Himalayan Odyssey Welcome to my Himalayan Odyssey. This series of pictures represents 3 journeys into the heart of the most majestic mountain range in the world. The 1st in 2007, was to find the best views of Everest without resorting to actual climbing and avoiding the obvious tourist spots. The 2nd in 2008, was to see how close we could get to the 3rd highest mountain, Kanchenjunga,”The Five Treasures of the Snow”, 8,450m. Going earlier in the season we encountered our fair share of spring weather conditions. In 2009 we went for close-up views of the largest mountain wholly within India, Nanda Devi, “The Bliss Giving Goddess”. Again travelling early in the season, this time with tents, our intended trail was closed due to avalanche risk. Undaunted, we tackled a trail rarely used, back into Namik Valley. Hopefully these images go someway to convey the magnificence of the Himalaya and it’s people. It is my intention to return at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, i’m getting my mountain fix from Scotland and the Alps, always choosing the path least trod.
Mong La (opposite).
Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
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View from Gokyo Ri (opposite). Tibetan traders (above).
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On average a typical load weighs a staggering 80 kiliograms.
The Lamjura La (opposite & above).
Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
The Dudh Kosi river drains the Mount Everest massif.
Ancient Buddhist temple (opposite). The Dudh Kosi Valley (above).
Namche Bazaar (above). Buddhist pilgrims lead the trail (opposite).
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Everest, 8848m
Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling, protest against 2008 Bejing Olympics.
Giant prayer wheel (above left). Image title (above right). Burning effigy (right).
Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
Series One Shangri La Shangri La is a supposedly fictional Himalayan Utopia of Earthly Paradise, where the people are almost immortal; a place that has become synonymous with a lost Eden cut off from the ravages of time and history. It is amongst one of the most enduring myths of the world. Various locations across the Himalaya (which when put into European context would stretch from London to Moscow) have claimed the title, largely to attract tourists. My search began in the Darjeeling foothills of the eastern Himalaya – an area best known throughout the world for the quality of its tea. However, it is also home to a collection of Series One Land Rovers that have been used by locals as a taxi service for the last 50+ years and are still going strong. A handful can be seen working the roads in Darjeeling itself, yet travel towards the Nepal border and you find a series one Shangri La, with 35 of them all working one “jeepable” track.
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Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
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Yah, little bit cold. Tashi, Sikkim
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Yak man Hurree.
Family temple.
West Ridge of Mt Pandim (6,691m)
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We thought we might be in a bit of trouble when our guide started praying.
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Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
Porters take a break (opposite).
Maecenas a pulvinar elit. Nulla convallis
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We live & learn, and big mountains are stern teachers. H.W. Tilman
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