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Kangri Garpo, Eastern Tibet
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Throughout the year Colin and Betty collaborated with fellow Kiwi climber John Nankervis who
coordinated a climbing and trekking expedition to the Kangri Garpo range in eastern Tibet.
Although the area has been closed for many years, we were able to secure an exploration
permit that enabled our party of 7 to visit the 250 km long range. The access valley we
had permission for was last written about in English in 1930 by English plant collector,
Frank Kingdon Ward and we studied his books avidly before departure. Travelling across
country in the full flush of autumn was a superb introduction to the grandeur of the forested
gorge country our route traversed. We timed the trip to try to ensure clear, settled weather
and while the nights were cold, real winter was only just arriving at the time of our departure.
Kangri Garpo
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Pilgrims in Lhasa
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Over a period of 5 weeks we explored extensively, all the while in the midst of stunning mountain
vistas. This is the largest glacier system in Tibet and the scope for future trips is endless.
At this distance from Lhasa, the locals maintain a very traditional life style and we were
privileged to be there during the harvest season and to share end-of-harvest celebrations with
them.
By the time we returned to Lhasa the streets were thronging with traditionally attired pilgrims
from the outer regions of Tibet who were converging at the end of harvest to seek blessings
and pay homage to the holy sites in the capital.
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