We have spent the last few days in Leh - getting accustomed to the elevation, dry air, and clear skies.  After a few side trips to monasteries outside of Leh, we spent a couple of days in jeeps following the Zanskar and Indus rivers to reach Lamayuru, one of the oldest cave monasteries in Ladakh.  After a night of luxurious camping, we returned to Leh today in order to pack and prepare for the trek.  We will cross the Zanskar river by cable tomorrow and begin our the physical part of our adventure.  Our next update should be full of pictures and stories - but we will be out of contact for about ten days.