Super sexy images Aman! And yes PLEASE continue, I love your captures - even more so with your cool edits

Apologies for the delay....

Day 8: Diskit - Agam - Shayok - Durbuk - Tangste - Pangong Tso - Tangste - Changla - Karu - Leh

So as planned, I left alone around 6am from Diskit, towards Pangong Tso, via Agam. I recall seeing the sign-board the last day, which said "Agam-24kms / Leh-92kms". My thought was that i'll ride till Agam, confirm the route by the locals there, and if recommended will carry on ahead, or else, come back 24kms, and catch-up Vishwas/Rudra who would be on their way towards Leh via K-la.

The road to Agam started with a descend, the road looked rarely visited as there were stones anywhere and everywhere over the road. Then came a straight long stretch with desert on both sides, incline, straight long stretch again, no hint of civilization or human existence.









Was happy to read "Agam 0km" on the stone, and all I found was one big house below, with no one in sight. Moved 100mts ahead, over a small brigde and the way goes left and right. On the left it says "Ladakh Utsav 4kms", right says nothing! I'm not sure which one to take, so with a sad face I take a U-turn, reach that house again and hear honking. Even before looking who it was, I get my bike in the middle of the raod, so that the vehicle cant escape.

Its a jeep carrying locals, I ask the driver if this is a route that would take me to Tangste, he says yes, take the left from the bridge, but further ahead the road is under construction for 15-20kms, after that its all tar. I say excellent!

I take a left, 50mts ahead I find another house, with a Maruti 800 under a shed. I start honking like crazy till dad comes out of the house, mom from the kitchen window, grandmom n kid from the 1st floor window! I shout and inquire about the roads ahead, same reply and I zoom. Brake. Road vanished.

It felt irritating initially, but then after 5kms or so this was "the road" for me! Time passes slowly on such roads, riding between 10-20km/hr. I rode, n rode, was feeling hot, wanted to remove my inner clothing, but then even stopping there felt like a task. There was nothing around, just mountains surrounding me, and I was so happy to sight a road-roller!

Then came a bridge across which I could see white bunkers, assumed them to be BRO's (Border Road Organisation). The bridge had a pole accross it with a red flag. Got down from the bike, dragged it and myself from under the flag, onto the other side, and some civilization!

The bridge, i was coming from the other side, where u can see a blue tent.




The bunkers...


..from inside


They were surprised to see me, asked me how many more were coming behind, I replied I'm the only idiot. They invited me inside their bunker, warm water, we chatted about life, roads, etc, then they offered breakfast, I couldnt resist, puri and achar!

(...will continue rest tomorrow, pakka)

Some really good panos there Aman!
Keep it coming...

Thanks Rachit....!

hahaha... solo's were good... infact solo's were the best part of the ride!
but as i've said before, wont recommend the Nubra - Agam - Shayok - Pangong Tso route solo! (the log for tht is up next, too many pic to clean, thts y taking time)

Yes sir, following your thread, aware of the re-dubbed version! The 'butter smooth roads' came after crossing Zozila.

Didnt wanted to go back the same route at all, but then couldnt take chances as return date was fixed, so had to skip B-la.

Thanks for appreciating the pics. Sadly there is no such option :-(

Though I do not really remember "Butter smooth roads" at Zojila, but your mud-slush-puddle photo reminded me of that horror that now we have re-dubbed "Gozilla" Pass.

Noticing the dates, I reckon even you did not make it to Baralach La.

Some of your photos are really good. I like the Z35. If the option exists, change your colour space from sRGB to AdobeRGB.

Finally I stumble upon the Last/Lost chapter of Mumbai/Pune/LEH G2G

Nice pics Aman, didnt heard a word from u after u called me wen I was at the wedding, after tht everyone I called didnt knw where u were.

So how does it feel to do some parts solo?

Outstanding pix AMan..!! amazing shots...

Soooooooooo cautious. he he he he

Some Khardungla and Nubra pics from Vishwas's cam:

hey dont worry man...as said before i am glued to your thread....i wont let you forget that there is a thread to complete.....
and keep the stuff....kind of my way to appreciate the ride that you've had.....

^^ thanks for the motivation Anup..! you found my lost thread... i'll update from office tomorrow.

Hey Aman: got the story now clearly why u were struggling between groups here and there....
amazing photos
try and complete the logs faster no man....post more photos i bet you have many....

^^ It's yours, I saw you throw it, then clicked it.

About the pics, they seem dark on my PC too, but were fine on my laptop.

Aare, that stub is not mine. Different brand.

I really liked the dogs found in Leh. The one featured above looks like Siberian Husky. Wanted to bring a puppy to Pune but would have been difficult to fit it in the saddle bag so dropped the idea.

ps. why are some photos looking extremely dark? Please check.

Day 7: Leh - Khardungla - Hunder - Diskit

We (me, Vishwas, Rudra) started early from Leh with the initial plan of returning back from Nubra Valley the same day if weather permits. I was going with Inder's permit as he wanted to go till Khardungla and come back, so he could afford to leave late.

Met Kurtrules at the first checkpost. I somehow recognised his face as I had seen it somewhere on the forum.

My hands frooze for the first time. Khardungla came fast as you suddenly start climbing. Although it was higher than Changla, didnt feel any kind of sickness. Changla was killing.

Visited the soveniour shop, M/L size tees were not in stock. Some pics:













Lot of tourist starting poring in, so we rushed from there so as to avoid unneccessary blockage.






Descending towards Khalsar...












We crossed Diskit and stopped at the sand dunes in Hunder for a camel safari. The safari was to start at 3pm and we were there at 1pm, so had no choice but to wait there and relax. In an hour the weather got bad and there was a sand storm. I was off the bike but full geared!















Vishwas's stub...






Here again I met Kurt. As my bike was on the other side of the stream, I took a lift from him till the camel safari point (some 300mts)!

One look at the fugly camels, and we all decided to skip the safari!





Weather had gone bad with strong winds blowing. We decided to halt for the night and headed back to Diskit in search of a hotel. Found a decent one for Rs300, three single beds.

The hotel guy told as that a direct route to Tangste was open via Agam. So I decided to do it next morning (alone as these two had already done Pangong Tso) so as to save a day and also avoid climbing Khardungla and Changla twice. Now whats the big deal in doing it twice?? Cabbies/drives do it everyday. You are just being intelligent by avoiding it!

Solo ride to Pangong Tso is next...........