American Autumn Shishapangma Expedition 2005: Circumambulating in Lhasa

Sunset on Shishapangma from Base Camp

"The way of cowardice is to embed ourselves in a cocoon, in which we perpetuate our habitual patterns. When we are constantly recreating our basic patterns of behavior and thought, we never have to leap into fresh air or onto fresh ground. ... The first impulse that draws us away from the darkness of the cocoon towards the light of the Great Eastern Sun is a longing for ventilation. As soon as we begin to sense the possibility of fresh air...we want to stretch out and walk, dance, even jump."

As I read these words by Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche about habitual cocoons, the thoughts found their place in me. These are some of the reasons I go on trips like these--to leap into fresh air and onto fresh ground and see what I will see, how I will react, what is real.

What is real in Lhasa are thousands of pilgrims circumambulating the Jokhang--Tibet's most holy temple, where in the 6th century the king of Tibet threw up his ring into the air, and where it fell a stupa began in what was then the middle of a lake. The reality of intense burning incense finds me when I linger too long near the smoke. The 'high altitude' sun burns any unprotected soul. The Potala Palace is truely majestec, viewed almost anywhere around Lhasa. Chinese taxi drivers will 'extort' you if you are lost, even if driving you 2.5 blocks to your destination (though the extortion is small at $1.25). Buddist monks convene in a courtyard and have the most lively interaction--one question, one answer; students asking any question they want and masters there to give a quick and animated reply, slapping their hands at the conclusion; but then the roles reverse and an eight year old will be doing the answering; nothing is held back.

My smile was there the whole day. I was walking, dancing, and I might even jump on the way home tonight.

-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