American Autumn Shishapangma Expedition 2005: Solar cookers in Lhasa

Sunset on Shishapangma from Base Camp

So much happens in one day. A life. There was Mandy from Beijing who took me on the bus into downtown in search of a bicycle to rent. There was learning how to say thank you in Tibetan. The wonderful new taste of strong honey ginger tea. The sound of the unaligned bicycle tire hitting the rear brake again, and again, and...

There was the tiny home of two Buddhist nuns built from a cave: 3 rooms only, one for sleeping and praying, one for storing pots, one for storing food, their solar cooker busy boiling water using natural solar power set outside next to the planted flowers, a chair for the kitty to curl up and sleep in.

There was bargaining for a necklace or earrings or prayer beads. Getting lost in the Drepung Monastery, wandering up and around stairs and through temples, sometimes just staring at the rugged surrounding mountains and rocks, sometimes walking quickly by the smell of urine, sometimes climbing a ladder into a world of red and yellow and butter lamps and buddhas.

It is real that this monastery once held over 10,000 monks, but since the Chinese invasion of Tibet now has only 500.

The rest of the team finally arrived in Lhasa. We have met our Tibetan porter Pemba, who has the summits of both Shishapangma and Chomolungma under his belt, and looks to be a good guy. I've finished our first set of individual video interviews of the team. I upgraded my internet option to the nice glass enclosed dining building of the Tibetan Mountaineering Guide School. I even washed all of my socks.

-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.

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