The Shifting Sands

The last of the streams On our previous ride we entered Tungeshwar National Park from the east and were turned back by time and gradient.  We committed to come back so two weekends ago a larger group of us met at the park entry on the western side. All this only an hour from Bandra The road was great, a few creek fords and a steady climb to start which gave way to steeper sections.  The track was wet from recent rainfall and this added some spice to the ride.  There were rock sections and muddy sections which all made it great fun. The track showing signs of the overnight rain I had limited time so I turned around when the serious climbing was done after 90 minutes while the others headed for tea at the Ashram near the summit.  A nice 30 minute descent saw me back in the car park. and I was in Bandra an hour later An accidental photo! Next time we will head over the summit and down the other side f

It had been two years since my last climbing trip to northern India. So to make up for the lost year, this trip was for two weeks with the objective of climbing two 6000 metre peaks.  I also decide to change the agency that I used and an old climbing friend of mine suggested that I contact Luke Smithwick who is the owner operator of Himalaya Alpine.  He specialises in customised trips to seldom traveled parts of the Himalaya. Horses trying to stay warm in the rain on Rhotang pass After some back and forth, it was decided to go to the Lahul area of Himachal Pradesh, Gangstan and Ramjack, as in September the monsoon is normally finished in the Lahul region Looking north over the town of Keylong.  If you want good Momo's try Himalayan Dhaba on the right as you walk downhill I met Luke and Kyle, an Alaskan guide, in Manali along with Kunsong, a Nepali living in Manali and Gomba Sherpa from the Khumbu.  We were also joined by Charles from the Philippines They b