The Himalayas, Kailash
Author: Atis Plakans0 COMMENTS
Climbing the Tibetan Himalayas requires some knowledge and awareness of the location and the role of religion there. It's abode of Buddhism, starting from numerous temples, many now in ruins, to the Potala Palace - the seat of Dalai Lama. The Polata Palace for a Buddhist means just as much as the Vatican for a Christian or Mecca for a Muslim. Unfortunately, the authenticity and uniqueness of Chinese-occupied territory of Tibet fades away day by day. Alongside with 6.5 million Tibetans, six million Chinese have settled down there. However that may be, the walk around holly Mt Kailash is a very special experience. Maybe it's because of numerous pilgrims, gathering there to pay homage to the mountain. Or maybe it's impact of mountains as such. Standing there, surrounded by its harshness wilderness, you come to realize that most of your former headaches have been almost over nothing. Money and success seem of so little value in the presence of something so much more impressive and powerful.
There is no need to go anyplace far to attain this revelation. Up to 5000 meters you can easily get by car, leaving nothing much for walking, and then mighty features of the northern face of Everest are at your fingertips. Mt Kailash is just 4 to 5 days drive from Tibetan capital Lhasa.
Tibet's lowest laying district is located 3.6 km above the sea level, therefore trekking routes lead outside inhabited areas. The last village vanishes from your sight along with 4.9 km mark. Upward, you can sleep only in tents. An occasional hut comes into your sight here and there, yet it is not so safe to count on that. Difficulties seem irrelevant, however, as the view from the northern slope of the Himalayas is fantastic! And who knows, being there in early spring, maybe you are lucky to catch the last snow as well.
The flow of tourists to Tibet grows by each year, yet the country itself is a vast, sparsely populated region. It leaves you wondering how it's possible to live there at all - at the altitude of nearly 5000 meters?! People plant potatoes early in the spring, eagerly waiting for the first rain to come, and a domesticated yak serves for all human needs, giving warm wool for clothing and milk and meat for food. Even animal droppings are carefully gathered, dried in the sun and used as fuel in winter. There are almost no trees at all - few poplars in the lower areas are artificially planted.
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