Leh-Ladakh and tons in between Part II

We began descending Rohtang pass and boy, the road just vanished. What we had in front of us was a combination of the mud that had flown on to the erstwhile road, with stones and small rivers that had chosen to flow through our path.

 

Our bikes would often get stuck in the shin deep muck but somehow we pulled through. It was getting even more difficult as we kept moving forward. Then, at one point both mine and David’s bike got stuck. My Avenger was a self-start so it started up and moved on without a stutter. But the bullet wouldn’t come to life at all. Besides, all this was happening in pitch dark, as David couldn’t keep his bike’s headlights on. It would’ve drained the battery.

 

So here we were. In the middle of nowhere, with steep mountain on one side and deep valley on the other, deep slush and muck at our feet, with no moon or stars or even a flickering light anywhere in the mountains around us, at 3 degree celsius.

 

We only had prayers on our lips.

 

And on this occasion, God did answer and very quickly at that. A Mahindra Xylo drove up behind us and he stopped to check on us seeing us stuck. He was a local and knew exactly how bad our situation was. He offered to follow us, showing us the road ahead with his headlights.

 

A little ahead, on another extremely difficult muddy patch, David’s bike was stuck again. This time even his strength gave way. The air is very thin at high altitudes and even a little effort takes away a lot from you.

 

The Xylo driver stepped out of his car and into the deep muck and helped David start his bike. He didn’t know the technique to start the bullet. Yes, there is a technique; it’s a bullet afterall. But he still tried and after 7-8 random powerpacked kicks, the bike came alive.

 

He followed us patiently for over 12-15 kilometers of treacherous terrain. He could’ve easily zoomed past us but he didn’t. He didn’t’ even honk once to hurry us on. He kept his promise and didn’t leave our side till we cleared the pass and reached the next village, Koksar.

 

Both David and I believe this was a real life divine intervention. We thanked this nameless man everyday of the trip.