It was 10:30am, when we started from Anandpur Sahib, all geared up.
My back was feeling better slightly, and I hoped it would hold up.
First thing to do was the jerry can test.
Plastic ones are leaky, and if something had to leak, it better do now.
We had 2 cans of 35 liters each, and at an HP pump we put in 33 liters in one of the cans.
It took only a few kms to realize that it leaks, albeit slightly.
Well what happened has happened, in Leh the special Jugaad will have to be done for the same.
Till then it has to be tolerated.
We made good time. Traffic was thin, suggesting that the tourist rush would be low, a fact confirmed by people who had left just before me.
Except for a small jam before Aut tunnel, progress was okay, and it was around 5:30 in the evening that we decided to tank up at Pure for Sure Manali, the only truly trustworthy pump.
With 33 liters in the can, and 65 liters in the fuel tank, fuel would be last of our worried.
Moreover the safari does Manali Leh on a single Tank, and we had a lot extra.
I stretched my back a bit there, and it was sure acting up.
But with not time to waste, and darkness falling, it was time to attack Rohtang Pass.
IT was also time to take out the camera, to refresh old memories of our May trip.
As we went pass Marhi, the true character of road emerged. Under snow, everything is smooth and nice, but with all snow melted, what emerged was a proper nightmare.
Lot of people who had done Manali Leh had told me that Rohtang is the toughest pass. Now I know what it meant. My back as it was going for a toss. It was time to put some reli-spray, and say a prayer.
For some time my wife took the wheel again, and it was time to head up, on something which cannot be called a rod.
There were craters so big that in the safari we had to plan which route to take.
Came across a santro with 4 people, all of them standing outside, trying to figure out how to go.
Near the top there was lot of slush, rocks, potholes, and we were doing all this in the night.
Finally at Khoksar we breathed a sigh or relief, and decided to have aloo Paranthas.
But as they say expect the unexpected.
Instead of the Parantha, came somehting with 1mg aloo and deep fried! Like a Puri. Imagine 1mg aloo stuffed Poori deep fried.
After this disgusting dinner, we headed to PWD Sissu, and reached there at 10pm. It was time to get the caretaker, and sleep in our room, and in my case, get the hot water bottle ready.
Rohtang is not good for good backs, and when your back has been acting up like this... its hell.
So with a hot water bottle under my back, a muscle relaxant in my system, and lots of pain relief spray, finally it was time to sleep.
Tomorrow we go to keylong, it was just 2 hours away, and therefore, tomorrow will be a nice rest day.