"Today, it's easy", said our guide. Really, how far is Ralung from here? Is it flat? "Yes", answered our guide. Hum...not sure he understood me, so I checked the itinerary that I had downloaded from VisitTibet's website - After Nagartse we climb our second major pass, Karo La. It is an awe-inspiring site to see the massive glaciers rising nearly straight up from the road.
Yup, today's ride is not easy...nor flat. Mat and I decided today's ride will be a "recovery" ride and we're going to take it easy to the climb. Problem is...we're starting our day at 4400 meters and I didn't get new set of lungs or legs overnight! According to Tsereng, today's climb is only 10km long so we should be ok. Did he mention Karo La is a 5000 meter pass!
The first 15km was flat (just as Tsereng said), but as we pass Negartse, the wind starts to pick up...and it's a strong headwind! I guess the recovery ride is over, so we start taking turns pulling to save as much energy as possible for the climb to Karo La. The wind continues to hammer us and doesn't let up when we start our climb...back to slow and steady, and pray to the wind god. Sadly, our prayers went unheard...but the rain god heard us and didn't rain on us. At last, we see Karo La...and it's an "awe-inspiring" view! At the top, the wind is answering countless prayer flags, the mountain is holding back massive glaciers; and I am in awe and inspired by what man and nature can achieve. Unfortunately, Mat dropped his jacket somewhere on the climb and has to go back to find it, since he'll need it to go down the mountain. No luck. We rig Mat up with whatever clothes we have in our backpacks - my arm warmers for his arms, my rain pants and his rain pants wrapped around his chest to block the wind. We say good bye to Karo La and head down to the base where our guides are waiting for us. It's a fast switchback descent and at the final turn, the mountain suddenly becomes massive and can see giant crevasses on the glaciers...what an amazing view, just breathtaking. I have a feeling I'll be using "amazing", "awe-inspiring", massive", and other superlative words over and over again.
It's another "10km" ride...which is really 15 or 20km to campsite. The wind continues to be stubborn and just won't back down, but thankfully our final "10km" is mostly downhill. We're back down to 4400 meters and ride along a beautiful plain with sheep and yaks grazing along the river. Our campsite is few hundred meters from the river, where I got to soak my tired feet and have a "lite" wash in cold water (freezing cold but felt amazing!). Tomorrow's ride to Gyantse should should be an easy one...we'll see.
No comments:
Post a Comment