Day 7 : leh - karu - zingral - Changla - Darbuk -Tangtse - Pagal nala

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Day 7:
This day our scorpio driver came to our hotel by 8. He were all ready by then. we decided to have break fast at Karu, where we have to take a diversion to Changla from the normal leh - Manali route. We informed the Scorpio driver to fill in the fuel cans and catch us at karu. We reached Karu had our break fast but still no signs of our Scorpio. He was busy collecting the bills for the trip! (who wanted it) This delay was very costly for us, as after 2 its almost impossible to cross Tangtse to pangong Tso. The PAGAL NALA stands in between the too. He came after almost an hour. We then made your way towards Changla. The roads were very inviting. I drove at higher speeds, as the roads were almost clear from gravel.



But as we moved up, I saw gravel in the middle of the roads, so kept to the corners but was very cautious. Later I lost my confidence, as the gravel was widely spread across the road. Prayed none should ve any incident signaled and moved on. After a while I stopped as there were no signs of the Scorpio again. he again came late and excused that there was some stones in his disk break! Man this guy is planning for something!

But anyways, Mohan can sense if he is purposely delaying, we sent the scorpio ahead and asked him to wait at Changla :)

you cant miss this view


Sumit and Chetan


My stead


We then drove up, I didnt feel any trouble with my bike. I have removed the restriction that we have put on K&N air filter. The bike was smooth. Didnt imagine that I could reach the top so fast.



As you see above, its just at an altitude of 17.3K feet. My bikes range is up to 17.5K feet :) Changla Baba offers free tea to its visitors upto 6 pm :) We had free tea and ppl hurried to leave fearing for the devil AMS. (By now, even we dont feel it the fear made us cautious :P ) We then descended down. I was in no mood to wait/stop for pics. My only aim was to cross Pagal nala before 1. The time was 12 by now. As we descended down, we saw boards "land slide area". "snow area" etc. At the bottom there was frozen pond. I wanted to drive down to the pond. But time constraint. So moved on.

Took a few pics stealthily as I cant move so far ahead of the group
landslide zone


The other side of Changla


The roads after this were too good. Fresh roads, with good visiblity. You can round and round on the hills :). I then reached a diversion close to Tangtse. The left goes to Shayok(never knew what it is) and the right to Tangtse





The guys reached after some 15 mins. Again cursed for not stopping for pics. I said that am concerned about crossing Pagal nala. and immediately the Scorpio fellow started jumping we cant cross, we cant cross and We was very slow. It was almost late for us its 2 pm and still we have around 30 kms. After crossing around 15 kms, the Scorpio fellow stopped and said am not coming we cant cross. I insisted that we will atleast go and check it out. We need not even try crossing but lets see the nala in its majestic form, becoz the morning the stream will be very small. The driver then gave fundas on fuel wastage. and our guys too supported it. I felt am not yielding to this bull shit! you guys stay here I will go see that nala and come and moved forward. The roads were too good. The sands were very fine, ya much more than that of Moore plains. As I drive I could see water level increasing. the stream is spreading its legs :) Then I reached the nala. As i stopped the bike and started checking the stream, the other guys too arrived. They said that the scorpio will come a little late. (So he is making sure that he is not crossing is it ?)
Check the snaps and see what we would ve missed if we didnt come :)

Vehicles at the nala. From top angle


The ferocious


Some localities and trekkers cross it


The Nala is widening





While returning the water was really increasing. The sand around the roads were very inviting ! So went on it. man its just quick sand check it out.

No there is no shake in the pics




No wonder this called Pagal nala. Some 15 bridges were built across the roads, this pagal will eat it all once again. As its full of sand, the path under the bridge gets filled soon and the brdge is submerged. Now, the new roads are being built along the mountains.





Once we cam out of the danger zone. we played a while with this stream crossing :D


We then came to a place were we had proper lunch. I went inside on of the tents and slept. It was already dark when I got. Sumit, Sunil and Chetan have already woke up and had a round of photographs. I then went out for my set of pics!

The humble fellow of the place, has built a small vegetable garden for himself.


the stream is diverted to irriigate the paddy fields.
our new Photographer




Sun is about to set!


I found a golden treasure!


The place was not technically backward. There was a solar panel that charges the battery during the day. The batter is poerful enough to even operate a 5 hp motor.



And the motor


Some structures


We then had a hearty dinner too and snored for the day. we need to cross the nala by 6 tomorrow and Tomorrow is a BIG thing. we are gonna attempt marsMikla !!

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