American Autumn Shishapangma Expedition 2005: In search of a panda in Chengdu

Sunset on Shishapangma from Base Camp

I made it into China! On the way in I declared my 80 lbs of food (which was actually 125 lbs) and the Motorola radios, but those were fine and they let me pass with no problems. Mr. Fuching met me at the airport, all ready with my name on a sign, and most importantly the good news that I will be able to fly to Lhasa tomorrow (and not have to wait in Chengdu for everyone else to arrive).

Chengdu is humid. The crossing lights at streets have three indicators: stop, a green pedestrian, and a green bicycle with a rotating wheel. It is a city of three million in the inner city, with over 9 million in the surrounding area. My friend tells me that those who work here do not have time for vacation. There are many concrete buildings, but not only concrete. Skyscrapers intermingle with small shops dedicated to selling pantyhose, snacks, or keys. The bike lane on the major streets is almost as wide as the car lane. In the 'people's park' there are birds that talk back to you (do rei me), ordinary people recording their 'MTV' song, friends rowing a boat in the small lake, community dancers learning new steps, and singers blaring their better (and louder) songs fifteen feet from the next group. 

Now I'm in search of a panda, but I'm not sure I'll find one today. I have seen them painted on many bicycles. I have seen them pictured on underwear. I saw a huge sign of the 'panda mall' with 20 ft tall letters 50 floors above me, but alas when I arrived here, it is still under construction (it is a two year project, as I learned from the nice woman who is letting me use the internet, and it will only be a mall then). I have even seen a panda on a packet of cigarettes (named 'Pride'). But as for the live ones, I think they're hiding in the hills.

-Val

Updates

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

Altitude pre-
   acclimatization

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes
   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps
   Helmets

   HighGear
   Ice Axes

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Lowepro

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here