Manali to Lahaul + Crazy Hike

After acclimatization in Manali for three nights at an altitude of 2000 meters, it was time to raise the bar. So we moved to Pattan valley (Altitude 3200 meters) in the Lahaul and Spiti ditrict of the Himachal Pradesh in India. We stayed in a small village of only six houses with the family of my friend "Ravi" whom I knew from my college days in Chandigarh, India. Pattan Valley was approximately 160 kms from Manali and it took us 10-12 hours to cover this distance. The prominent landmark enroute was Rohtang Pass on the inner Himalayan range at an altitude of 3975 meters. This was the highest point of the road from Manali to Pattan and it offered some excellent views of the Lahaul and Spiti valley towards north and Kullu Valley towards south. The ascent from Manali to Rohtang was very steep (2000 meters in 51 km) and the road was always winding.

0911 - Sweet Nathalie amidst not so sweet Bollywood extras from a movie being filmed at Marhi (Altitude: 3300 meters) on our way to Rohtang Pass. Marhi means "Pile of dead bodies" in Hindi.

0911 - Yvan surrounded by the prayer flags at Marhi.

0911 - Rohtang La (Pass, Altitude: 3975 mt.) After 5 hours in the Van/SUV from Manali in which we covered 51 km, we reached this pass on the inner Himalayan range.

Lahauli Kitchen: Group enjoying a sumptuous meal in the Kithchen of our hosts in the Pattan Valley.

Our Hosts in Pattan Valley, Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India

Acclimatization Hike (Part Deux): A crazy hike to the caves (3800 meters) in Pattan valley that prepared the trekkers not to be scared of heights.

Yvan: Enjoying the view from the top.
Don't ask me how I took this photo.

Not for the faint at heart : It was quite a view from the top of the cliff but not everybody could make it. On dropping the stones from the top it took them 4 seconds to hit the ground.