The Grand Canyon of the Himalaya
The Tsarap Chu and Zanskar Gorge is one of the most spectacular river journeys in the world. Few places on earth can match the grandeur and sheer magnitude of the Zanskar Gorge.
This is high altitude self-support expedition kayaking at its finest!
I was leading Bob and Simon, two Nepal based kayakers who I had previously met on the Karnali a couple of years before.
Everything about the journey is an epic! The road in takes you over some of the highest passes a vehicle can cross in the world, including the Tanglang La some 5328m
Just check out what the altimetre is reading!
Kayaking on the roof of the world!
Our put-in at the Tsarap Chu River, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
The first box canyon on the Tsarap Chu, which had 7 in total including a brutal syphon rapid which we ran the last third of!
Bob looking a bit weary in the morning on day 3, the weather was kind to us and it was not really as cold as it could have been.
Now we were in Gompa land, the Tsarap Chu brings you past so many Gompas and Monastery's. You certainly know and are reminded that you are in the Buddhist part of Kashmir!
There were plenty of sweet stretches of canyon all along the Tsarap Chu, some had great rapids and waves, while others were just nice and chilled!
Phugtal Monastery clinging to the cliffs, towering high above the Tsarap Chu
A long days kayaking
Bob enjoying Peak UK's unique one piece suit
Another sweet view from camp. Phugtal Monastery is just behind and provided the perfect backdrop. The view is almost as good as from our house in Austria!
Reru Falls
Simon helping push the kayaks up while Bob and I pull. This epic portage was done at just under 4000m.
The portage was taking its tole on all of us!
Bob taking it all in, including what little oxygen was available
Simon taking 5 minutes after hauling, pushing and shifting kayaks with an average weight of 45kg.
We continued downstream to Padum running what was some of the best whitewater on the whole trip.
At Padum we had something to eat, resupplied and carried on to meet the Stod and the start of the Zanskar.
Part 2 - The Zanskar Gorge will follow in a few days......
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