It Ain't Heavy - at 17500 Feet at Chang La in Ladakh
To find a photograph to showcase the life (it is ok to say human interest, I guess ) at Chang La in Ladakh is kind of difficult. Most passengers enroute to Pangong Tso halt briefly at the top of the pass and pose in front of the bright markers showcasing the height of the pass and the fact that it is the world's 2nd highest motorable one at that.
A pity I missed being the subject of that horrendous "I have been there" photograph.
We are digressing. On the way back to Leh from the deeply serene and cold Pangong Tso lake, one must climb up the northern face of the mountain chain to reach the Chang La.
On the top there is that obligatory military temple, the road and height markers and tinned hutted rooms in green with the ever efficient Army people manning them to offer tea and medical aid to anyone who stops there. I was fortunate, I stopped over and was amazed to be offered cashews, almonds and biscuits with piping hot tea. I wonder if all passengers get that dry fruity treatment at Chang La. I guess not.
While there, I espied this tall gentleman bent almost double under the weight of the full gunny sack on his back. While he walked briskly in the rarifed air with that load, I was having trouble putting four steps in one straight line without faltering.
I attracted his attention and made him stop in his progress and this was shot as he looked up in my direction to find out which lunatic was shouting at him and why. Then the thick scarf / muffler came off the face with the left hand and the biggest beaming bountiful smile passed his visage.
You wonder how he can smile with that big one while you yourself can barely manage to work your face muscles into a scowl. One wonders how is it possible to carry such a huge load at that altitude. Ponder not too much on that mystery of superhuman feat, just enjoy. The answer to that my brother is ... It aint Heavy, it is just snow and ice.
The gentleman owns 3 donkeys and they are used daily for collecting fresh snow and ice from the mountainside and brought to this military detatchment for water supply. The donkeys for working their ass off at 17500 feet get paid Rs 13k per month/per donkey and the owner also gets paid the same amount but he is no ass. He surely is laughing all the way to the bank.
( That said, the sack full of snow and ice is not light at all. It would be beyond me to lift it off the ground, forget about merrily whistling and striding away at 17500 feet)
Dates
Taken on November 16, 2010 at 11.18am IST (edit)
Posted to Flickr November 17, 2011 at 9.18PM IST (edit)
Exif data
Camera Nikon D300
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/9.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias -1 EV
Flash No Flash
_DSC7744 nef sm port sh 125 pxl tfm
It Ain't Heavy - at 17500 Feet at Chang La in Ladakh
To find a photograph to showcase the life (it is ok to say human interest, I guess ) at Chang La in Ladakh is kind of difficult. Most passengers enroute to Pangong Tso halt briefly at the top of the pass and pose in front of the bright markers showcasing the height of the pass and the fact that it is the world's 2nd highest motorable one at that.
A pity I missed being the subject of that horrendous "I have been there" photograph.
We are digressing. On the way back to Leh from the deeply serene and cold Pangong Tso lake, one must climb up the northern face of the mountain chain to reach the Chang La.
On the top there is that obligatory military temple, the road and height markers and tinned hutted rooms in green with the ever efficient Army people manning them to offer tea and medical aid to anyone who stops there. I was fortunate, I stopped over and was amazed to be offered cashews, almonds and biscuits with piping hot tea. I wonder if all passengers get that dry fruity treatment at Chang La. I guess not.
While there, I espied this tall gentleman bent almost double under the weight of the full gunny sack on his back. While he walked briskly in the rarifed air with that load, I was having trouble putting four steps in one straight line without faltering.
I attracted his attention and made him stop in his progress and this was shot as he looked up in my direction to find out which lunatic was shouting at him and why. Then the thick scarf / muffler came off the face with the left hand and the biggest beaming bountiful smile passed his visage.
You wonder how he can smile with that big one while you yourself can barely manage to work your face muscles into a scowl. One wonders how is it possible to carry such a huge load at that altitude. Ponder not too much on that mystery of superhuman feat, just enjoy. The answer to that my brother is ... It aint Heavy, it is just snow and ice.
The gentleman owns 3 donkeys and they are used daily for collecting fresh snow and ice from the mountainside and brought to this military detatchment for water supply. The donkeys for working their ass off at 17500 feet get paid Rs 13k per month/per donkey and the owner also gets paid the same amount but he is no ass. He surely is laughing all the way to the bank.
( That said, the sack full of snow and ice is not light at all. It would be beyond me to lift it off the ground, forget about merrily whistling and striding away at 17500 feet)
Dates
Taken on November 16, 2010 at 11.18am IST (edit)
Posted to Flickr November 17, 2011 at 9.18PM IST (edit)
Exif data
Camera Nikon D300
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/9.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias -1 EV
Flash No Flash
_DSC7744 nef sm port sh 125 pxl tfm