[jaunthead]

Hair raising, corageous, beautiful ! All at the same time. I have been reading a lot about Sandakphu on TBHP. But this takes the cake. Awesome travelogue and pictures.

Congratulation to you, your friends and Gangsta.

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by Dr_MNC_SK

Hello folks. Yet another Sandakpu travelogue. Glad to see petrolheads heading from far and wide to do the famed Sandakpu trail.
Wonderfully depicted in pictures. The sweet negotiations of the LWB Pajero is commendable.
Driving in the night with poor visibility on those roads was definitely not a good proposition. But like you have put it circumstances do arise at times. They say alls well that ends well. Love the Pajeros awesome lights. Where did you guys park at night? Below the sherpa chalet or little below against the wall? Were there any problem getting the diesel motors starting in the morning in the cold? We did a two thar crde trip in cold December once and due to chilly winds overnight one of the thars refused to start until we had to open up the entire pump assembly and prime it almost costing us the whole day. Although i have parked at colder places than this. The chilly wind probably freezes the diesel quicker.

@Dr_MNC_SK. Thanks. We parked right in front of Sherpa Chalet. No, we didnt face any issues starting up. Pajeros are known for some cold start issues, but with a little cranking, it was alive in a jiffy. Yes, the lights are lifesavers!

Originally Posted by soumobakshi

Super Travelogue and wonderful write-up

I would like to point out that the Duster Video is showing it in a poor picture. After all a Vehicle is just a machine, the man behind is what matters the most.

And in this video it proves the point in no uncertain way, just by observing the angle chosen by the driver for the last hair pin bend.

No Offence to the driver of the Duster, but i am a fan boy of Duster

@soumobakshi. Yes. Agree that the driving skill is equally important. In fact, thats the video we managed to get hold of, as at most of the times, I was far ahead so the Duster could have some leverage to get momentum. The angle for the last hairpin as you observed was not good enough. It required dexterity.

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

None of the Indian vehicles come with diff lock except Gurkha which has manual diff locks at front and rear, Thar with MLD and Safari xenon with LSD.
I may be missing something but end result which you want to achieve for tight turns can only be achieved through rear wheel drive (2wd) mode, else traction to all 4 wheels would lead entire vehicle to slide towards outer edge.

Shubhendra

@Shubhendra. Yes. As I mentioned, the trail did need something special either on part of the vehicle or the driver, considering the LWB. I guess it was the vehicle in this case mostly, and some inspiration for the driver from the vehicle's ability!

Originally Posted by jaunthead

Hair raising, corageous, beautiful ! All at the same time. I have been reading a lot about Sandakphu on TBHP. But this takes the cake. Awesome travelogue and pictures.

Congratulation to you, your friends and Gangsta.

@jaunthead. Thanks! As an afterthought, the hangover is yet to wear off!!

Warm regards
Unavowed_X9

[Unavowed_X9]

Some more pics from the rest of the team: Duster & Thar

Duster somewhere after Mane Bhanjang


Lamaydhura Pit Stop




The 3 cars at Sandakphu


Duster on the way back via the Nepal route


Gangsta


The Threat Trail


Slippery Stuff






Crazy Slopes


Crazy Slopes


Crazy Slopes


Bow down to the machine


Thar appear


Thumbsup


Taste the thunder


Black Magic


Black & White

[airfoil]

What happened to the Duster mirror? Seems like it is broken and left dangling wrapped in cloth.

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by airfoil

What happened to the Duster mirror? Seems like it is broken and left dangling wrapped in cloth.

They had to make an offering to the mountains...that narrow point where the rock face juts out onto the trail!

[Unavowed_X9]

Visibility Status while climbing Sandakphu


A Land Rover peeks around the corner somewhere near Bikkeybhanjang




The turns with the decline. Easy


The turns with the decline. Easy


Kalipokhri


Pandim Lodge, Kalipokhri


The mesmerising beauty of the hills

[Joy]

First of all Congrats for being the first LR conqueror of Sandakphu.

Now, let me guess the first time driver, Duster (no offence please), isn't it?

Turning radius discloses it all. The photos you have posted shows clearly, your angle and his angle of crossing a hair-pin bend. Man and machine is a combination which can't be ignored (love Duster).

Please, once again, no offence please. Hopefully, he is a master driver in hills now.

Great Travelogue and in parts scary too. Best of luck for all your future adventure.

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by Joy

First of all Congrats for being the first LR conqueror of Sandakphu.

Now, let me guess the first time driver, Duster (no offence please), isn't it?

Turning radius discloses it all. The photos you have posted shows clearly, your angle and his angle of crossing a hair-pin bend. Man and machine is a combination which can't be ignored (love Duster).

Please, once again, no offence please. Hopefully, he is a master driver in hills now.

Great Travelogue and in parts scary too. Best of luck for all your future adventure.

@Joy. Thanks.
First time or not, the learning curve was awesome! Ultimately, in such terrain, its patience-perseverance-tenacity that will see you through when combined with vehicle capability. Yes, Duster it is. But despite the Pajero being a LWB, all turns except 2/3 were handled in a single attempt. Duster proved to be truly capable (except for moving up an incline from standstill). It was at times scary, dangerous and suicidal. Not to be trifled with. Yes, mastering the terrain needs practice, and this was the best we could have.
Thanks again!
Warm Regards.
Unavowed_X9

[megazoid]

what happened to the Dusters left mirror? You had it at Manebhanjan but not on the way back. The protruding rock midway was the reason or something else?

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by megazoid

what happened to the Dusters left mirror? You had it at Manebhanjan but not on the way back. The protruding rock midway was the reason or something else?

Yes. The protruding rock! While going up from Manebhanjan, the vehicle rolled back slightly due to an oncoming LR. The mirror got offerred to the mountains at that place.

[Unavowed_X9]

Some more random pictures, retrieved from the numerous taken!