I had gone to Leh in June, after returning from there I came out today. And also outside to Manali. From Manali I will go to Solang Valley, I like this place so much that I go here twice a year.
The reason for going to Solang Valley is the same this time too. Like every time, an ultra trail race is going to be held in Solang Valley on 30th September for which I have to do photography and complete the route marking work. We left this morning at 5am in Toyota Glanza. Our target today is to reach Solang Valley via Manali which is about 600 km from Gurgaon.
This time monsoon caused a lot of devastation in Himachal Pradesh. Since last 2 weeks, the weather has started getting better and the road has also been opened, so we also set out, and we had to go.
After leaving home, after 2.5 hours we stopped for breakfast at Neelkanth Dhaba which is in Karnal. Here we ate potato parathas with tea. By now the sun had come and we were back in the car. The car is running and we have switched on the AC.
After reaching Sundernagar, we take a break in which we drink one cup each with veg sandwich. After eating, I stand outside the restaurant and click photos of the mountains visible in front. Coming back to the car we soon cross Mandi. Found the worst route after Mandi, due to flood the road has been washed away and there is a long traffic jam. As we are approaching Manali the condition of the road is getting worse.
After Patlikuhal there was no road till Manali. The bus is overturned on the way, if we go a little further the trucks are overturned, small vehicles are buried under big boulders. The scene was really horrifying, I was saddened to see that common people suffered a lot.
Well we have reached Solang Valley at 7 o'clock and stayed in a hotel here today. The temperature is currently 12 degrees. Tomorrow's program is to mark the race route. I hope the weather remains clear so that we can go to the mountain.