Tag Archives: sacred snow mountain

White from Above – Expedition Countdown

Departure date looms, white falls from above With three more days to go until departure on the Kawa Karpo expedition we’ve had a more than intense dump of snow from above, turning our town into something I wish it would … Continue reading

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An Ascent, An End

Skies, snow and peaks have replaced moss-laden trees and the mind clears along with this parting of the eyes’ peripheral. All of a sudden the introspection that has come with days of tunneling through gargoyle forests and wandering mosses gets … Continue reading

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Prostration and the Town of Thieves

  Jana is one of those towns that looks to be embarrassed with itself, somehow inward looking with its newly built homes falling into disrepair and a winding dusty road that is littered with refuse. We one depart it one … Continue reading

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A Rock and The Pass

The first night of sleep is under an enormous rock which overhangs our informal outdoor space. A huge sacred rock covered in money, inscriptions, prayer flags and offerings.  Pilgrims study it and raise up their eyes to it in wonder. … Continue reading

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First Steps and a Phalanx of Bodies

In their wonderfully tangible way mountains introduce, stymie and beckon. Heading northwest from Gyalthang (Zhongdian) through rows of brown folds Michael and I drop in altitude into the ‘rongba’ (valley towns) of hot valley floors only to ascend again into … Continue reading

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A Nomadic Mountain and a Yak God – Genyen and Brongri

  Brongri is a mountain god that is only called upon when nomadic disputes have reached a level when they cannot be solved by the mortal will. It should be noted that the Tibetan nomadic mortal will, whether in pursuit … Continue reading

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Yak ‘Beauty’ and a Switch – Mountains’ Tales

We awake with a shudder to mountain cold and the realization that something has changed overnight regarding our ‘team’. Clear air with a hint of blue in the sky as dawn gives way to day waits…. while by the fire … Continue reading

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Amne Machin White and A Travelling Circus

Our two yak stand still in the blowing white snow; around them there is nothing to suggest a specific time-period and looking at their ice-encrusted wool I imagine a time long ago when gas-spewing, noise machines on wheels hadn’t yet … Continue reading

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Abujee

  Many say snow is silent; I would say that snow silences and mutes like few other elements known, but it is not silent. Snow at altitude pops and pricks and it bounces in small booms especially when its good … Continue reading

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