Cholung Valley with 20,000 foot peaks surrounding Dalai Lamas sacred lake. We were scheduled to do a 3 day kora/hike back into a high alpine mountain monastery, sacred lakes and monastic retreat
Local families involved in gathering vegetables and herding cattle as we pass them on the road
Camping in the Cholung Valley. Migmar was gathering horses from the farmers for our planned 3 day, 30 mile hiking trip up high into the upper ranges to the Dalai Lamas summer worshiping monastery. The hills had the ruins of ancient fortresses on the rock outcroppings that guarded the mountain passes
Pencil sketch of the farms and terrain around or campsite. small groups of trees sheltered the houses from the high altitude sun rays. Gentle breezes flowed over the mustard fields
It was a beautiful little valley we pitched tents in, in the distance. We watched the weather change from blue sky to storm as the farmers tended their fields and we walked the river with some local kids. Saw a blue Tibetan fox in this valley.
Two 5X12" pencil drawings of the the sweeping panoramas up and down the valley. We had learned that the farmers were using their horses to gather valuable bugs (really...worth a years pay) and couldn't carry our gear so our kora was "postponed" but who cares...we were in Tibet.
A tremendous storm boiled up over these 20,000+ ft peaks and was lit up by a evening sunset. The sky turned a black blue and all the summits were red.
Delicious curry dinner cooked up by Magmar in the mess tent. They baked a cake for my son, Steven's birthday and George laughed his ass off at my stupidity.
Yumbulagang Tower, perhaps the oldest structure in Tibet built in 700 AD. Located on a rocky ridge above an ancient farming village. One of the first Tibetan kings fortresses and empires. Prayer flags sweep from the ridges above
The steep stairs leading to a large chorten and lower terraces. The monks keep guard over the sacred relics and ancient books
For a small fee this old gent will break off and place fragrant bundles of incense in the burner for good luck
The mustard fields of Yarlung Valley
Yet another unfinished Chinese hotel something-or-another. A concrete spiral staircase on the edge of a broken down stone wall. Interesting construction using bamboo and scrap pieces of plywood for forms. This drawing was done from the little window of our little hotel room
Delicious local watermelon weighed, delivered and then cut up for our entire crew of 7. We clowned around as we figured out who got what pieces of juicy melon
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