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Indeed one of the most truthful & informative account of riding in Ladakh! What is most challenging about riding in regions like Ladakh is that high altitude, cold & low oxygen can do things to you. I keep telling all my first-timer friends to (a) revise their drive time schedules, (b) think of frightful scenarioes where they have to, say, change punctured tyres which is a most strenuous task in such conditions, and (c) avoid staying in high places overnight or for too long.
Sai, despite having gone to Ladakh many times, I still do not know which is the exact point where Zoji la is!! It is only now that they have put up sign boards. Earlier, you were so focussed on driving through the bad roads, steep inclines, rocky ground & dust clouds that you realise you have crossed Zoji la only when the roads start descending!
The diesel smell in the car - you must seal the can thoroughly. I have never faced such a problem. However, if even a single drop spills out, rest assured that the car will stink rest of the trip! One technique not to have stink is never to overload the tank, always fill it only to 3/4ths, then there is enough buffer to prevent sloshing in the uneven roads & resultant pressure on the cap.
Poor Xylo pick up - that is electronics for you. I am told that the car electronics in - at least M&M vehicles like Scorpio - is mapped for altitudes till 4000 mtrs only which is the reason why the electronics fails to feed the correct air-fuel mixture in rarefied conditions. When I drove my D1 engined Scorpio in these places, especially Wari la, it out-performed the other Scorpios which were crde and m-hawk because they relied entirely on electronics.
ATMs out of cash is a common phenomenon in Leh. Always ensure you carry enough cash always on you & keep topping up as and when instead of risking running of cash & searching for ATMs.
Bike falling so many times - I guess you were simply too tired, that is the body & mind giving up in these trying circumstances!
Sai, despite having gone to Ladakh many times, I still do not know which is the exact point where Zoji la is!! It is only now that they have put up sign boards. Earlier, you were so focussed on driving through the bad roads, steep inclines, rocky ground & dust clouds that you realise you have crossed Zoji la only when the roads start descending!
The diesel smell in the car - you must seal the can thoroughly. I have never faced such a problem. However, if even a single drop spills out, rest assured that the car will stink rest of the trip! One technique not to have stink is never to overload the tank, always fill it only to 3/4ths, then there is enough buffer to prevent sloshing in the uneven roads & resultant pressure on the cap.
Poor Xylo pick up - that is electronics for you. I am told that the car electronics in - at least M&M vehicles like Scorpio - is mapped for altitudes till 4000 mtrs only which is the reason why the electronics fails to feed the correct air-fuel mixture in rarefied conditions. When I drove my D1 engined Scorpio in these places, especially Wari la, it out-performed the other Scorpios which were crde and m-hawk because they relied entirely on electronics.
ATMs out of cash is a common phenomenon in Leh. Always ensure you carry enough cash always on you & keep topping up as and when instead of risking running of cash & searching for ATMs.
Bike falling so many times - I guess you were simply too tired, that is the body & mind giving up in these trying circumstances!
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