Chicham Day 5 - The Snow Leopard.

8th February. The weather was holding out. Locals had been complaining about the lack of snowfall that year. The levels of snow that had fallen would not last more than a month.

Went down past the bridge. Stopped the vehicle near an outcrop and headed to the edge of the gorge. 

Heights and me have an issue. My knees start melting. They quake when my kids head to the edge. Normally stay a few feet back. 

There were Ibex on the opposite side. Amazing actually to see them walk down the mountain side as easily as we walk on a wide path.

We stayed a while being Ibex enthusiasts before we started slowly back to the gypsy. As we were heading back, we saw a group of trackers heading purposefully towards another edge of the gorge, not too far from us. 

In a bit, we were called back. The sighting had taken place.

The pair of leopards up above Kibber had been disturbed by the noisy few who had reached the heights. Finding it too cold and the leopards too far for any decent photography the group had been loudly complaining. It is believed that these loud people were the cause of the leopards making their way down.

The trackers this morning had seen the tracks as soon as they crossed the Chicham bridge, and had been scanning the rock formations looking for them.

We were the first to get to see the leopards, curled up in a rock ledge.

 And then, they moved.

 Believe me when I say that spotting them is tough. They disappear so easily. Well camouflaged, they can stay still for long periods. Even when you know where they are, when you take your eyes off them and them try and locate them again, it takes time.

The crowds had by now arrived. Jostling had started. And, the cats were moving down, and across the stream. 

I lost them, completely. Maybe, the others had them as they were so much on the edge of the gorge. But, I was satisfied. I had a great movie of them climbing down.

My fingers were frozen. So, headed away from the crowds to get come circulation back. Spoke to our guide, confirming departure at 1200. 

After, of course, much back slapping and hugs all around.

Then I saw them again.

Crawled to the edge, between a couple of bazookas, sat on a bit of rock not covered by snow, leaned over, and took my time to spot them.

Must say, the owners of the cameras were very helpful. As all now were. The build up of the last four days, the adrenaline in the system, had been let out. No more snappiness. Smiles all around.

That last picture was just to give you an idea of the distance.

We left the war zone just after that. Took a group picture with the tracker, guide and porter. Wished all well. Did the honours of tipping them generously. Got into the Gypsy much satisfied.

 These guys would probably stay with the leopard movement till sunset.

We had our fill.

The plan was to go down to Rangrik, where our guide was building a hotel. Have lunch, change vehicles. Get back into the Isuzu and it's comforts. Then head out to Lidang to our guide's house where he had left his purse. Then go on to Tabo. The Hot Water bath was waiting.

 The plains, after all the days in the hills. A bit lower, still in snow land.

Had a hot lunch at Rangrik. The Isuzu took time to get started. The fuel system needed a fire lit under to unfreeze itself and start flowing.

Got to Lidang, where we saw another design of the bokhara.

Got to Tabo in time for tea.