[vnabhi]

Fantastic, spine-chilling adventure, @satan. I admire people who have the courage to embark on such expeditions.

The video was really scary at some parts. I'm glued to this thread. Rated *****

Keep 'em coming!.

[satan]

Day 7: Tabo –Thanedar
That day we had to cover the longest distance of the trip approx 320kms of mountain road. Despite covering both vehicles and parking them nose towards the guesthouse wall, both vehicles refused to start that morning. By now we knew the procedure backwards so we went out looking for a kerosene stove. The pressure cooker and the gas pipe came from the guesthouse kitchen. So after repeating the procedure, one by one both cars fired up after getting their steam spa and we were finally rolling. That drive was largely uneventful and we hit Rampur by 7pm and were in Thanedar by 10pm.

[rkbharat]

wonderful

What was the condition of Malling and Spillow?

And what were the main problem point between Powari and Kaza?

I am planning to do it in March end

[BNR]

For many of us living in the western plains, the north and north-east regions remain a priority in the "Places to travel before you die" list!

Thank You Satan! With this travelogue and many more, I shall continue to dream until it materialises.

With the driving skills, ground clearance remaining the same, allow me to ask a newbie question:

1. Is it absolutely necessary to do this trip with a 4x4? How would you think a Fortuner 4x2 (MT) do for a trip like this?

2. Taking the above question further : How would a Fortuner AT fare?

Do indulge me.

[sudev]

One of the ways to prevent diesel freezing is to start the engine every two / three hours for ten minutes. Not ideal but works as the tank is fed hot diesel from return line in to the tank.

[dean5545]

Hey satan,
Absolutely stunning travelogue. I respect your courage to go to a difficult terrain that too at the most dangerous time. Hats off to you brother!
I have some questions regarding the Fortuner
1)since this Fortuner was used by many people it would have been abused a lot. So what problems did you face on that aspect like rattling of dash board,windows, wheel alignment, suspension or hard clutch ?
2)what's was the odo reading on the Fortuner ?
Sorry for asking this many questions but am curious to know limit to which this vehicle can be abused.

[FarPatel]

Thank you Satan, for the fab travelogue and the mind-boggling pics. As a geologist who had studied the Spiti Valley, in college about 30 years ago, I was particularly enthralled by the sheer beauty of the stark landscape you so beautifully captured.
Cheers,
Farokh

[mashmash]

Fabulous writeup along with some amazing pictures. It sure need a lot of planning and courage to do this trip at this time of the year.

This thread is a great learning for many like me. That pressure cooker trick is a brilliant idea. How did you come up with it?


MaSh

[dhanushmenon]

Amazing write up and jaw dropping photographs.

I keep wondering... "when will I ever drive to those snow capped mountains?"

Thanks for sharing

[satan]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

wonderful

What was the condition of Malling and Spillow?

And what were the main problem point between Powari and Kaza?

I am planning to do it in March end

Malling nalla was frozen. Snow on the road for most places between Tabo and Kaza.

Originally Posted by BNR

For many of us living in the western plains, the north and north-east regions remain a priority in the "Places to travel before you die" list!

Thank You Satan! With this travelogue and many more, I shall continue to dream until it materialises.

With the driving skills, ground clearance remaining the same, allow me to ask a newbie question:

1. Is it absolutely necessary to do this trip with a 4x4? How would you think a Fortuner 4x2 (MT) do for a trip like this?

I think its very doable but you need to be extra cautious around snowed in bends. Snow chains would definitely help on a 4x2.
Another way to look at this is that the local Sumo cabs are all 2wds. But
1. they are always extra loaded for traction and
2. the passengers are hopping off at some snowed in U bends to shovel the snow and scatter mud on it for extra traction

Originally Posted by BNR

2. Taking the above question further : How would a Fortuner AT fare?

I am not an expert but it would perform like an manual 2wd Fortuner

Originally Posted by dean5545

Hey satan,
Absolutely stunning travelogue. I respect your courage to go to a difficult terrain that too at the most dangerous time. Hats off to you brother!
I have some questions regarding the Fortuner
1)since this Fortuner was used by many people it would have been abused a lot. So what problems did you face on that aspect like rattling of dash board,windows, wheel alignment, suspension or hard clutch ?

Thanks Dean, none of the above..

Originally Posted by dean5545

2)what's was the odo reading on the Fortuner ?

34k kms

Originally Posted by mashmash

Fabulous writeup along with some amazing pictures. It sure need a lot of planning and courage to do this trip at this time of the year.

This thread is a great learning for many like me. That pressure cooker trick is a brilliant idea. How did you come up with it?


MaSh

Thanks Mash. That idea came from one of the locals after we explained why we could not place a stove under the Tuna's belly

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Amazing write up and jaw dropping photographs.

I keep wondering... "when will I ever drive to those snow capped mountains?"

Thanks for sharing

Thanks Dhanush, just show up in your vehicle to the Himalaya once and that should suffice. The mountains will automatically pull you back year after year after year.. They are like a drug, very addictive and give a high each time you visit them..

[Thar4x4]

Originally Posted by satan

Day 7: Tabo –Thanedar
That day we had to cover the longest distance of the trip approx 320kms of mountain road. Despite covering both vehicles and parking them nose towards the guesthouse wall, both vehicles refused to start that morning. By now we knew the procedure backwards so we went out looking for a kerosene stove. The pressure cooker and the gas pipe came from the guesthouse kitchen. So after repeating the procedure, one by one both cars fired up after getting their steam spa and we were finally rolling. That drive was largely uneventful and we hit Rampur by 7pm and were in Thanedar by 10pm.

Wow ! 5 starts

Well written travelogue, best short video and awesome photos.

We are planning for Leh in Thar CRDe on 23 May, Pune - Leh - Pune.

The weather will not be this worst (exciting/adventurous ) but the tricks you explained will definitely help in situations.

Pardon my ignorance, I guess you used anti freezing agent but still you faced this issue or you learned about anti freezing after this experience?

I am glued, keep them coming.

Thanks,
Vishal

[satan]

Originally Posted by Thar4x4

Wow ! 5 starts

Pardon my ignorance, I guess you used anti freezing agent but still you faced this issue or you learned about anti freezing after this experience?

I am glued, keep them coming.

Thanks,
Vishal

Thanks Vishal. No we did not use any antifreeze in the diesel which in hindsight was a big mistake.

[a_bharadwaj]

WOW!! What an adventure!
One of the best TL I've read. Just great
Really appreciate your courage. Wonder if I'll ever be able to venture out like this.

[AstaAddict]

Originally Posted by dean5545

Hey satan,
Absolutely stunning travelogue. I respect your courage to go to a difficult terrain that too at the most dangerous time. Hats off to you brother!

"Fortuner was used by many people" makes me think it is a pre-worshipped T Forte. Please shed some light on this.

[gurha]

Satan,

Some really great advices here and should be really helpful for people like me who would like to do such drives.

From the point I read this

Originally Posted by satan

Carry a powerful kerosene stove, pressure cooker and gas pipe nevertheless – multiple uses besides cooking hot food and making beverages

I was wondering, ok you might use kerosone stove and pressure cooker for cooking purpose, but why on earth you need a gas pipe when you don't have a gas cylinder.

But when I read what you guys did was really inspiring, and I would definitely carry these apart from other things, in case I'm doing such a drive.

Thanks again for sharing.