Next route was from kargil to rangdum. It was already 5 in the evening when I reached kargil. I wanted to reach parkachik today which was still around 80 kms. I thought I will make it and reach there till 7-7:30 pm, but I didn't knew what was ahead... The scenes were beautiful but It started getting gloomy along mild rain with and snow. At Suru valley gate a elderly person asked me "Kaha jaana hai bhai".
I said: "Parkachik".
He paused for 3 seconds and asked me politely
He: "Aaj he jaana hia kya" ?
I : yes..(
confidently)
He : "Aapko pata hai kita door hai parkachik".
I was too energized by today's ride along beautiful vistas. I said ..
I: "Haa 70-80 km "
He again told me politely
He: "Aaj kargil me in hi ruk jaaiye kal chale jaana. Mausam bahut kharaab hoga aage aur pahuchne tak raat ho jaayegi.."
To this I just nodded... and said
I : "I will try"... (
I was so confident..)
He just raised his hand said "ok"
When I reached Saliskote some 20 kms from kargil snowfall and rain intensified and along with it cold also. At this point I realized that this was a big mistake and I should have listened to that wise man stayed back in kargil.
Yes my confidence was shattered into pieces... and I decided to go back to kargil but It was a good decision.. Rain/Snowfall followed me till Suru vally gate and after that it was just cold but no rain. Took a hotel in Kargil and enjoyed nice food there.
Next morning I started for Rangdum... It was very cold even in the 0 degree gloves I was wearing. My fingers tips were getting numb and I had to take some heat from my duke's engine in-between few times.
Beautiful Suru valley
It was still gloomy and drizzling in patches in Suru valley.
I came from somewhre behind those mountains.
After this there was no trace of tarmac. and it was only muddy rough trails...
Between Parkachik and Rangdum this was the only man made structure I found and a proof that there are people living ahead, otherwise it was a truly solo ride since hours.
Since parkachik It was a rough ride and I had to ride standing on a stone filled track. At around 12:30 I saw Rangdum monastery and I had to rush as rain was about to fall anytime
I took as break and had some dal roti in rangdum. I discussed the possibility of seeing drangdrung glacier and coming back which was further 35 km and around 2-2.5 hrs ahead. Weather was getting bad but I didn't wanted t miss this glacier as this was one of the main reasons I had came for this trip. Still remembering yesterday's experience about weather I gathered myself and decide to make a run for it. While going towards this glacier there are many off road tracks made by trucks. I followed a trucks and almost got trapped in the deep streams in between. I wasted 15-20 minutes maneuvering those streams as bug trucks easily crossed those streams by my duke's tires were sinking in those. If you are going from rangdum to padum just follow the route which goes just from behind the hotel in rangdum It is a bit longer but safe.
Once Rangdum was out of sight it was all clear weather
Saw zanskar vally board. Took a pic
Next was penzi la. Highest point on rangdum-padum road(or trail I must say).
And then cam the moment and I saw drang drung glacier.
Sat there admiring the beauty for half an hour and decided to head back as it was already past 3 pm and in hills it gets dark early. As I turned my bike to my surprise it felt very very heavy, not because of luggage but the rear Tyre lost air pressure probably due to constant hammering against the rocks in this terrain . Initially it looked like puncture but thank god it was just low air pressure. I had the air pump but it was connected to bike's battery so I had to unload my tail bag to access it. Filled air and also petrol as the meter was showing last bar. All this took more than 30 mins.
Now I had to race back towards Rangdum as it was already quite late. and rain gods can arrive very quickly in these mountains.
On the ride back to Rangdum I almost lost my front while speeding on a downhill but dukes ABS saved my life. No clicks on the way back as weather was getting dangerously clod and mils snowfall had also picked up as I closed up on Rangdum.
I had to stop just 100 meters before Rangdum to put on my rain gear to avoid just the wind and mild shower entering my riding gear. It was unbearably cold that day.
Stayed in the same hotel where I had my lunch. Had tasty dinner and that was end of the day.