01/08/13
We managed to leave a
bit after 6am and it started raining within 5km. We both thought
about turning back but decided to carry on, luckily. About 5-10km
further and it stopped. Was reasonably clear for the rest of the
Rohtang pass. Lovely roads on the way up, there was a little mud and
dirt towards the top. The main problem was we had just court up to a
tour group some of whom where not doing so well on the mud and
getting in the way.
Coming down the other
side was interesting and dry lol. Lovely road along the valley floor
to Keylong where we stopped as Sergie had not slept well last night.
This should work in our favour though as it is about 3,000m here and
tomorrow should be a 4,8?? pass and then spend the night at about
4,000.
Farming dirt in Kullu
Half way up Rohtang. People waiting for work in the back ground.
Rohtang
Coming down the other side
Glacier near Keylong
02/08/13
Left a bit later as
we did not have too far to go. Got to the top of the pass and did not
suffer too much from altitude sickness. Faith is not got much power
up this high but is still making it and I am surprised at how good
the roads are up here. The weather seems to get worse at about 3pm
and we had not made it to Sarchu by that time, so had to ride into
town in rain/hail. Well I use town in a lose way, it is all tents
with a couple of tin shacks. But then it is also temporary.
I walked around for a
little and was not suffering much from altitude sickness, Sergie was
feeling it more and was taking aspirin for it. When I went to bed
though I really started having trouble breathing. So after spending
some time trying to adjust my breathing eough to make a difference
but failing I decided to try the Viagra..... lol yes I got that from
Top Gear when they did South America. Viagra has the same stuff in it
as the altitude pills. There is a very annoying side effect to
Viagra though, trying to sleep with a stiffy your have no intention
of dealing with is hard lol, and so is peeing in a bottle.........
The only river crossing with a bridge, many stream crossings though
Lovely roads, and valleys, and mountains
More views
sweeping climbing roads
03/08/13
So after spending
the night at 4,000m we headed out early, 6am, for Leh. What a lovely
ride through the mountains. The road is in a pretty good state really
so it is just a matter of coping with the altitude at the passes.
Heading through the first two passes was easy enough. After Pang you
come to a lovely valley with a mostly new road along it. If you think
you could coupe with 4,800m for long enough dad it would be great to
blokart down the valley. The valley floor has heaps of places that
are use able, or you could go down the new road as there is not that
much traffic on it.
When we came to the
last pass, Taklang La, we stopped at the bottom for a break. Once we
started up there was a cloud of dust near the top which had me a bit
worried and sure enough when we got to about 1-2km from the top we
came to a blocked road where they had just blown up some rocks. So we
had to wait for about half an hour. This is at about 5,300m so
waiting here was not so nice and meant we did not spend long at the
top. The ride down the other side was easy enough with a lovely road
most of the way to Leh. Nice to be back down to 3,500m.
Early morning
Over a smaller pass
Starting to get up there
And another one
Start of the plain
Lovely valley for blokarting, if only it wasn't at around 4,800m
Have to wait
At the top
Heading down
4/08/13 to 9/08/13
Have been for a ride
most days, even got lucky and saw a destruction of a Mandala ceremony
at one monastery. The weather here is mostly clear so have to be a
bit careful of the sun and heat. The roads are in a very good state
here as there are military bases everywhere.
On the way to Leh Palace
Leh from the palace
Leh Palace
Gompa from the palace
My hotel is out there... someewhere
On the way to Thiksay
Thiksay
Thiksay
For the naughty
The mandala
After they destroyed the mandala
On a morning walk
Well I will be up here in the mountains for the rest of the month most likely so lots more views to show off.
Enjoy your life.
