philip_pj
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Zanskaris are among the friendliest people in the Himalaya, in my experience. They would share their last meal with you, literally, and they know what it means to be self-sufficient. Their small hydro plant freezes early in winter, so they use gas for survival in the minus 45 degree temps. I once asked a driver how cold it got. He said 'when you spit, it freezes instantly and bounces off the ground'. Plenty of other places get cold, but add in 4000m and it just attacks you in a full frontal assault.
Now things are going to change fast, as the Shingo La road from Keylong and Palamo is trafficable, and the BRO is working to keep the Kargil-Rangdum road open year-round. Soon the link will be up across the northern route as well, so you can then drive from the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers at Nimo across the awesome section near Lingshed to Padum. Another place to see if you can is Rupshu (Tso Moriri area), it's the nearest place to Tibet in altitude and character. The Indian army and BRO are really decent and are pretty OK with you going out there. cheers.
Chortens at Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh, lovely RX1 Sonnar quality
Zanskar road construction on a 45 degree slope. One cuts, the other cleans up. 300m up.
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