a nice dinner and crashed for the night, planning in my mind to get up early to see more of Chitkul before leaving by 08:00hrs.

[LongDrive lover]

Nice photologue pouring in . Laluks effect is loud and clear there. Good work by jeep captain too. The story is building up nicely. Team workshop at Rampur must have been a very good and effective idea. Enjoying it indeed.