[cutdcrap]

More Moore Plains


The more you see, the more you want to be there


















Attachment 155459

























One of the many dust storms that you see in Moore plains



Some work was being carried on at the road, and as such there was a diversion to cross the end of Moore plains. The diverted road was more of a path, and the white sand was quite slippery. At the end of this 4 – 5 km stretch, we hit the road again. Barely 100 metres ahead, my rear tyre got punctured. I immediately stopped but due to the load of saddle bags, the nozzle gave way. Thankfully, this happened on the road, and when Sandeep had just crossed me. I kept on beeping and he turned around. Sunil was way too ahead to stop.



I was carrying a spare tube, and foot pump. The only problem seemed to take the tube of the tyre. We needed a big iron rod which we didn’t have. I took the tyre off, and then tried but to no avail. We had already been there for about 30 minutes trying when luckily, a group of bikers were passing by. They had what we needed.

All of us seemed tired, just when the Frenchman and his Norwegian wife stopped by to ask if all was right. As time passed, I got the tube in, thanked everybody and left. These guys met us in Khardung La, they were travelling from Pune on their bikes.



Only Tanglang La stood between us and Leh. We crossed the pass in a jiffy, not stopping much. I had a severe headache, the AMS kicking in. This could also have been worsened due to the exertion done by me in fixing the tyre.

Tanglang La

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After crossing Tanglang La, we descended to Rumtse. I felt quite lethargic, perhaps thinking I would collapse while at the pass. Sandeep was my constant motivation as he kept on saying Rumtse is near, keep going, we can rest here. We finally reached Rumtse, and the fatigue was gone. Maybe, it was the altitude that was playing.

We met Sunil at Rumtse. He had been there for over 2 hrs. I lay down in the tent restaurant, had Maggi and felt much better. The road from Rumtse to Leh (70 kms) was like a runway. Very nice tarmac, and we were doing the 3 digit figures easily.

This clubbed with Indus river views and monasteries on either side make it an eye candy drive upto Upashi, Karu and finally, Leh.

Here is what you can see from Rumtse to Leh











































We stayed at the Indo Tibetan Border Force guest house, since we had some contacts. Guess what, even before we could check into our rooms, we were planning about next day’s itinerary. While Sandeep and Sunil were too tired, I was hell bent on doing Khardung La the next day. That’s also synonymous to the name of the room I stayed in, while Sunil and Sandeep shared the other room. Thankfully, we were going to sleep on mattress today.

Leh Market


ITBF Guest House


We got fresh, and met over dinner at the guest house only. We had 3 days in Ladakh. So, it was decided to do local sight seeing till 11am tomorow (that’s the time by which our permits will be given to us, we don’t have to go or apply anywhere) and then head to KLa.

There was a TV in my room, which I don’t remember seeing on the day I reached Leh. All I remember was that I was Leh’d. Infact, all 3 of us were Leh’d.

The Airtel connection was up in Leh. I called up my wife after 1 day to tell her that we had arrived, and she sighed. On the background, I could hear my 1.5 year kid screaming, and needless to say, I missed them. Bid her good night, and slept. Tommorrow, we would attempt the highest motorable road in the world – Khardung La (18,380 feet).

[phamilyman]

a.Conservative : Keep a pair of sandals handy. Whenever attempting the stream, change from your shoes into them till you cross. Then, change back. Though it may be time consuming, it is by far the best way to keep dry.
b.Moderate : Keep wearing a polythene on your socks, and then the shoes. Attempt the stream. Only disadvantage is that though your feet will remain dry, your shoes will get wet. This is recommended in case there are a number of nullahs that you are going to cross, and are in nick of time.
c.What-the-heck : Just attempt the damn stream at the start. Try to balance yourself so that you will not have to keep feet down even once. It is risky as one may avoid keeping feet down even at the risk of losing balance. Not recommended for less experienced bikers.

There's a fourth and failsafe method esp for solo riders:

Wear quick drying shoes (no waterproof crap). Stop before a water crossing - walk into it - gauge the depth (esp if its muddy) and slipperiness.

Then just put the bike into first gear. Let it coast while you walk along.

No chance of falling, total control.

Takes the whole bloody drama and hype out of water crossings.

[sudev]

@phamilyman: easier said than done when the water flowing past is barely above freezing point!!

[phamilyman]

Sarkar: Been there, done that all through & through

May end 2007. Through the broken Jugal Nallah at Pang as well - pulsar silencer level water

Will pretty much do the same as and when the swift gets Leh'd! (in my next job probably )

[wanderernomad]

Looks more like steam burn or scalding water. Sun Burn is not that bad in such a short span of time. Plus the look on the faces tells you how demanding the route can be.
Was the left over carcass of a truck still there at lachungla?

[sudev]

@phamilyman: Hats off to you sir. My bad that I did not know your daring do. Waiting for the next day's report.

[harishnayak]

Originally Posted by sudev

Whats wrong with his hand? Sun burn or steam burn?

And i thought those were his gloves...oops

[harishnayak]

Just keep going dude...cant wait to see more of it.

[vijaythacker]

wow, awesome man that needs a courage to do this trip mate, waiting for next part.

[SRShrikanth]

Truly, a lifetime experience indeed. Keep going & thanx for the 'Snappy- Updates' as well.

Cheers

[souravdebiswas]

Guys, those were wonderful pictures. i am really tempted to go there now. Will keep a note of this travelogue.

[Turboholic]

I think its just the cold and effect of the sunlight, his face also looks Red.

[LonelyPlanet]

You guys have had the most envious of the adventure. The travelogue is nicely written the the pictures aompliment the write up.

[harishnayak]

Still waiting for more write ups and pictures ( more importantly ) . Guess we would have to wait till the next weekend to see more of your trip.

I'm sure this journey of yours will help most of the BHPians who are plannin their trips to lay this year ( including me). Keep it going guys cheers!!