Back in Leh out from Markha Valley after 'Deliverance' style epic 30k, 14hr trek from Nyimaling Plain to Hemis. Markha Trail desimated following prolonged storms causing severe flooding and damage to road and trail infastructure. The road from Shang to Hemis is impassable, washed out in several places, bridges were still standing up to Wed 5th Aug as we came out, but the halfway bridge crossing to true left bank had a gaping hole on the right hand bastion so that may be gone by Thus 6th August. Our escape back to Leh was only possible due to superhuman efforts of our Nepali guides. Heading down from the Gongmaru La Pass 5287m we had to 'Canyon' most of the mid to lower section from Lartsa to Shang. Sections had to be rapelled over waterfalls, and the majority of river crossings had to be roped. On one section of missing road below Shang we had to run a 60m rope to protect the traverse over the torrent. I believe their is a group of trekkers still camped at Shang waiting to get out when the river levels lower, thou if storms continue they may have to wait their a while. No WiFi coms from Leh at present, maybe out for 4/5 days, so posting this from Agra India. Anyway, off to the Penguin Cafe for a pizza and a bottle of weak Kingfisher. Helen had to summon up supreme courage to make it back to Leh, what a trooper!
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