Day 4 8th june 04
Starting at 0650Hrs from Darcha after a light breakfast of chapati and eggs with tea. My odo-meter reads at 23710kms. Roads were again not too good so I wasnt supposed to have any kind of relief watsoever.
Starting over
Darcha next place on the way
was Patseo - A small army based camp well
organized with every sign board
clearly mentioning wat it exactly was. Next across after a climb on rocky
terrain was Zing Zing Bar or
Whisky Nallah. As the name suggests there is no
Bar as such but just once again its an army point where you can enjoy ur
whisky as army people usually love to sit here and drink enjoying the
natures beauty at the bottom with river twisting and turning.But Next up was another of the major passes on this Manali-Leh road. Baralacha La at admirable height of 16500ft. but right
before this place some 100metres or so my bike
fell on the pothole which was covered with snow. though it just put a small
scratch on my right leg but was just an auspicious sign for me as every
journey has something or other to leave a trail. I got a small hole in the
headlight of my dear besides the break paddle turned bit inwards..nothing a
major hassle. Stopped to click some shots at Baralacha. - An admirable place
with nothing but just snow covered peaks and it just seems so white.... As
always it isnt suggested to hang for long time so I made a move ...As the
roads were just rocks as snow melted water just rips apart the road with
no signs of roads. Getting Down from Baralacha Jot was a small
Bharat pur, just
small tents to provide relief to riders, where i had my cup of tea that
refreshed me.
Carrying on another 22 kms was
Sarchu, the last point of Himachal
and beginning of Jammu & Kashmir. At this point I drove for about
15-20 minutes on the plains as I was more cautious. There wasnt much to be
seen except some womderful nature views. After Sarchu, I met Army men
keeping cover on the bridge. I asked them, if I can rest in thier camp and
if i can lie down but they didnt allowed me to do so. Rather they got me a
glass of hot water. By now my head was pierced by strong winds. Though it
doesnt seems to be hi-alti but was kind of the same thing. I kept going and next on this section was 21 u turn hair pin bends (I actually counted them as 22)- Termed as Gatta Loops. Going uphill was a bit of relief as roads were better but after I ended crossing Gatta loops
-
Goodness Gracious me it was like no life form was present no trees no grass
no birds.... I just got feeling that I am out of words for this place even
oxygen wasnt much here .... And right next up was Nakeela La
at height of
15547ft Another of a pass on the
same road. This was a terrible ride of all the journey done so far.
As
climate was getting cold and winds were so sharp - sharp is the word I will
use to describe this place - even a small space left for air to enter my
helmet was cutting through my head as the air was harsh and chillin like a
spear heads. At the same height I can see the bigger vehicles struggling
with thier uphill climb as it made trucks just to scroll at a very slow
speed.
Damn slow n roads turned rocky again without doubt. It was best of
the experiences of all time. After all the downhill from the
Nakeela La was again uphill till
Lachung La at a height of 16615ft. I reached Pang after a Dead tiring drive at about 1430hrs and I was feeling terribly tired. Nd I felt like sitting in sun my head was not willing to accompany me anymore. I put all my stuff into small tent where I was to sleep at nite. At the same time while I was sitting in sun a truck driver shouted at me - O CBZ "exact words" - it was the same truck driver and he courteously asked me to join him in Leh.
Soon after I was all tired and feeling sick with the drowsiness in my head. Reason was not Hi- Alti but was my own mistake - in morning before starting my journey I oiled my hairs lightly and it made me feel that winds more then piercing. I vomited twice once in evening and once at 0200hrs in night as the food I had didnt suited my stomach pretty much. Literally I managed to sleep somehow with temperature well at 4C as was told to me another foreigner who was resting in another camp.
Starting point at 23710kms Darcha.
Destination at 23866 kms at Pang.
Total distance traveled 156 kms.
Total expenses 105Rs.
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