[Sam Kapasi]

I have no reservations at hatkoti/rohru. I plan to try the PWD guesthouse at hatkoti or the HPTDC hotel. From there, I drive to Thanedar. I'm travelling with my brother in law and dad. Both pro photographers. My sister may join us. My bro in law and I will be driving.
At thanedar I am staying at the banjara affiliated place. Run by Mr. Thakur.
I took the reference from Rishaad, the authot of Autocar - Driving Destinations. In fact this route is stolen from the book. I have reserved thanedar. The package includes food etc.
I would have loved to stay with you, but we are 4 and thats too much
However I'd LOVE to meet you. (lol@highest meet ever)
I'd also request you to PM me your phone number.
Now for the snow chains - I hope RT can help like he says. otherwise sideways has offered, but he is in chennai. Stupid question boys, but how heavy are the snow chains. Do they fit in a small box. I dnt even know what they are truly.
And finally, almost forgot - I leave new delhi on the 9th of dec. I plan to be in thanedar on the 11th and 12th of dec. 13th i'll drive towards simla.

Meanwhile HELP- Anyone in Mumbai or New Delhi who can loan me snow chains for my scorpio.!

[Sideways]

Hi Sam,

Snow chain are bloody heavy. Easily 20kg +. There was this othere Scorpio from Delhi / Haryana which took part in the rally. i can try and find the guys number and call him. Will request him to lend them to you - No promises though. Pm your number to me and I will get back with some info.

[khaadu75]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I have no reservations at hatkoti/rohru. I plan to try the PWD guesthouse at hatkoti or the HPTDC hotel. From there, I drive to Thanedar. I'm travelling with my brother in law and dad. Both pro photographers. My sister may join us. My bro in law and I will be driving.
At thanedar I am staying at the banjara affiliated place. Run by Mr. Thakur.
I took the reference from Rishaad, the authot of Autocar - Driving Destinations. In fact this route is stolen from the book. I have reserved thanedar. The package includes food etc.
I would have loved to stay with you, but we are 4 and thats too much
However I'd LOVE to meet you. (lol@highest meet ever)
I'd also request you to PM me your phone number.
Now for the snow chains - I hope RT can help like he says. otherwise sideways has offered, but he is in chennai. Stupid question boys, but how heavy are the snow chains. Do they fit in a small box. I dnt even know what they are truly.
And finally, almost forgot - I leave new delhi on the 9th of dec. I plan to be in thanedar on the 11th and 12th of dec. 13th i'll drive towards simla.

Meanwhile HELP- Anyone in Mumbai or New Delhi who can loan me snow chains for my scorpio.!

Hey, I just might be there around then though not very sure of my dates of travel. U should get bookings at Rohru with out a problem . I guessed as much about ur stay at the banjara resort, Mr. Thakur is my uncle and u can ask him to show u my house from his place. For that part of Dec I dunno if u wud need snow chains coz snow hasn't hit Himachal yet but it wud be taking chances. Also if it snows heavily around then avoid the Rohru- Thanedar route via Baghi as chances of u making it even with snow chains might be impossible. Also that route is very narrow and I wud advfise u against it, maybe with a 4X4 and snow chains u cud do it but if u listen to me I wud say ' NO WAY ' !! Else its a nice drive , and carry plenty of rolls . If heavy snow fall does happen use the main highway back to Theog and then to Narkanda and on to Thanedar.

Incase I'm not there then just ask Mr.Thakur if the road to Hatu peak is open and if it is then drive up and u get an amazing view of 360 degrees. But rememebr its very narrow though metalled and ur avg speed wont be more than a few kms/hr.

As for as staying with me ... well if its only beds and home service that u Ok with space is no issue at my place. Infact its an open offer to bhpians to come shack up with me. I cud easily accomodate upto 10-15 ppl at my place, except that I only have 2 loos so waiting for that wud b the only hindarnce. But then in that weather taking a bath is such a pain .....

U can call me on at 98117-99439 anytime... at present I'm in delhi itself, so any queries pls feel free 2 buzz me .

cheers

PS -- Try taking the chains , they wont take up too much space. And the scorpio has plenty of that.

[Rtech]

Sam, relax. I should get back to you by tomorrow latest.

And I did plan on coming for the expo, but a taxi had other plans for me that weekend!

[Sam Kapasi]

20 Kilos!!
I have to carry them from Mumbai to Delhi. Actually I can send them up ahead by road transport. AHAHAHA I'm damn excited now!! HAHA!! YAY!! Come on RT!! YAY!

