Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

I'll try to post the next part asap..

Thanks..
The snowfall was totally unexpected and turned out to be the most interesting part of the journey..

PS. Even my parents are seriously considering this trip after watching my videos..

Thanks a lot..
I have just used basic color enhancement features in picasa, yet to learn proper photo editing..

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Waiting....

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Day 8:
22 June 2013
Khardung la

Finally, today was the day.. One of the primary reason to do this trip.. World's Highest Motorable Road.. Unable to contain the excitement, I got up really early today.. The ride was just 45-50 km to the top.. But I was desperate to leave early nonetheless.. Today there was going to be no luggage.. Lighter the bike, the better..
The previous day, we had visited a local mechanic to solve the problems with the Fazer and Impulse.. Both of them had struggled since the past 2 days.. Gata Loops, Lachulung la and finally Taglang la.. Even though I was quite confident that Apache wouldn't face any problem climbing the highest road I decided to go with them.. After a test ride on both Impulse and Fazer, the mechanic did the "wire in carb" mod.. It was my turn.. The mechanic took my bike on a test ride..

Mechanic- Its a new bike, shouldn't have any problems..
Me- (apprehensively) Well, no.. Over 2.5 years and 36k km done..
Mechanic- Really? Doesn't feel like it.. You've kept it in a good shape..
A moment of pride..
Me- (with a big smile) YES, thank you!!
Mechanic- Any problems at Taglang la?
Me- Not really..
Mechanic- Very well, keep it as it is.. No modifications required..
Me- Thanks..

Against many advises of getting the carb modification, I decided against it.. But what if the mechanic was wrong? What if it doesn't climb? Only time would tell..

Around 8 30, everyone was ready to leave.. The weather was clear.. In fact, it was hot even in the early morning sun.. But that was fine.. As long as it didn't rain or snow, I was happy.. After having breakfast at German Bakery as usual, we started the ride at 9.. The road initially was in really good condition.. The bike was climbing quite comfortably.. To be extremely honest, I didn't feel a thing..

The first halt to regroup..


Always a treat to the eyes..


Halfway through..

It seemed as a regular road that would take me to the next destination.. Maybe the arduous offroading at Rohtang, the snowy road of Baralach la, the long climb of Taglang la had rendered this road quite ordinary.. But in no way was the excitement lessened.. It was still the highest road and I had dreamed about this for months..
The permits were submitted at South Pullu and the distance to the top wasn't much now.. I was getting desperate to get to the top.. Suddenly the traffic seemed to increase and then all stop at a point.. There was a landslide somewhere up the road and the road was shut.. Damn it.. We were all stranded on the road under the scorching sun.. The mountains were completely barren and not a tree to provide shade.. I was sitting under the hot sun on the roadside.. Waiting for the road to open.. In the meantime, the BRO person who had ordered us to stop was getting irritated.. People were constantly pestering him with studip questions and asking him to open the road to let them pass.. This continued for a while and then resulted into an outburst from the BRO person.. A series of most innovative abuses I had ever heard.. It was quite an amusing sight.. Surprisingly, the cellphone had network and I spent the time making some calls back home and other places..

Stuck up..


A glance back..


The road ahead..


BRO at work.. Just one word for these guys, RESPECT!!


Once the road opened, all the vehicles rushed at once.. I preferred to spend some more time back there instead of rushing into the traffic.. The road condition then started deteriorating and the climb started getting bit tough.. It was a bumpy ride all the way to the top..

Intriguing ice crystals on the way..






As I climbed higher, I could see the neighbouring mountain peaks at my eye level.. I knew that I was now near to my dream.. I took a break to click some pics and noticed my sun glasses were missing.. The curse continues.. Constant Vigilance, that would still fail.. Every single major trip or a ride, had cost me my sun glasses.. Everything from the flimsy ones you purchase on the streets to some really good reebok shades.. It was fastrack this time.. Instead of getting upset, I was laughing at myself.. At least I managed to keep them so long..

Final pics before reaching the top..




Almost there..


