A 480 km long foot race is going to be held on the Manali-Leh Highway on 20th June. I have come for this race. Today we went to the administrator to seek permission for the event, SDM says come tomorrow, meet in the office, sit and talk and grant permission.
The view from Madhi, road leads to Rohtang pass from here
We had gone to Manali to talk about permission from where we had lunch. By now the dark clouds have turned into rain. It started raining heavily outside. I also tried to make a timelapse but nothing was made because of the rain.
Crossed Gulaba check post
I wrote yesterday's hive post sitting in the quilt, after which local runner Hiralal came to meet us. We talked to him that Marhi runners will cross at night and we have to talk to the restaurateurs located there so that the runners can get dinner, tea, coffee and hot water at night.
The road to Rohtang pass
Hiralal says okay let's go to Madhi today. He brings his car from which we leave for Madhi which is about 30 km from Solang Valley. Soon we cross Gulab check post. Manali is visible below from here, Khanpari Tibba Peak is visible above Manali, Patalsu Peak is in front of us and Rohtang Pass is visible above.
The Rohtang Mountain Range and waterfall
Reach Marhi from where a lot of snow is visible, the vehicles of tourists have jammed on Rohtang Pass. A strong and very cold wind is blowing on the hill. We talk to a restaurateur with whom we talked last year. He gets ready to stay awake at night and feed the runners.
Khanpari peak visible from Gulaba
We walk around the restaurant chatting, watching the sun go down and the eagles flying by. The height here is 3300 meters and from here onwards the road goes to Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh. Runners will cross this place at night on race day.
The Peak in shadow is Patalsu peak which is 4400meter high
Talking to the people here, we came to know that the temperature is going down to -1 degree every night and stormy wind is blowing at night. People say that this year the runners are going to face a lot of problems as it is still snowing on the highway.
Once i was there on that mountain to visit Bhirgu lake
After settling everything, we come back. I kept my head covered all the way because I catch cold very easily. We will come here on 19th and be a part of the 480 km long race. Rest of the updates next time.
