Outpost Magazine just revisited a story I wrote about a series of trade routes that brought Pashmina wool from high in the Himalayas down into the market towns. Story is here.
A portion of a trade route that linked Ladakh’s corridors with regions further south. Pashmina, salt, and anything with value that could be packed was hauled along the route.
Along with salt, resin, and of course that wonderful stimulant fuel, tea, Pashmina was another of the commodities that allowed nomads and remote communities some autonomy.
Within the tent of a Karnak nomad, time speaking about Pashmina over tea with the headman
One of the great sources of Pashmina were two nomadic groups of Tibetans, the Rupshu and the Karnak.
About JeffFuchs
Having lived for a decade in Yunnan, Fuchs’ work has centred on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories along with an obsessive interest in tea.
Fuchs is the author of 'The Ancient Tea Horse Road' (Viking-Penguin) and he was the subject of 'The Tea Explorer' documentary based on his exploration of the Tea Horse Road.
His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in publications such as Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and UNESCO amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America, and Asia. Fuchs served as Asian Editor at Large for five years at award-winning Outpost magazine.
Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures.
His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures.
Fuchs partnered with Wild China to create a journey along the Tea Horse Road which National Geographic Traveler called one of the "50 Trips of a Lifetime".
He is co-founder of Akahiao Nature Institute on the island of Hawai'i along with his wife, Julie Rogers.
Hello Jeff-
Many thanks for the link to the article in Outpost. It provided some different (and wonderful) photos than in the original entry here on your blog (also filled with super images). I was hoping to see a photo of the bharal. When their stately, magical passing by your convoy occurred, you did not have a camera at the ready? Or maybe such a photo just didn’t turn out as one had hoped? Good thing your adept written description brings forth something of their essence.
I continue to appreciate your work and the Jalam teas!
Snow & Blow Spring Greetings from the Manitoulin!
Lynne
Good to ‘hear’ from you Lynne. Many shots of the Bharal, which I’ll send to your email address. So good to read that the teas are still pleasing. This month’s Purple Leaf is something special and look forward to your thoughts on it. Best to you from Big Island Hawaii where it pours rather than blows. -Jeff