Tibetan Pilgrim
 On Pilgrimage in the Land of Snows: Visiting the Sacred Sites of Tibet

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The peak of Dakpa Shelri (The Pure Crystal Mountain). This is the main mountain that the Tsari curcuit goes around.
The peak of Dakpa Shelri (The Pure Crystal Mountain). This is the main mountain that the Tsari circuit goes around.

 

A small village on the way to Tsari.
The evening clouds come into the cover the border region of India and Tibet. The left side of the photo is India and the right side is Tibet.

 

There are a number of basic stone pilgrim huts like this one on the curcuit around Dakpa Shelri..
There are a number of basic stone pilgrim huts like this one on the circuit around Dakpa Shelri.

 

This area is the wettest place in Tibet. The monsoon from India dumps endless amount of rain into the valleys of the Tsari region.
This area is the wettest place in Tibet. The monsoon from India dumps endless amount of rain into the valleys of the Tsari region.

 

The curcuit around Tsari consist of more than 7 passes that are in the range of 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft (4570m to 5200m).
The circuit around Tsari consist of more than 7 passes that are in the range of 15,000ft to 17,000ft (4570m to 5200m).

 

This area is known for being the home of a number of plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.
This area is known for being the home of a number of plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.

 

Even when it would stop raining there was always a mist from the fog and the clouds. This made it almost impossible to ever dry anything.
Even when it would stop raining there was always a mist from the fog and the clouds. This made it almost impossible to ever dry anything.

 

If you are not climbing a high mountain pass then you are decending from one. There was almost no flat ground during the walk.
If you are not climbing a high mountain pass then you are descending from one. There was almost no flat ground during the walk.

 

The lake Potrang Yum Tso, (The Mother Palace Lake). One of the most sacred lakes on the curcuit around Tsari.
The lake Potrang Yum Tso, (The Mother Palace Lake). One of the most sacred lakes on the circuit around Tsari.

 

Many places on the curcuit have piles of offering stones that also help to mark where the trail is.
Many places on the circuit have piles of offering stones that also help to mark where the trail is.

 

Tsari is home to many varities of Rhododendrons and is famous for a type that grows no where else in the world.
Tsari is home to many varieties of Rhododendrons and is famous for a type that grows no where else in the world.

 

A typical part of the mud curcuit around Tsari. The mud, rain and cold tempertures and high mountain passes made this a really difficult walk.
A typical part of the mud circuit around Tsari. The mud, rain and cold temperatures and high mountain passes made this a really difficult walk.

 

A small pile of offering stones on the trail side.
A small pile of offering stones on the trail side.

 

A good part of the trail around Dakpa Shelri.
A good part of the trail around Dakpa Shelri.

 

Rain forest on the southern part of the Tsari curcuit.
Rain forest on the southern part of the Tsari circuit.

 

Cooking on a wood fire in a pilgrim hut on the Tsari curcuit.
Cooking on a wood fire in a pilgrim hut on the Tsari circuit.

 

The white water just poured out of these small valleys.
The white water just poured out of these small valleys.

 

Looking down on to the small settle of Yume near the end of the Tsari curcuit.
Looking down on to the small settle of Yume near the end of the Tsari circuit.

 

After days and nights of rain everything I had was soaked including my sleeping bag. I took me a long time to make a fire with the wet wood and get some of my things dried out, so that I would not freeze in a wet sleeping bag.
After days and nights of rain everything I had was soaked including my sleeping bag. I took me a long time to make a fire with the wet wood and get some of my things dried out, so that I would not freeze in a wet sleeping bag.

 

Samye is the first monastery that was built in Tibet
A Tibetan house from the Tsari region.

 

Ray with a Tibetan friend.
Ray with a Tibetan friend.

 

There is a little timber that is being taken out of the Tsari region, but because it so inaccessible most of the entire area is still virgin old grown forest.
There is a little timber that is being taken out of the Tsari region, but because it so inaccessible most of the entire area is still virgin old grown forest.

 

Two Tibetan girls from my truck.
Two Tibetan girls from my truck ride back to Lhasa.

 

Samye is the first monastery that was built in Tibet
A young Tibetan girl that came to Tsari with her family.

 

The road sometimes degenerated into a endless mud pit which did not make it easy for driving. We would often have to get out and push the truck out of the mud.
The road sometimes degenerated into a endless mud pit which did not make it easy for driving. We would often have to get out and push the truck out of the mud.

 

 

Friends I shared the truck ride back to Lhasa with.
Friends I shared the truck ride back to Lhasa with.

 

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All images and text Copyright © 2004 Ray Kreisel