Day 10, Chitkul, 11,316', H.P., India	©Bill Holter

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10) 8/27/99 Start ride: 7:45 AM Sangla to Chitkul Ride: 6 hours total Miles Ridden: 30 Start Altitude: 8,987 ft. End Altitude: 8,987 ft. Up at 5:30 am, on the road by 7:45 am. We ride 15 miles up to the end of the valley to the village of Chitkul. The forest and scenery remind me of Colorado. Chitkul (11,316') is a small village built up against the side of the mountain and is the last village at the upper end of the valley. High above it is the edge of a giant morain. It would be nice to trek here someday! We stop and eat lunch and then roll back down to Sangla. Tonight we have a "cultural dance troupe" and cold beer after dinner. The troupe shows up with a drummer and some extra singers. All of them wear the traditional garb of Kinnaur and begin to dance and sing around the lantern. Soon we have a slightly drunken line dance going with a mountain biker leading the procession. Ah, cultural exchanges! Later that night someone appropriates some of the soup bowls and camp stools.