Re: Duking all the way to Zanskar-solo

Nicely captured!

Re: Duking all the way to Zanskar-solo

The next day i started back-the destination for the day being Sankoo as Umba La was on my mind.Cleared the bills and bid good bye to the pleasing staff of the Gaskit hotel and me and Madhu pointed our motorcycles towards the road to Sankoo.I had to procure 5ltr petrol for the return jouney from local suppliers at rs125/ltr.

Starting back on a sunny morning




While taking the bike out of parking,noticed artisans working on brass and bronze artifacts in an adjacent shop.










On the way back saw these BJP poll canvassing staff taking a breather







The nascent river Stod




Meeting the might and beautiful glacial creation Mr. Drung Drang again-i admit i am in awe of it



















Wind swept-but standing defiantly proud









Taking a breather at the top




One of the twin lakes on the Penzila top



And the other one





The river Suru starts forming here



And gathers speed as it flows downwards




It was sunny but windy and the waves on the water show it








The meandering road with the army camp in the distance














Brute forces of nature made these mountains and the layers of crusts tell the geological story




Rangdum gompa in the distance




The grasslands had turned an even darker shade to yellow in the three days that had elapsed from the onward journey















Reflections in the brackish water
























The tress indicate that Parkachik is near




And here it is-the snout of the Parkachick glacier




Meeting between the Raid De Himalaya competitors who were on a recee-these guys exchanged views while i enjoyed my tea

















Photo taken from the rockfall that completely covers the gorge of the River Suru till half the height and the river quietly flows deep below




Approaching Panniker









A receding glacier named after the village it overlooks-i don't remember the name-the villagers said that it has receeded to the top in the last 25-30 years -earlier its snout was much lower facing into the valley.






Madhu and me stopped for the night at Goba guest house in Sankoo-it is right on the road just before the cut to Umba La-suited us because of the location but turned out to be a great place to stay.

Re: Duking all the way to Zanskar-solo

Absolutely STUNNING Pictures...

Loved them all...

Re: Duking all the way to Zanskar-solo

The place where i stayed in Sankoo deserves special mention-Goba guest house -lovingly run by the Goba family provided me and Madhu with exemplary hospitality.






The Goba ladies -the younger Mrs Goba is the main caretaker of the place.



Mr Ahmed Goba-the owner -whose day job is as a Head Constable of J&K police in Kargil-a thorough gentleman.




Some blooms in the garden












Views to the east from the guest house

Re: Duking all the way to Zanskar-solo

Great captures!

The day is 5Oct2018-today is the day when i get to finally meet the long elusive Umba La pass.And what a beauty it turned out to be-this ride was total solitude-in the nearly 66km ride,we did not come across a single soul on the road-so i was kinda thankful that Madhu was riding with me as this was his recce of this competitive stage in the Raid de Himalayas in which he was participating .Umba La route existed for centuries as a shepherd route but was made into a proper motorable road during and after the Kargil war of 1999 as the enemy shell the National Highway 1D from beyond the mountains.
From Sankoo ,the road turns up right into the mountains and the furthest village is at a distance of 9-10kms and after that you are all alone with nature.Umba La turned to be two passes in one in the sense you climb up one top(Sankoo side),then ride down into a valley and then climb up another top (Drass side) and then down to Drass.We had the good fortune of seeing snow on both the tops-and man ,was it cold-with a storm front chasing us all the way down to Drass were we encountered rain.



The climb starts








Leaving habitation behind












Stopping at the top no.1-Sankoo side-the road visible at the back.























The wide range we still had to cross




Riding down into the valley



Water frozen on the road
Here the wind started and with it came dark clouds-and the cold













The valley floor had this small semi frozen stream



The climb up again




A break in the cloud cover-and a stop to re adjust loose bungee cords.

























Frozen water on the road

















First look of Drass below









Absolute barren beauty



Dried lichen and moss








A look back at the mountain we rode down from







Meeting civilization again







Madhu mounting his steed after admiring the views




One final bye bye to the Umba La



Crossing this river bring you unto NH1D -proper Drass town-these being the remnants of the old bridge







Sand mining going on the river bed



Bidding adios.




Madhu and myself had started from Goba guest house in the morning at 10am and reached Drass at 2pm-4hrs for 66kms.We had our last meal together at Drass and bid goodbye's-with Madhu riding to Lamayuru and myself starting on my return jouney to Ludhiana in the slight dizzle prevalent there.

At Ghumri ,snow flurries started to fall and accompanied me till Zozi La from where drizzling kept up till Srinagar.I stopped for the night at Qazigund at a guest house next to the Qazigund bus stand.Started from Qazigund at 7am and was in my house in Ludhiana having coffee at 5.30pm after passing through a horrendous 3 hour traffic jam at Ramban.
All in all,an awesome soul fulfilling trip,safely done By God's Grace-Amen.
Finally completed the t-log after almost 2yrs

Wow. Awestruck with entire post and the pictures are unbelievable. Really amazing bro.

It speaks a lot when you have completed your log after 2 years. Nice write up and captures!

Awesome photos and write up!