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Monday, Aug 15, 2005

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Cruising through the world's highest motorable pass

Luv Puri

The Khardungla pass is situated at a height of 18, 300 ft and is maintained by the Leh-based 14 Corps The pass is strategically situated, as Nubra Valley is the gateway to the Siachen Glacier and the border post of Turtuk.

KHARDUNGLA: This summer the thrill of driving through the world's recorded highest motorable pass situated at 18,300 feet above sea level has brought thousands of tourists here. The picturesque Nubra Valley is also a feast to the eye.

Khardungla Pass in Ladakh is strategically situated, as Nubra is the gateway to the Siachen Glacier and the border post of Turtu [which came under India's control in 1971-72].

Essential supplies to the glacier, the world's highest battlefield, and other forward areas are carried through the pass, maintained by Leh-based 14 Corps.

Visitors may experience mountain sickness, headache, irregular breathing, lassitude and coughing. Any physical activity can be fatal. Hence, they are advised to rest on arrival.

York, a German who is leading a six-member motorcycle expedition, says: "It feels great to have made it on a motorcycle to the world's highest motorable pass. The experience cannot be described in words."

A diversion from the pass leads to the Nubra Valley, covered with thickets of sea buckthorn used by the villagers as fuel and for fencing the fields. It is also used to manufacture syrups that are supplied to the soldiers at Siachen.

Caravan route

Long ago, this was a caravan route leading to Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels took the route annually. A small population of Central Asian Bactrian camels, shaggy double-humped animals can still be found here. Visitors can enjoy camel safaris to the cold desert.

Satish Nehru, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, says: "We will introduce camel expeditions from Leh to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan during the Leh festival in September."

Joins the Indus

The Nubra Valley comprises the Nubra and the Shayok rivers, which meander in many shifting channels over a broad sandy plain before joining the Indus in Baltistan in the northern areas across the Line of Control.

Though the valley is extremely cold here, Panamik, the last major settlement before the caravans enter the Karakoram, has its own attraction. The village has thermal springs and is termed the world's highest `dhobighat'

Capt. Ansul, who recently served in the Siachen, says: "The washing here goes on round the year and soldiers on the Siachen look forward to a bath here after a gruelling three-month stay at the Siachen."

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