[wanderernomad]

No Lippa Jangi Checkpost is before the Mata's Mandir, about 6 kms before.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by BolBolero

Esteem through slush! I just can't imagine being so low down, practically touching the road, with slush all around!
Would feel safer in the Bolero, atleast the slush is way down, below the doors!
Decided to keep the car squeaky clean and not wash it till we reached Bombay or let it get cleaned by the rains! (Did draw a lot stares while we were caught up in Delhi traffic on the way back)

You almost seem to be scared of doing this in an Esteem!
Believe me, you have better control with a vehicle with a lower center of gravity. But yeah, the car got so very dirty with sticky mud all over it. Had to find a stream to wash it off, which is again something pretty interesting.

Man, I am missing those days so much. *sigh*

[BolBolero]

Day 9: 12th July 2010


Landslide being cleared by BRO/GREF












Where did the Road Go?

Oh there it is!

Scenery changes as we head towards Nako.

[BolBolero]

@HVK & wanderernomad, guys am a little confused now! The only checkpost I encountered was at the Mata's Mandir and the one after that was at Sumdo. Does that mean that the Lippa/Jangi checkpost has been removed/moved?

@LoG, to tell you the truth, have driven my friend's Esteem in Bombay, and I never did like the feeling of being so close to the ground! But I totally agree on the benefit of a vehicle with a low CoG.
BTW, What is stopping you from reliving those days again?

[hvkumar]

BolBoleri, I was stopped at only the Sumdo and Jangi check posts.

[BolBolero]

Day 9: 12th. July 2010

Village of Ka


The landscape!






We actually drove on these roads!



Lunch halt before Nako.



Village of Nako in the distance.

Helipad behind the Dhaba. (Only for emergencies and maybe Politicians!)





Towards Sumdo.



The landscape keeps getting more and more arid and desertlike!

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by BolBolero

@LoG, to tell you the truth, have driven my friend's Esteem in Bombay, and I never did like the feeling of being so close to the ground! But I totally agree on the benefit of a vehicle with a low CoG.
BTW, What is stopping you from reliving those days again?

Well it all began when my wifey joined the OC of CWG. It's been impossible for her to get holidays since then. Getting even one is a miracle. Had planned for the tribal circuit this year, it got flushed. As did some other plans. Dying for the day when we'd have 2 weeks with us to go on a long holiday in the mountains.

In the meantime, am living off on lovely travelogues like yours.

[BolBolero]

Day 9: 12th July 2010

First view of Spiti River.


























Entry to Kaza



Highest (Alititude) Retail Outlet for Fuel in the World.

[hvkumar]

The magnificence of Spiti is amply visible through your photos! Looks like the Sumdo-Kaza road is entirely dirt track now, not much of metal on it. How did you find the roads in general?

And what were your timings in this sector?

[wanderernomad]

Nice pictures. But again dont see any picture of
1. Malling Nallah, the sentry of Spiti.
2. Famed Tabo monastry.
Dont get confused it simply means that the checkpost at Lippa Jangi has been moved to Mata Dhang now.
What you saw in front of you from Nako is the Great PIN Valley reserve, the road entry to it being from Mudh. The helipad is a much sought after thing in winters. You didnot venture in to see the Nako lake?

[BolBolero]

@ HVK, the roads though not metalled in many places were very much drivable. I did not encounter any problems as such. A point to mention here, the climb to Nako and then the descent to Sumdo, both are very steep! I will be posting the drive log at the end of the travelogue.

@wanderernomad,
I completely missed the Malling Nallah, or should I say, I passed it, but not much to show!
Tabo Monastery and Nako were visited on the return leg. Pics will be up in serial order.

Day 8:
Kothi to Tapri. Distance covered-285 kms. Departure 9.30 am; Arrival 8.20pm.

Day 9:
Tapri to Kaza. Distance covered-236 kms. Departure 7.00 am; Arrival 6.10pm.

[wanderernomad]

Gud excellent mate. Now I am very very happy. Shall wait for the same patiently.

[BolBolero]

Day 10: 13th. July 2010

View of the mountains from our Hotel window.


KunzumLa






Kunzum Peak hidden behind clouds.


First and only Ice Wall.







At the beginning of the road leading to Chandratal there was a signboard which said that the road was "Jeepable". After traversing this road, I am beginning to wonder what they meant by "Jeepable"! The road was really narrow, so I am assuming the measurements for the "Jeepable road" were taken using a CJ3B jeep.
The Bolero was too wide for the road at many places. In our anxiety to cross the road and reach Chandratal without any mishaps, we did not take any snaps of the road, both while going and returning.
Crtossing a nallah on the way to Chandratal.











Kunzum Peak without cloud cover!


The 13 km distance from Batal to the parking at Chandratal was covered in 1hr 20 mins!

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by BolBolero

[b]

At the beginning of the road leading to Chandratal there was a signboard which said that the road was "Jeepable". After traversing this road, I am beginning to wonder what they meant by "Jeepable"! The road was really narrow, so I am assuming the measurements for the "Jeepable road" were taken using a CJ3B jeep.
The Bolero was too wide for the road at many places. In our anxiety to cross the road and reach Chandratal without any mishaps, we did not take any snaps of the road, both while going and returning.

In 2004, after we drove the Matiz on this wretched road, we returned to the spot and struck out "Jeepable" so that the sign board read :Matiz-able Road"!!!
And our trip became redefined as BC and AC - Before Chandratal and After Chandratal, meaning it was quite a defining moment of the entire Ladakh trip.

[BolBolero]

Day 10: 13th. July 2010




Is this the famed Chandratal? I have my doubts!




Chandratal at Last!




















Kunzum Peak again!

Lossar