Delhi to Marsimek La : DAY 6

Read Day1
Read Day2
Read Day3
Read Day4
Read Day5




DAY6: LEH - MARSIMEK LA - LEH

The previous night, we all sat outside our hut gazing at the star lit sky. It was a spiritual experience : close to 2-3 degrees, songs playing on the phone, none of us spoke - just soaked ourself in this beautiful calm place.
I wanted to hit the road to Marsimek la - my reason for this trip. Only Ravi on the fuel injected Pulsar 220 agreed to come along. We decided to hit the road at 7am, while others would have breakfast and head back to leh by 10am or so.

I couldnt get up at 7am, instead Ravi and I left at around 8am for the road to Marsimek la. For this, we had to first hit the Army camp at Phobrang, a ride of around 15km on smooth tarmac roads.

The road to Marsimek la from the lake (taken while lookin back)


Phobrang is where things got difficult for us. As i had left before Ravi did, i stepped into the camp to get permission to ride ahead. The officers were just not willing to listen to my insane demands. Their own army trucks had difficulty going up plus the fact that the Tibet border was just miles away didnt make matters easier. Somehow, after half an hour, they gave us the nod!
We removed our entire luggage, reduced the tyre pressure and started the final 20km ride. This was what i had waited for the last 5 days.
The road, err, path initially wasnt difficult. Just a dirt path cut across the big mountain side. We kept the bikes at around the 30-35km/h mark. No soul in sight, just two mad bikers going upto Marsimek la!

This is how the path starts

Isolation at its best!


You start wishing for a vehicle at every curve.. but are disappointed

Soon, the path became worse and steep. The bikes were now running and in 1st and 2nd. Speeds dropped to 20km/h. I even gave a lift to a local gypsy guy who was searching for this herd of wild horses. We even saw wild Himalayan marmots. We had still not come across any other person or vehicle.

Soon, ahead of us lay numerous rocky paths. It seemed the army trucks had made their own road - shorter, though steeper. Their off-road tyres (and 4x4) meant they could do it. I however made a mistake of taking one of these shortcuts. Oh boy - it was tough. The bike at over 17000feet just wudnt climb such shortcuts. I had to literally paddle the bike up! Ravi in the meatime, with an advantage of the FI literally flew past me.

It took us a good 30min to ride the last 5-6km. Finally we could see the top. But it started becoming dark. it was hardly 12noon - but soon i could see tiny flakes running in air. it was snowing - at close to 18000feet. WTF!

Ravi's bike made it up - i could see him waiting at the top. Mine just kept dying. The engine felt breathless. I had to get off the bike, rev it, burn the clutch and push it up so many times. I couldnt breathe. the air was super thin. I gave up - sat next to my bike, touched it and begged - come on, just 500m more. Do it, for my sake. She responded - it was like man and machine working hard to make it upto the top. I was panting like a dog, pushing it up and the last few hundred meters. It was getting super cold as well. finally, we made it and i saw the sign - M MEKLA (Masimek la as we know of it).


I didnt know wat to do - i put the bike on the side stand, and fell to the ground. it was overwhelming. My breath fogged up the visor. Tears almost rolled down my eyes - i had made it. We had made it. to 18640 feet.
My watched showed 18460 but i didnt care. this was as high as it gets thru dirt / rocky steep paths. AMS started sinking in - my head was aching though snow flakes had disappeared.

At the top


Walking to the bike...


Thanking it...

And posin for Ravi's cam



Ravi and i hugged each other, took some snaps and started the ride back. one hour, 20km later we were at Phobrang.

The ride back

Finally got some company!



The Army guys were surprised to know our puny machines with road tyres made it up. They offered us hot tea which we just cudnt refused... It was close to 2pm and we still had to reach Leh. It was time to head back, speed up and catch up with the other guys... Day 6 had been etched deep inside my heart forever...