[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

The roads ahead from Agham






Beautiful sight






Cute Donkey


Swifties had a bit of trouble crossing this stream




HVK Scorpio waiting for the Swifties to catch up



continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

The bridge was brokenwhen we were here in 2009. It still is.

Swifties had a tough time to clear the stream


HVK running back to his Scorpio after helping the Swifties


Beautiful Yellow Flowers against the stream




Slowly we started the climb to Wari La












We heard a metallic clunk sound. On getting out of the Scorpio we were shocked to see a piece of the Spring plate on the ground. On inspecting the underside of the Scorpio, to our utmost concern we found the plate broken. HVK was concerned now.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

A concerned HVK waiting for the team to catch up


Nothing can be done here. With silent prayers we move on in the Scorpio. If something can be done it can be done only in Leh. But the day being a Sunday the chances are very dim. So worst case take the chance and complete the loop. We were in double minds.

We moved on. The terrain and roads to Wari La. I personally feel this place is scary and isolated.



Can you spot the vehicles?






The terrain and roads to Wari La.










continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

Finally we reached Wari La by 10:00AM




HVK Scorpio amongst the clouds


Wari La is at 17466 feet


But still one could find some vegetation








Some beautiful flowers from Wari La




continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

Slowly and cautiously we proceeded towards Shakti

The views from Wari La till Shakti




















continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

We reach Shakti by 11:15AM


Peep Peep Don't Sleep - The trendy line which gave Glenn's Scorpio its name - Road Runner


Shakti Gompa




We reached Karu by 11:30AM. I got down here and gave order for parathas for the team while the team went on towards the petrol pump to fill up.

By the time the team reached back, I was ready with packed parathas for each vehicle.

But HVK Scorpio was in deep trouble with three of its five spring plates broken. It was almost suicidal to take it to Pangong Tso. After much deliberations the team decided to head for Leh, and wait for HVK to get the Scorpio repaired. Since Sunday it was almost difficult, and the team split to some sight seeing and decided to Check in at Jorchung Guest House for the night.

I went along with HVK in search of a phata wala to get the plates changed. We were lucky to get some one to repair the same. By almost 15:00PM we were sure that the plates can be repaired and vehicle readied for the drive.

KSM-Vtec was for the drive to Pangong Tso, howmuch ever late it is and not to stay in Leh. The moment it was decided we got in touch with all the members about their whereabouts. Only TS was not traceable, knowing his lust for photography and his craze for Gompa's I took the Discovery Bolero along with NJ and drove towards Thiksey.

My gamble proved to be right. I found him photographing some beautiful Ladakhi ladies near Thiksey. I shouted out to him, he was quite surprised and happy that we went for getting him back to the convoy.

Once every body in the convoy was traced, I waited near Thiksey for further inputs from HVK.

A little later the call came that the team have started from Leh minus DB and SS who decided to stay back. I was asked to be at Karu Petrol pump. So me, TS and NJ drove towards Karu petrol pump and waited for the team to arrive.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Turtuk - Leh

The team reached Karu by 17:00 hours. We topped up fuel again from Karu Pump.

Jeep Captain setting up the Discovery Bolero for the long drive, whil a friendly doggie looks on.


The Doggie gets friendly with BolBolero


The friendly Doggie






After the fuel fill we leave the doggie and move on towards Pangong Tso, a very brave and the most effective decision that the team had made.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Leh - Pangong Tso

We passed Shakti Gompa again








We reached Shakti by 17:30 hours



continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Leh - Pangong Tso

Views from Shakti till Chang La














Swifty somewhere


The famous Z from a moving Scorpio




Beautiful rays of the sun



continued...

[laluks]

Day 17
28th August 2011
Leh - Pangong Tso

By 18:30 hours we reach Chang La, the last of the passes for the day. We were thankful that we could do this in sunlight.

We reached Chang La


The readings match


This is an ECO Zone


The temple at Chang La





We were so happy that we have made it this far against all odds.




Our vehicles at Chang La







We moved on and slowly the sun also hid himself


Braving all odds we drove through the dark towards Pangong Tso. The major threat of the yester years, Pagal Nullah was not a problem with a bridge over it. After venturing a bit towards Marismik La, we got back to the correct road to reach Pangong Tso by 21:00 hours.

