Day 14: Into the unknown…
11th August, 2011
Today is the day I realized riding in Ladakh or Spiti is nothing compared to riding on real offroad.
We started the day on schedule. By 6am we were up and by 7 on the breakfast table and by 7.40am on the road going up to Jalori pass.
With just one halt we were at Jalori Pass and since we had breakfast and tea just few minutes back so stopping here was not needed. We just inquired about the road and came to know that the main road going down is blocked due to landslide.
But a traveler waiting for a bus said that just go down 3 kms from this road and take a diversion on the right. It straight bypasses the landslide. We thought how difficult would that could be and we anyways have no choice.
The start was okay. Little offroad here and there and just a couple of streams but then the latter…pheww… After covering 3 kms down the path the road just disappeared.
All terrain looked the same. We had to ask the locals every time on a turn to make sure we are on a right road. We later learned that this was a link road which connects all the villages on the mountain over here.
I couldn’t take much photos here. My focus was only on the road as it was slippery, slushy and pure offroad track…that too down hill.
This below is the patch where it looked like steps going downhill. We again stopped and asked a local to be sure. As here I had decided that if we are on the wrong path or we have to go uphill then I’m selling my bike and settling down here.
Some patches we so slushy that Anahita had to walk few kms.
You see the path on the right side of this photo. That was the road we were on. Wish I had covered more of it.
After riding for 4 hours we came to know we had just covered 10kms… that was a laugh.
We were now back on the highway and we rode straight non – stop to the junction where right up goes to Narkhanda and left back to Spiti valley via Rampur.
We had our lunch here as the AC place tempted us and quite frankly we were getting tired now.
After nearly an hour spent here we decided now straight to Hotel Hatu. But just as we went up couple of kms we saw an accident where a lady sitting pillion fell on the ground while the bike was in motion.
We immediately rushed to aide her. In 5 minutes a van arrived as there was a hospital located near by.
Ones the situation was calm we moved on towards Hatu.
On the way up I realized I have a flat tyre. So I was careful on the turn. The bike was little wobbling because of that.
Finally after an hour we were at the Hatu Hotel. And what a news greeted us. The hotel was full.
We all were very disappointed. Specially Anahita.
We decided to have some tea here and then look for some place ahead. By the time Angelo and Anahita were sitting in the restaurant I went out to the market area to get the puncture fixed. I had the repair kit, just needed air.
I returned in 10 minutes and came to know the best news of the day.
Anahita was sitting near the reception with a sad baby face. The manager came by, a very senior man and asked what was the problem. The reception guy explained and also after they learned that we had come from Jalori area they were delighted to hear about it. It was his native place.
With quick action he made two rooms available to us. And bouy what service was offered to us at a fair price.
We all were very very happy now. Staying at this place was something even I was wishing.
This place at a misty feel to it and the food we know was just superb.
Today all the offroading and stream crossing ends. Tomorrow is race back home…but wait there is more entertainment right ahead. Keep an eye out tomorrow 
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