Trans Himachal 2018 – 09 Tangze – Phirtse La (5560) – Sarchu – Keylong

Phirtse La

The highest pass crossed in the entire Trans Himachal 2018 journey, the Phirtse La at 550m connecting Dangze in Zanskar with Sarchu in Lahaul

Beneath the Stars

Never lose your sense of wonder.

Dreaming below the milky way at the base of the Phirtse La (5500m), Zanskar.

39397720_10215487535044187_5237006060992069632_o (1)
44313046_10215925082862609_2686441617753112576_o (1)

Hospitality

Out of food and long way to go from Tangze, Zanskar across the Phirtse Lapass (5560m) to Sarchu we bumped into this shepherd from Barmour who welcomed us to stay and eat in his open shelter surrounded by 600 sheep beneath a billion star night sky. The night at 4000+ m was cold, the experience etched in memory forever.

Mheeeee

Hai there! Wassup? Curious little mountain goat checking us out from top of our shelter while camping at the base of Phirtse La pass (5560m).

44805174_10215989184465109_2116252376695308288_o

Stream Crossings

As the summer sun rises high and more meltwater flows down from the glaciers, the streams become dangerous obstacles for the high altitude hiker. Here we cross the stream below the Phirtse La (5500m) in Zanskar, Ladakh

Horse men

Horses carrying shelter and food descending in front of the glacier beneath the Phirtse La (5560m) pass from Sarchu, Lahaul to Dangze, Zanskar

IMG_20180802_114212
IMG_20180803_094348

Lingti River

Panoramic view on the Lingti river valley as it flows from Zanskar Ladakh to join the Yanum river near Sarchu

Getting across

Bridge crossing the Yunam river near Sarchu as hikers exit the Lingthi valley

IMG_20180803_132654
45576440_10216075080412454_1760935517618176000_o

Magnitude

Travel makes one humble. You realise what a tiny place you occupy in the world. Gustav Flobert