Zanskar to go mobile

For better or for worse (better if you are Zanskari, worse if you are a Western romantic) Zanskar is about to receive BSNL mobile coverage. The transmitter is apparently in situ and waiting for the last commissioning strokes before Zanskaris can use their much cherished handsets. This is a significant step up from Zanskar’s previous ‘mobile’ service which relied on the use of cordless handsets (designed for around-the-house use) in the bazaar!

I wonder if the Zanskaris will fall into the trap of offensive ringtones and overly loud telephone conversations in public about nothing particularly pressing. I await the ‘Om mane padme hung’ ringtone: I suspect it exists already.

More on the story can be found
here.

snow hampers September trekkers

As well as closing the Leh - Manali road, the heavy snowfall on the 19th September (sorry this is a bit late - I have been busy and not keeping an eye on the news!) played havoc with trekking groups in Zanskar. Marco Vasta reports being stuck at Shade, whilst another group was reportedly stuck at Tantak waiting to cross the passes that lead into Shun. Groups also returned from the more popular Shinko La area, opting instead to return to Kargil by road.