What a day, surprises, bold decisions, team cohesion - a lot was there to learn today!

Hogged on some hot food and crashed into the cold tents with winds howling around. Was not a pleasant experience, but nevertheless we were all happy to be as per the schedule.

Cheers!!

[mr.sinha]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

What if my car breaks down in Ladakh?

...
Be wise when you choose the car you want to drive to Ladakh in - definitely not your city sedan, but definitely your small car or any decent SUV. Popular cars - YES - especially if they are one of the trio of Maruti, Tata or Mahindra. Niche cars which sell a few '000s a year - NO. Complex cars - like those with 4WD automatic transmission - is a Bigger NO (Remember how Pramod Singh had to ship his 4WD Automatic Scorpio by truck back to the plains after it broke down near Leh?).

So don't worry - be prepared, get your hands dirty and trust in God.

Really good piece of write-up here for vehicle preparedness, HVK. Thanks. Are you suggesting 'No' about just automatic transmission here? Surely not 4WD, since that would be a boon in those places.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by mr.sinha

Really good piece of write-up here for vehicle preparedness, HVK. Thanks. Are you suggesting 'No' about just automatic transmission here? Surely not 4WD, since that would be a boon in those places.

No, no. Any car will do.

Most cars are well-designed and built to withstand such conditions. In the year 2009, we had a Pajeiro in our team, it was the best performer of the lot. Earlier last year, one of my friends drove down to Ladakh in his 4WD Automatic Ford Endy, he had a great trip. Ravvee who took his Skoda had a turbo failure but was able to get the spares shipped to Leh and got his car repaired. But also Pramod Singh's brand-new 4WD Automatic Scorpio failed there and despite a service centre in Leh, he had to truck his SUV down to Jammu to get it back on the road again.

In the event of any problems, you will have to bear in mind that you will get no local support and you may have to go back to the plains for any serious repair works. However, if one cannot be so risk-averse, a well-maintained car will do well in all terrain and if anything adverse does happen, one has to manage with whatever resources available.

To answer your question again, a 4WD automatic will perform well in Ladakh - as many have already proved - and failures or problems have to be suitably discounted.

[KSM-Vtec]

Originally Posted by laluks

It was after sometime that we realised that our Swifties are missing.

BolBolero going back in search of the Swifties
Attachment 864638

After 15 minutes Bolbolero came back with our swifties to much of our relief, and we rolled on.

continued...

It was a really early morning and the internal body clock of KP & YP said its too early for natures call.

And then later just before entering this sector we had stop for a cup of tea, some biscuits and cigis which led to an emergency call that had to be answered in the open.

Actually by now KP & YP were addicted to this heavenly format of taking a dump in natures silence and being surrounded by huge colourful mountains with a river running close by.

Anw now we know what caused the delay...

[Jignesh]

Hello Team,

I am following this Travelogue since couple of months. I appreciate the wonderful pictures, great write & most important many members of the team are posting their experience / logs / pictures at same time.

As already said by others couple of times, this thread is definitely a Text Book for any planning to drive to Leh / Ladakh.

Infact I can proudly say that I gathered motivation after reading logs of people like HVKumar, Laluks, Jeepcaptain, KSM-Vtec, Bolbolero, No_enthu_da & other members in this team & in November 2011 I drove my WagonR from Mumbai to Rajkot & back in 4 days along with parents & it was totally a different feeling all togather.

Thank you all for the inspiration & I will keep on following this travelogue.

Regards,

[doctorque]

Originally Posted by KSM-Vtec

It was a really early morning and the internal body clock of KP & YP said its too early for natures call.

And then later just before entering this sector we had stop for a cup of tea, some biscuits and cigis which led to an emergency call that had to be answered in the open.

Actually by now KP & YP were addicted to this heavenly format of taking a dump in natures silence and being surrounded by huge colourful mountains with a river running close by.

Anw now we know what caused the delay...

Thank you KSM for sharing our little dumping secrets of Ladakh. I sure did enjoy the view every single time and tried doing my best to enhance the natures beauty there by fertilizing the Ladakh land as much as possible while enjoying the whole process of it.

Great pictures again Lalu and everyone else.
Lets continue.