A little longer, i kept telling myself.. Almost there, I could virtually see the top.. And there it was, the board which had beckoned me since a few years.. "Khardung la, 18380 ft, Worlds Highest Motorable Road".. There were many people crowded up near the board for photographs.. Barely some distance ahead, I saw my friends waving hands and calling out my name.. Hugs, wishes, high fives, fist bumps.. Celebrations.. The happiness of having made it to the world's highest motorable road.. Even though the climb to the top wasn't really difficult, the feeling of being there was special nonetheless..

We paid a visit to the souveigner shop.. Nothing interesting, and all that stuff was available in the Leh market.. So after browsing through the goods for some time, we left for the cafe..
In case anyone was wondering what the names meant..


"World's highest cafe".. Everything here had the tag "world's highest".. We ordered tea and maggi.. The cafe was quite crowded.. I was getting uneasy sitting there.. Everyone was cheerful, yet I was feeling a bit uneasy.. The noodles arrived.. I was hungry, yet I didn't feel like eating.. I barely had few spoons.. The normal chatter in the cafe seemed disturbing and really loud.. I felt my breath constricting.. I needed some fresh air.. I left the noodles, grabbed a water bottle and rushed outside.. Once outside, i had a few gulps of water and splashed some on the face.. This alleviated the troubles.. Maybe the body was finally feeling the effects of high altitude.. I did not go in to finish the noodles.. I waited outside in the fresh air and sun till my friends came out.. I assured them I was fine and we proceded to the board for the photographs..

It was still crowded there.. A mini bus had just arrived and everyone was congesting the space near the board for photographs.. None of them had the decency or the brains to let each one take pictures so that everyone had a good picture.. I waited patiently for them to finish their photoshoot.. I had not travelled for over 1500 miles from home to rush there and get a pic with the crowd who had travelled up there in a mini bus... While I stood there watching them click pictures, one of them suggested, "Come for a picture with us.. Why do you need the bike for?" I chose not to reply, with a smile I gestured them to continue with their photos..

Finally, me with my Apache on the world's highest motorable road..


Rohit with his Pulsar 220..


Aniket with his Pulsar 220..


Akshay with his Fazer..


Pushkaraj with his Impulse..


Diwakar with his Pulsar 200 NS..


The last pic at the top.. All of us with some more bikers we met there..


The descent was nothing worth writing about.. The same bad road and we were back in Leh.. The afternoon was spend lazying around the guest house.. Later that evening, we went out to explore the market once again.. This time, looking specifically for T shirts.. We even got one made for ourselves.. After dinner, we spent a long time chatting that night.. Finally, after so many years of dreaming, we had made it to the world's highest motorable road.. A feeling of satisfaction, content.. 22 June 2013.. I will always remember this day..

Cheers,
Pranav

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Nice Pics dude... That must have been one dream ride come true.... Way to go...

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Really good pictures and tlog. Read every word of it. Happy you got leh'd. Once again thanks for the pictures, keep riding!

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Thanks dude.. Truly, a dream a come true..

Thanks a lot..
Loved your signature..

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Ur welcome dude

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Really awesome snaps bro.... really felt relaxing while watching pics... and just thinking how did you enjoyed your trip....


Keep it up.... Best Luck to all of you.

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Spent almost a day reading this. Awesome pics and narration. One of the best tlogs ever read. Congrats on getting leh'd.

Sent from my MB526 using Tapatalk

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Congrats once again and that's an awesome trip log I have seen in recent times...!!! I'm seriously looking forward to getting Leh'ed in 2014..

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

World's Highest Motorable Road... A dream lines for every biker........... Congo to you for completing this stunning ride....... I dont kknow how many times I am gonna say it.. But still I say.... Breathtaking pics... Awesome...

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Thanks man.. Glad you enjoyed..

Thanks a lot bro..

Thank you..
All the best for your ride..

Thanks, those lines were the ones which made me take up the ride in the first place..

