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Shishapangma 03 series
The team
Kathmandu to BC
Yaks to ABC and puja
Advance Base Camp
C1-C2-C3
The summit!
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Shishapangma Expedition 2003
Yaks to ABC and our puja

After good acclimatization at base camp we headed up to ABC at ~5700m. The gear was carried up by yaks.
It takes a lot of yaks to carry 1600kgs of gear.

 

Weighing the loads early in the morning but they didn't leave BC until sometime after 10am.

The yaks arrive at BC

Our yak drivers were a tough lot and did the job. We fed them and they slept in the dining tent, but ate dinner outside - below.
This was taken at the end of the expedition. Yep, we left in snow.

The puja

The puja is a ceremony to show respect for the mountain and the gods/spirits inside it and ask for safe passage.
We also bless the tools that may hurt it, our ice axes and crampons.
Previously Dawa trained as a lama. It was a moving experience.

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Shishapangma 03 series
The team
Kathmandu to BC
Yaks to ABC and puja
Advance Base Camp
C1-C2-C3
The summit!

Topke hands out a pile of blessed goodies.

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