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Shingo-la is a mountain pass in India, on the border between
Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. There is a shallow
lake or pool 20m below the pass. The pass is on a
long-distance footpath linking Zanskar and Lahaul, used often
by trekkers and locals alike. For trekkers it is one of the
technically easiest 5000m passes in Indian Himalaya,which
involve no glacier trekking nor steep climbs. There is snow on
the pass all year round, although in the summer only a small
stretch of snow has to be passed. There is no official sign
declaring height of the pass. The height indicated by various
trekking website varies from 4900 to 5100 meters.
This pass may be regarded as an entry point to Lugnak Valley
in Zanskar. The closest inhabited village on Zanskar side is
Kurgiak and on the Lahaul side is Chikka. Both the villages
usually involves two days trekking from the pass. The base
camp for crossing the pass are set up at Chumik Nakpo from
Darcha side and Lakham from Padum side.
The Indian government is planning to construct a road over
Shingo La. Presently there is no road going south from
Zanskar. However there is an unmetalled road till Zanskar
Sumdo which is 9-10 hrs from this pass towards Darcha side.
The four-wheelers however can come till Palamo which is about
8 km from Zanskar Sumdo towards Darcha side.
The Shingo La links the Bhaga valley in the south with the
Tsarap Valley in the north. The route has no technical
difficulties. Only snow can make the tough crossing of the
pass and a wet affair.
Darcha of a road in the south to Zanskar Sumdo leads (up to
here with jeep). There, the river is crossed east on a
suspension bridge. Over a short steep climb, the valley is
reached that leads to the pass. First, alpine meadows and
scree alternate. Then the path leads mostly through rubble and
gradually becoming steeper to the lake just below the pass.
Here are a few streams to cross, which may cause a lot of
water during the thaw.
From the north, you climb out of the valley at Tsarap Purne
into the valley of Kargyak. After a short steep section of the
valley is arrived very slowly rising. About the places Yal,
Testa, Kuru, Trangtse Shing and the last place Kargyak is
reached in 4125 m height. Also the other way increases slowly.
It marches on through alpine meadows exactly to the marked
Gumburanjon to, which is a very popular photo. At its foot the
valley swings southwest, where in 4475 m of warehouse space
Lhakhang Sumdo is achieved. Here the steep climb to the pass
that from 4700 m (camp Lhakhang) through the rubble of a
former glacier. But you can also encounter on a steep snow
field when the winter snow is not melted. |
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