After the inner line

So let's go back a few days. We crossed the sensitive inner line very close
to Tibet, at one point only about a km away. Crossing the line meant the
end of mobile phone signals. Not because the steep and arid mountain
prevented access but because the Indians were jamming any signal, lest the
Chinese announce their decision to invade by mobile phone.

We were now in spiti valley proper although at least two days full riding
it was no ordinary valley more like riding along a dirt track carved out of
the rock in the side of the grand canyon with the alps occasionally popping
into view as we first gained height leaving the river below, then zig
zagged back down to the river to cross a bridge.

We got as far as Nacco where we stopped to find out the status of the land
slide.. It was only a few km away but impassable. We waited in the shade,
occasional blasts being heard around the corner.. Then as the sun lowered
we moved into the sun then finally as it set being the mountains we donned
warm gear. Eventually the news came that the road would not be cleared that
night, so we set off to find accommodation in nacco. Basic to say the least
but with lots of good interaction with some motorbiking indians who, with
the assistance of dad managed to restore electricity to our humble abode.