A 1000 kilometer journey of ascension to the soaring heights of
Tibetan Altitude
Beginning at a humble 500 meter elevation above sea level at the modern capital city of the Sichuan province, Chengdu, and pressing ever upward into the wild Himalayan mountains of south western Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province. Passing by the highest airport in the world in Daocheng county. Finally hiking to Milk Lake in the Yading Daocheng Nature Reserve gasping for air at 4480m (14,700 feet).
The Nature Reserve covers an area of 1344 square kilometers (520 square miles) with an average elevation of well over 4000 meters. It is home to the 3 holy mountains of Chenresig (Compassion), rising to 6032 meters (19,790 feet), Chana Dorje (Power) and Jampelyang (Wisdom), which both stand at 5958 meters (19,547 feet). The 3 snow-capped peaks sit in a triangle formation with forested valleys, clear rivers, glacier-fed lakes and abundant wildlife between them.
Our photo journey begins in Kangding County at 3266m (10,715 feet) and continues to climb from here...
One of the most historically famous bridges in Luding County opened in 1701 and was an important crossing point between Sichuan and Tibet
A map discovered along the way revealing the vertically challenged route
A lonely rural town all to itself as far as the eye can see in any direction
Hundreds of square kilometers of uninhabited rocky barren land
With life suddenly reappearing when dropping down a thousand meters between mountain tops
Just a few kilometers into the Yading Nature Preserve and already at 4150 meters (13,615 feet)
Robust horses thriving at more than 4000 meters
A view from the hostel window inside the Yading Nature Reserve while resting between hikes
A Buddhist temple nestled in the forest camouflaged with autumn color
Luorong Grasslands at 4180 meters (13,700 feet). With the mountain in front towering at 5958 meters (19,500 feet)
Finally reaching the highest point of this journey, Milk Lake sits at an elevation of 4480 meters (14,698 feet)
Catching golden hour on descent.
A glorious last look at the Yading Nature Reserve. Who would have thought that within an hour after this shot was taken, the sky turned dark, thunder crackled and roared through the atmosphere, and a massive hail storm had us stranded on the mountain...