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Excellent is the word

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Day 9:
23 June 2013
Hemis Monastry

Today was supposed to be the day we ride to Pangong.. Unfortunately, a series of misfortunes changed the schedule.. Our mistake or perhaps i'd say stupidity played a part in it.. When we issued the permits, we didn't get them photocopied, assuming we'd do that later when required.. Something as trivial as this turned out to be the biggest mistake..
Due to high altitude problems with the Fazer and the Impulse, Pushkaraj and Akshay had decided to drop the idea of riding to Pangong.. Instead, they decided to hire a car.. Cast aside the rider, and become a tourist for a day..
It was then we realised that we'd need 2 copies of the permits as we were splitting the group.. And this was the day the Leh government decided to implement load shedding to save electricity.. Even after roaming around for a couple of hours, we failed to spot a place that would give us the photocopies.. Precious time wasted.. Without those copies, it wasn't possible to leave.. So after noon, we decided to drop the idea of Pangong for the day.. We decided to visit the local monastries and explore the market yet again..
Hemis monastry is some 40 odd km from the city of Leh.. You can also vist the Shey and Thiksey monastries on the way..

Some pics at the Thiksey and Shey monastries..












Hemis monastry rests comfortable in the mountains.. There is a small climb to get there.. I was experiencing severe power loss while climbing.. The 15 bhp 160 cc engine was not suited to carry a heavy pillion on such roads..
In spite of the mountains being rocky and barren, there were many tress in the vicinity of the monastry.. It felt like a small forest.. In the afternoon heat, the trees provided comfort.


On the way to Hemis monastry..


First welcome sign..


First glimpse of Hemis monastry..


The vast courtyard..


The main worship place..


The new statue in the mountains..


The intricate art work in the halls..




The museum which cleared many doubts..

It was here in this museum that I met a monk who cleared many doubts..
1. The colorful flags you see everywhere:- They believe the higher you carry these flags, the brighter your future will be.. Hence tourists carry these flags with them to Khardung la and tie them there..
2. The syllables on the prayer flags:- There are 6 syllables, "om ma ni pad me hum".. These 6 syllables symbolize 6 virtues.. "Generosity Ethics Patience Diligence Renunciation and Wisdom"..
3. The cylinder shaped prayer structures:- These structures which everyone rotates, they are filled with the prayer flags containing the 6 syllables.. So spinning it once is the same as saying the prayer equal to the number of prayer flags inside it.. Each rotation purifies you of the sins you've committed..
I always enjoy making acquaintances with the local people and get to know about their culture and life..

We returned to Leh around 7 in the evening..
Later in the evening, we had a really long discussion about the next day schedule.. The permit for Pangong was going to expire tomorrow, which meant we just had one day to visit Pangong and return.. We were trying to get to a conclusion whether as to ride those 350km in a single day, or rent a car and do it bit comfortably.. Rohit and I were totally against hiring a car.. We were firm that it was doable.. And most importantly, we weren't ready to abandon the bikes and get in a cage.. However, my other friends and the guest house owner somehow managed to convince me that the ride would be extremely hectic, not to mention the risks if it gets dark on the way.. Chang la wasn't known for the best of the roads and weather..


Bad roads and bad weather, so what.. Especially Rohit and I, we've been through worse.. We've ridden across mountain roads in pitch darkness through heavy rains, we've been through thunderstorms.. We had toured on literally "non-existent" roads on a few occasions even when it was raining and past sunset.. I wanted to ride.. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I was thinking.. All those rides were back home.. This was a 1500 miles away from home.. A hostile environment where help wouldn't arrive as easily.. I finally gave in, I was ready to travel in the car for a day.. "Fine, let's hire a car".. These were perhaps the hardest words Rohit had to say in the entire trip.. We made the call and booked a car for tomorrow..
I was a bit upset about the whole thing, but sometimes you need to make compromises.. And Pangong lake was something that you could make compromises for..

Tomorrow: 6 idiots at the "3 idiots lake"

Cheers,
Pranav

Re: Ladakh 2013, a dream come true

Thanks a lot..