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Comments on my itineray
There has been some talk about the schedule that I have planned. So, I am putting up some comments. Please bear in mind, my experience is dated to the 1996 to 1998 period. Climatic changes would have had an effect on weather patterns in this area so readers are welcome to add their own comments with one caveat - please, please add something if you have experienced issues first hand, personally. Please do not quote a friend's experience as it will adulterate the clarity of information for others. Thanks.
Late Oct to Apr - the area is completely cutoff, all passes are closed and the only access is by air.
April - the whole of Leh from Lamayuru to the West to Chumathang in the East is free of snow. Please note, it does not snow much in this area, the main issue is wind and related hassles.
May - the thaw starts. Some lower passes witness landslides and avalanches. Kashmir DOES become Paradise on Earth. The sight of wild orchards filled to the brim with the loveliest flowers brings a lump to one's throat and confirms the philosophy that this land is worth fighting for since 1947.
June and July - the thaw has set in completely, most passes are open to traffic. Breaks in roads due to snow melt undercutting the substrata and washing away the top soil common, Snow melt waters make streams fast, deep and impassable to vehicles with low undercarriage.
Aug - When I was there, I saw one or two little measly sprinklings from the skies to pass off as rain. Don't know the scene now but have heard of an active monsoon so horrible road conditions for all vehicles. Possibly the worst month to tour by road but the 2nd best after July as far as the cold is concerned.
Sep - the temp has started dropping, some higher passes see the first snowfall which increases with each passing day. The snow comes in very fast on the higher reaches and does not melt so passes start clogging up.
Oct - passes are all but closed, the last few Army convoys are rushing to complete their tasks. Traditionally, 27 Oct is the date when the Army stops movement on road for winter stocking. Emergencies are a different issue and will not be discussed here.
Nov to Feb - deep winter. The terrain inclusive of the tree line in Kashmir is snowbound, Leh and its adjoining areas are snow-free but the temp is always subzero by a significant margin. The roads are tightly frozen so are passable. Black ice in the morning is a real danger. Water freezes to the innermost core even in a thick plastic bucket especially in Karu, Kiari, Chumathang, Chushul. The cold in Siachen is a living nightmare. The wind chill factor means business. But for acclimatised gentry, the best time in Leh - the air density is at its highest, breathing is sweet, the airlines and AF aircraft carry full loads and the whole area is at peace and waiting for the annual rush of tourists from May.
I have chosen the first week of June with deliberation. The passes are mostly open to bikes, the cold has receded by a good margin, dhabas and hotels have opened for the summer and for me as an infantry officer, the streams are passable (the infantry simply HATES to get its feet wet unless in combat), the roads have not still lost their topsoil and the rush of tourists is less so getting accommodation is not a problem.
Again, I may be off by a few days but that is due to the vintage of my experience.
Sorry for the typo, it should be "itinerary"
There has been some talk about the schedule that I have planned. So, I am putting up some comments. Please bear in mind, my experience is dated to the 1996 to 1998 period. Climatic changes would have had an effect on weather patterns in this area so readers are welcome to add their own comments with one caveat - please, please add something if you have experienced issues first hand, personally. Please do not quote a friend's experience as it will adulterate the clarity of information for others. Thanks.
Late Oct to Apr - the area is completely cutoff, all passes are closed and the only access is by air.
April - the whole of Leh from Lamayuru to the West to Chumathang in the East is free of snow. Please note, it does not snow much in this area, the main issue is wind and related hassles.
May - the thaw starts. Some lower passes witness landslides and avalanches. Kashmir DOES become Paradise on Earth. The sight of wild orchards filled to the brim with the loveliest flowers brings a lump to one's throat and confirms the philosophy that this land is worth fighting for since 1947.
June and July - the thaw has set in completely, most passes are open to traffic. Breaks in roads due to snow melt undercutting the substrata and washing away the top soil common, Snow melt waters make streams fast, deep and impassable to vehicles with low undercarriage.
Aug - When I was there, I saw one or two little measly sprinklings from the skies to pass off as rain. Don't know the scene now but have heard of an active monsoon so horrible road conditions for all vehicles. Possibly the worst month to tour by road but the 2nd best after July as far as the cold is concerned.
Sep - the temp has started dropping, some higher passes see the first snowfall which increases with each passing day. The snow comes in very fast on the higher reaches and does not melt so passes start clogging up.
Oct - passes are all but closed, the last few Army convoys are rushing to complete their tasks. Traditionally, 27 Oct is the date when the Army stops movement on road for winter stocking. Emergencies are a different issue and will not be discussed here.
Nov to Feb - deep winter. The terrain inclusive of the tree line in Kashmir is snowbound, Leh and its adjoining areas are snow-free but the temp is always subzero by a significant margin. The roads are tightly frozen so are passable. Black ice in the morning is a real danger. Water freezes to the innermost core even in a thick plastic bucket especially in Karu, Kiari, Chumathang, Chushul. The cold in Siachen is a living nightmare. The wind chill factor means business. But for acclimatised gentry, the best time in Leh - the air density is at its highest, breathing is sweet, the airlines and AF aircraft carry full loads and the whole area is at peace and waiting for the annual rush of tourists from May.
I have chosen the first week of June with deliberation. The passes are mostly open to bikes, the cold has receded by a good margin, dhabas and hotels have opened for the summer and for me as an infantry officer, the streams are passable (the infantry simply HATES to get its feet wet unless in combat), the roads have not still lost their topsoil and the rush of tourists is less so getting accommodation is not a problem.
Again, I may be off by a few days but that is due to the vintage of my experience.
Sorry for the typo, it should be "itinerary"
(GC 165mm) whereas Liva has it slightly better at 170mm and is lighter thus having good power:weight ratio. We will try to keep the baggage as light as possible to help not lower the GC. Thanks for suggesting the underbody protection point. Will google up to find what can be done to avoid damage from scrapes. We anyway own a full premium service for the Liva to the owner after the journey
etc).
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