A different Spiti

[rahulyadav]

Salil bhai, zarra pics bhi dal do aab ...... aab or intzaar nahi hota.

[abhijithora]

Post fast dude...otherwise seeing the members requests soon World War III will break

[Salil]

A Different Spiti

I have been to the Himalayas dime a dozen now. I must have been there literally every month of the year at least once if you combine the past 5 years. But then, that was only as far as the snow allowed me to go. I have often wondered how things would look in Lahaul and Spiti come November and Rohtang closes up for Winter with people relying on the once in a while helicopter services operated by the state. Thus came to light the idea of visiting Spiti in March, to find out how life goes on and how the moutains look in the snow covered regions of the great Himalayas, that we often forget about once it becomes 'off-season'. We indeed found it different.

Dates - 6th to 12th March 2009.
Riders - Dixit on a CBZ classic, Salil (myself) on Pulsar 180 Dtsi V1.
Equipments:
- Canon 350D and Canon 450D with 18-55 IS ans non IS versions and 70-200 F4 L
- Holux GPS Receiver mated to a HTC PDA
- A HCL Netbook

Day 1 - Noida to Bawanagar
So began the journey, from Noida on the morning of 6th. Everything went as planned and we reached Bawanagar in Kinnaur a distance of about 560 kms. The camera didn't come out once, so no photos for day 1, as usual. We spent the night at the PWD rest house at Bawanagar for the night.

Day 2 - Bawanagar to Nako
We braced ourselves for the landslide ridden roads and dusty and unpaved roads along the ongoing hydel power unit constructions sites across the Sutlej. Once those were done with and we crossed Karchham, we took a break, and I did some rock climbing to stretch my muscles!





From above the rocks


Shortly after we crossed Spello, saw Badam trees flowering after the Winter break.

As usual, we had no fixed plans for the day. We decided to give Pooh a visit and check the place out. Pooh village is about 11 , kms up from the highway. The place had a few hotels, but didn't like what was being offered for the price we were quoted. Nothing big there though. Had a tea break, came down to the highway and continued on our way ahead.


The usual decorated entrance gate that most villages have in these areas.


This one had very intricate designs that stood out in the barren landscape.


A local kid

We reached Nako around 6, and it was getting too cold to ride ahead. Had tea and Maggi and wore almost every single piece of warm clothing we had. Rode into the Nako village, planning to spend the night there. We found 2 hotels, both closed, this being 'off-season'. Asked a villager and he suggested a place where we could find accomodation and lead us to the place. It was just another home in the village. The lady readied a room downstairs for our stay.

Life in the homes revolves around the iron stove in the center of the living room. The family sits around the stove, going about their daily chores, as the mom feeds fire wood periodically to keep the fire burning. The kids did their homework, the grandma kept herself busy with knitting needles while the mom went about the usual chores. A long chimney goes right out of the roof from the stove to direct smoke and gases away from the room. It's warm and cosy in here, thanks to the stove which also finds something or the other brewing at all times upon it. Usually, it's just plain water and at other times tea or whatever is for lunch/dinner etc.

We had some tea and came downstairs to our room for the night. It looked to be the kid's room, going by the neatly stacked pile of Text books for 7th and 4th grades. Flipping through the pages of some of the books brought back memories of our school days!

Day 3 : Nako to Kazza

[pushpinder]

salil,
beautiful bit of photography.....you really did manage some great angles with your rock climbing. The badam blossoms look lovely.


That, I think, is called a BUKHARI.

Originally Posted by Salil

A Different Spiti


Life in the homes revolves around the iron stove in the center of the living room. The family sits around the stove, going about their daily chores, as the mom feeds fire wood periodically to keep the fire burning. The kids did their homework, the grandma kept herself busy with knitting needles while the mom went about the usual chores. A long chimney goes right out of the roof from the stove to direct smoke and gases away from the room. It's warm and cosy in here, thanks to the stove which also finds something or the other brewing at all times upon it. Usually, it's just plain water and at other times tea or whatever is for lunch/dinner etc.

[rkbharat]

beautiful pics.

What exactly is the location of Bawa Nagar, let say from Rampur or Sarhan, not finding it in any map, google, yahoo, mapmyindia etc. Does this PWD GH at Bawa Nagar have Parking space for 4 wheels?

I saw the pics of Bawa Nagar PWD GH in your other kinnaur trip.

I must say one thing, you don't just travel but travel with passion. Great going, keep it up. I wish to do camping in this area.

[abhijithora]

wonderful ...the best time is to stay with a family of himalayas as it gives us a outlook of their life and simplicity

[hiambuj]

Lovely Salil !! The Third pic is so very beautiful, ofcourse others as well !!

[abhijithora]

Salil...local kid pic is superb

[tsk1979]

But can somebody explain the video, and the part bit?

[Salil]

Originally Posted by pushpinder

salil,
beautiful bit of photography.....you really did manage some great angles with your rock climbing. The badam blossoms look lovely.
That, I think, is called a BUKHARI.

Thanks. Bukhari - I just couldn't coax my brain to give me that word when I wrote the log!

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I did not understand what were you doing in first video. Note a bike guy you see.
As for what connects to intake manifold? In the car its the air filter, I guess same in bike

Where are the pics Anup, please ban him for not showing pics

There's a carb between the air filter and the manifold. Our bikes ain't FI yet you see!

Originally Posted by PRADEEP JAIN

did not understand a thing in the video clipping SIR
what is it all about ?

Well, I guess I'll wait for more guesses before I let it out.

Originally Posted by rkbharat

beautiful pics.

What exactly is the location of Bawa Nagar, let say from Rampur or Sarhan, not finding it in any map, google, yahoo, mapmyindia etc. Does this PWD GH at Bawa Nagar have Parking space for 4 wheels?

I saw the pics of Bawa Nagar PWD GH in your other kinnaur trip.

I must say one thing, you don't just travel but travel with passion. Great going, keep it up. I wish to do camping in this area.

This PWD RH has ample space for 4 wheeler parking.

Originally Posted by abhijithora

wonderful ...the best time is to stay with a family of himalayas as it gives us a outlook of their life and simplicity

Very true.

Originally Posted by hiambuj

Lovely Salil !! The Third pic is so very beautiful, ofcourse others as well !!

Thanks!