Himalayan Adventure

[fudgypup]

Watch those headaches and muscle aches. Listen to your body. Get lots of liquids and rest. After a few days your body will start acclimating and you can take on more.

Too bad you couldn't get a GSA to do that ride, yeah? I hear they are almost non-existent there due to import tariffs.

[GurgaonTrails]

Originally Posted by fat_tony

Also, what sort of temps am I looking at?

So I guess I missed this and you're well on your way. Hope Rohtang was not bad as it can be.

I think what you'll find is that just your normal ride gear will be sufficient for the cold. At the top of passes you will need the thermal liner in the jacket. In the valleys lower below, you'll probably want to even take the jacket off when not moving :) Unless it's cloudy or raining....then all bets are off.

Following your journey with interest.....love to see photos of the road conditions as I'll be there in a couple of weeks too. But not through Rohtang!

[Loutre]

stil in gogogo

[khpossum]

Originally Posted by GurgaonTrails

I think what you'll find is that just your normal ride gear will be sufficient for the cold. At the top of passes you will need the thermal liner in the jacket. !

Expect anything, especially this early in the season. Changla, August 2008. It was cold and it was wet. But just for the last 20 miles going up and 20 miles going down.

[fudgypup]

any updates?

Hope you are safe.

[rathump]

Tony,

I was late in checking up on your progress; enjoyed the reading and pictures so far. Looking forward to an update.

Dave

[fat_tony]

Radio silence is (finally) over! It feels good to be connected again. Lots to report. Stay tuned.

[GurgaonTrails]

Ah! finally you've reached civilisation, nowadays defined as internet enabled :)

Look forward to the story after Manali.....

[fat_tony]

Sorry for the lack of reporting since reaching civilization, but uploading pictures to Photobucket is proving to be almost as challenging as the ride.

I'll get started in the meantime. As Mr. GuraonTrails correctly pointed out, the road leading to Rohtangla is "officially" closed on Tuesdays for routine maintenance and, as I observed the day before, the amount of traffic on the road when opened is nightmarish. So, by the dim of my headlight I set out for Rohtangla at 1:45 am.

The road was quiet but the occasional Tata could be spotted heading in the same direction as myself. Then, suddenly, after rounding a hairpin curve was a line of 8 or so stopped trucks. Immediately I thought I was in for a long day. After weaving my way through all the trucks I discovered the source of the congestion; about 2000 sheep! So many sheep it took the good side of 15 minutes to slowly weave through without upsetting sheep or herder. A photo opportunity if there ever was one but alas, it was way to dark.

As I slowly climbed up the mountain I discovered two things. The first was that I wasn't dressed nearly warm enough for the time of night and altitude. After pulling over and adding additional layers I glanced up the mountain to see the lights of trucks silently zig zagging their way up the switchbacks. It was quite beautiful and, at the same time, strangely cartoony. It reminded me of something from Dr. Seuss.

Continuing up the mountain I discovered thing number two, an upside down car that had apparently rolled over one of the cliffs above. Unoccupied and not smoldering I continued on.

Progress was good and exciting - finally this was what I was here for but, in the inky blackness, very lonely.

I entered the snow capped portion of the mountain and was now able to see other snow capped mountain peaks off in the distance. Immediately what gets you is the scale. I've seen mountains before - Alaska, Canada, Colorado - but the Himalayas are so much larger, so much more impressive and seemingly endless. They offer a very imposing feeling.

Reaching the peak I looked for the sign confirming my progress only to find two empty poles sticking out of the ground. Being to dark to acquire photographic evidence of my success anyway, I continued on.













The road still quite empty I reached Tandi and filled up my tank and both jerrycans. Keylong was only a short distance away so I stopped and had lunch at the Namaste Cafe.







I had expected to only ride to Keylong but since my progress was so good I attempted to ride to Pang but was only able to reach Sarchu.

















The ride from Keylong to Sarchu was long and desolate.







A long hard day of riding, I was asleep by 5:00 pm. The 5 star accommodations for the night.

[fat_tony]

A word of advice for any would-be adventurers...pack a nail clipper! I was starting to look like some sort of recluse. Fortunately I found this one with the decorative handle.

[Oli-San]

Awesome!!
I'm subscirbed

Be safe!!

[rathump]

Tony,

Beautiful pictures, a Polar Bear's dream ride! Did you happen to have chicken at the Namaste Cafe?

Dave

[fat_tony]

I did! How'd you guess? Be forewarned chilly lovers, the chilly chicken is really spicy.

Originally Posted by rathump

Tony,

Beautiful pictures, a Polar Bear's dream ride! Did you happen to have chicken at the Namaste Cafe?

Dave

[trophymoto]

Loving this! what would be an average speed? what elevation are you now? any effects from it?

[GurgaonTrails]

Originally Posted by fat_tony

A long hard day of riding, I was asleep by 5:00 pm. The 5 star accommodations for the night.

And THEN??