Saturday, June 20, 2015

Hiking in Shangri-La: Day 3

On the third day of our trek, we hiked steadily upward through a series of pastures and meadows covered in azalea.  We also cleared the dense forests of the first two days as we neared tree line, and got our first extended, expansive views of the area.  The altitude of our camp was around 13,000 feet. The thin air and thinning vegetation gave our campsite a truly remote feel.

 If the horses didn't leave camp before us, they would usually pass us in the morning.  Here, little Drolma catches a ride on the way to the next camp.  Drolma and her family accompanied us for the entire trek, serving as guides and cooks. Her grandmother is leading the horse.

 Photo shoot: Elma and Elisa

Photo shoot, kind of: Ray and Lucas

 Yaks and abandoned huts dotted the route.

 Ray, Lucas, Nick, and CJ near the camp.  The last part of the day's hike was essentially up the valley fanning out behind them.

 Though we didn't encounter much rain, it was the start of the rainy season, and shifting clouds made for dramatic scenery against the backdrop of the mountains.

Why are yaks so photogenic?

For the entire hike, we were treated to the tastiest concoctions of our hard-working guide team. They knew just the right combinations of spices and flavors (and oils!) to keep our bellies full and our bodies healthy.

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