Surviving -20ºC on a Scooter (Leh to Changthang)

They said don’t do it. We did it anyway. Welcome to the most dangerous and adventurous leg of our journey so far: riding from Leh to the Changthang Plateau on a scooter in sub-zero temperatures. From kickstarting a frozen engine at -13ºC to reaching the boiling hot springs of Chumathang, this ride pushed us (and our gear) to the limit. In this vlog, we navigate the high-altitude desert, deal with freezing feet, and find some of the most stunning—yet littered—landscapes in the world. I also share a moment of local hospitality in a place where modern plumbing is a luxury. Our goal: reach Nyoma or the tiny village of Ronggo to reunite with some old friends. Inside this adventure: 00:00:39 The Frozen Kickstart: Why you can't rely on batteries in the cold 00:01:10 The Mission: Heading to Nyoma and Ronggo (185km away) 00:02:30 The Risk: What happens if you break down at 4,500m? 00:03:42 Fuel Update: Where to find the last petrol stations after Leh 00:04:20 The Frozen Indus: Ice floating in the river 00:05:05 Pit Stop in Karu: Splitting off toward the Manali highway 00:07:30 Navigation Confusion: Finding the road to Chumathang 00:08:45 Checkpoints & Permits: The paperwork needed for Changthang 00:10:00 Arrival in Upshi: Beautiful views vs. the reality of litter in India 00:11:45 Crossing the Indus: Stunning mountain vistas 00:13:00 First Snow: Missy's reaction to the "ice situation" 00:14:45 Chumathang Hot Springs: Boiling water at -12ºC 00:18:15 Missy's "Dal Rice" Mountain Analogy 00:20:30 Local Life: Seeing inside a traditional Ladakhi home 00:22:45 Rare Hospitality: Finding a restroom in a remote village 00:24:45 The Last Stretch: Two hours left to Ronggo Let's connect on Instagram:   / dctravelerexperience