Returning to Kargil we bumped into some other British boaters who had just returned from the Dras, which was where we were planning to go next. From what we knew the Dras has a reputation for being an amazing run, which the other guys confirmed, the only downside is it also has a reputation for the army kicking groups off the river due to its proximity to the Pakistani border. The other guys had had no trouble from the army at all, so we decided to give it a go.
(Photo Tim Burne)
We put on 20km above Dras, where the river is quite flat and braided, but the river soon turns into something which really feels like a Welsh creek; relatively low volume in shallow rocky gorges, with 2 portages where the river constricts to less than a boats width. As more and more smaller streams enter the river the volume quickly increases and you are reminded you are in the Himalayas.
It took us two days to paddle down to the confluence with the Suru, with nothing more than friendly waves from the dozens of military personnel we saw on the banks. So if your in India, or planning a trip here I think its safe to say that after two successful descents within a week, the army are much more relaxed about paddlers than they may have been in the past on this amazing section of river.
August 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm |
Ooh! Looks like a swirley surgey schloopfest.