Journeys to the Upper Valleys

Each summer we’ve spent in Tar requires journeys up the valleys. To feed the goats, sheep, cows, and dzo. To gather wood and medicine. We follow the water. Only occasionally do we reach the steep ridges and peaks.

We went up Snyalochan to gather honeysuckle.
We went up Snyalochan to gather honeysuckle.
A lunch with tea on the way.
A lunch with tea on the way.
Waterfall at the entrance to even higher slopes
Waterfall at the entrance to even higher slopes
Returning, we've lost the view of low places, and gained the distant view of other heights.
Returning, we've lost the view of low places, and gained the distant view of other heights.
Bundles of wands are our prize. Meme Angchuk, one of the grandfathers, will instruct us on basketmaking.
Bundles of wands are our prize. Meme Angchuk, one of the grandfathers, will instruct us on basketmaking.
We will soak the wands for two days before we weave with them.
We will soak the wands for two days before we weave with them.
Returning in nyima nirtse, the evening light.
Returning in nyima nirtse, the evening light.
A solo journey with ten sheep to the valley just above and south of Tar.
A solo journey with ten sheep to the valley just above and south of Tar.
Skyin (Ibex) skeleton, with Tar's entrance gorge below.
Skyin (Ibex) skeleton, with Tar's entrance gorge below.
Looking down toward Sengye Tsangspo (Indus River)
Looking down toward Sengye Tsangspo (Indus River)
Together with Israeli guests we climbed with ten sheep to Snyalochan (one of the upper valleys).
Together with Israeli guests we climbed with ten sheep to Snyalochan (one of the upper valleys).
The spring and summer growth of the high pastures is drying orange and red on the high slopes.
The spring and summer growth of the high pastures is drying orange and red on the high slopes.
Jason follows the sheep up higher, while guests eat lunch under the one big shady willow tree.
Jason follows the sheep up higher, while guests eat lunch under the one big shady willow tree.
Training for a run, I walked several times up and ran down this valley where the dzo and some cows lived without any humans to tend them this summer.
Training for a run, I walked several times up and ran down this valley where the dzo and some cows lived without any humans to tend them this summer.
The valleys go higher and higher at each turn. There are different seasons up there.
The valleys go higher and higher at each turn. There are different seasons up there.
An old dzo, one of several that we've known and worked with since we first came eight years ago.
An old dzo, one of several that we've known and worked with since we first came eight years ago.
Kachutse, a high-growing flower sometimes gathered and used for tea.
Kachutse, a high-growing flower sometimes gathered and used for tea.
There were rains this summer while we were gone. And good snow last winter. This is far greener than I've seen these valleys before.
There were rains this summer while we were gone. And good snow last winter. This is far greener than I've seen these valleys before.
We wonder if this is what the songs call "ser-chen" mentok.
We wonder if this is what the songs call "ser-chen" mentok.
Around that first corner is an old summer settlement. There is an old yura, two small broken down houses, and many thin terrace fields, for barley and summer vegetables no doubt.
Around that first corner is an old summer settlement. There is an old yura, two small broken down houses, and many thin terrace fields, for barley and summer vegetables no doubt.
These flowers don't grow down lower.
These flowers don't grow down lower.
Those two peaks tower above the village of Tar. The gray mountains beyond are the Ladakh range, across the Indus from Tar.
Those two peaks tower above the village of Tar. The gray mountains beyond are the Ladakh range, across the Indus from Tar.
This flower grows with a big taproot and makes a cushion of spikes and flowers. They help hold the mountainside in place.
This flower grows with a big taproot and makes a cushion of spikes and flowers. They help hold the mountainside in place.
Heading back down, this forest is the start of the gong ma. Our house is just minutes away.
Heading back down, this forest is the start of the gong ma. Our house is just minutes away.

4 thoughts on “Journeys to the Upper Valleys”

  3. Nancy B Chandler

    I am amazed that you could climb so high on those mountains to get one of these photos. It’s so great to see these valley just beyond where you live!

    Reply

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