[khaadu75]

Sam, do call me once u get to dli ... !! Till then let me see if I can save u the trouble of getting snow chains all the way from B'bay ....

cheers

[navin]

Originally Posted by khaadu75

.... I stay in Kotgarh which is a 10 min walk from Thanedar, and 20 min drive by car.

10 min walk = 20 min drive? confused. you sure walk fast!

[mohit]

Originally Posted by navin

10 min walk = 20 min drive? confused. you sure walk fast!

In the hills!.... You can't drive a car on the routs locals take... to go from one mountain to another, you simply climb staight down one and climb up the other instead of taking the road which descends slowly.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

20 Kilos!!!

With the RWD scorpio all the weight you can get on those rear wheels will be welcome. think traction.

in no particualr order....

1. flash lights atleast one should be big. i would recommend one of the 3 way lamps which have a flasher and tube light as well
2. battery cable
3. tool kit with electrical tape and hand drill
4. packaged food, water
5. spare fuel tank
6. First Aid kit, painkillers and other medicines
7. wonder if you need mosquitto repellant in this area
8. use clothing in layers. the air between the layers keeps you warm and also you can layer on and off depending on weather.
9. spare camera batteries esp for CR2 etc. wrap batteries to keep them warm.
10. will the scopio cab seat all 4. check heater in car it is damn diffcult to steer in the hills with gloves on.
11. ankle length shoes prefer water proof
12. tripod
13. toilet rolls
14. duct tape
.....you get the picture.

[khaadu75]

Originally Posted by navin

With the RWD scorpio all the weight you can get on those rear wheels will be welcome. think traction.

in no particualr order....

1. flash lights atleast one should be big. i would recommend one of the 3 way lamps which have a flasher and tube light as well
2. battery cable
3. tool kit with electrical tape and hand drill
4. packaged food, water
5. spare fuel tank
6. First Aid kit, painkillers and other medicines
7. wonder if you need mosquitto repellant in this area
8. use clothing in layers. the air between the layers keeps you warm and also you can layer on and off depending on weather.
9. spare camera batteries esp for CR2 etc. wrap batteries to keep them warm.
10. will the scopio cab seat all 4. check heater in car it is damn diffcult to steer in the hills with gloves on.
11. ankle length shoes prefer water proof
12. tripod
13. toilet rolls
14. duct tape
.....you get the picture.

Hey, Thats a list one wud require if headed to Leh or some remote place like that. This area is not as remote so half these things wud only be weight added but hey its the scorpio so no big deal to excess baggage. Just make sure that u do carry a foot pump and if u have tubeless tyres to carry a puncture repair kit as in that area tubeless puncture repairs are not fixable.

10 min walk = 20 min drive? confused. you sure walk fast

Thats coz in the hills the driveable road is not necesaary the shortest way to a destination. And as far as walking goes .. well born in the hills gives me that added advantage as we use the rubbers on our shoes more than the rubbers on our cars tyres.

cheers

[navin]

Khaadu, believe me this is a partial list I use to use when i went skiing. I used to travel alone and needed to be self sufficient. even had stuff like rock salt in the car so i could get my car out if it got stuck in ice.

[tsk1979]

Speaking of which, though shimla is around 3 hours by road from kalka, there is a 4 hour trekking shortcut

[khaadu75]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Speaking of which, though shimla is around 3 hours by road from kalka, there is a 4 hour trekking shortcut

Id like to know which one ?? Its impossible ..also the Kalka to Simla run is not 3 hrs from any angle . Its a 2 hr leisure run but can b done in lesser very easily. A lil bit of rubber burning reqd ..lol

cheers

[tsk1979]

I think chd shimla is 3 hours then. This route is from around solan. I once saw an advert in a chd newspaper about trekking, though 4 hours I am not sure about

[Sam Kapasi]

Hey guys,

Honestly, i cannot believe what a cool forum this is. You know, i dont feel this often because i'm always in the ICE section doling out advice rather than taking it, well except from my budda Navin. (that mistype was actually on purpose hee hee)
But !!
SIDEWAYS - Dude, thanks for calling me from Madras , that 30 minute conversation opened my eyes. Sideways gave me some major driving tips. Dude, thank you for the offer of the snow chains - they're arranged in delhi.
Khaadu - I'm driving in your backyard - lol I'll bet you're laughing at me. I'[m looking forward to meeting you. Thanks for all the help.
Navin - Navin's been calling and making plans for me, thinking of a survival kit and offered me his camera and warm clothing (Fit nahi hota hai) lol
RT- Rtech's been phoning the country and has arranged snow chains for me in New delhi and has arranged them too.

And bigman pm'ed me, giving me advice for the scorpio's puncture jack etc etc.

I feel blessed man. Thanks guys, keep this coming.