Deep in the high Himalaya, ancient legends say, a sacred mountain stands at the navel of the earth and the axis of the universe. Its name is Kailas (“the Crystal”) or Kang Rimpoche (“Jewel of the Snows”), and from it flow the waters that form the four great rivers of Asia: the Indus, the Ganges, the Sutlej, and the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra).
Holy Mount Kailas (22,028') has long been a pilgrimage goal for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Tibetan Bonpos. Its spiritual importance owes as much to its extraordinary location—isolated on one of the highest points in the Tibetan Plateau—as to the wild beauty of its stunning north face, a sheer 5,000-foot rock pyramid streaked with snow. On this adventurous new WT Expedition with veteran Himalayan Trip Leader Gary McCue, we make our own sacred pilgrimage to Kailas, beginning with a fantastic 8-day trek with our Sherpa guides through the remote Humla Valley in Nepal's westernmost Himalayas. Reaching the Nepal-Tibet border, we head into Tibet and hike the classic three-day kora (pilgrimage circuit) around the mountain. En route around Kailas, we cross an 18,500-foot pass and share the trail with devout Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, some of whom have walked for months—and sometimes years—to reach this revered peak. Each distinct face of this mountain has its own mythology, and the Kailas circuit is believed to be a symbolic journey, allowing devotees to leave their past karma behind and be reborn as they cross the high pass to emerge from Kailas’ western valley into its eastern valley.
Our trek is timed to witness the Saga Dawa Festival at Darchen, at the end of our Kailas trek, as throngs of Tibetan pilgrims make their offerings to Kailas on the most important date of their sacred calendar. We then depart the sacred mountain for a six-day overland journey that takes us across the magnificent Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa, Tibet’s Holy City, with its extraordinary temples, monasteries, and the stunning Potala Palace. This is an incredible experience of Tibet and its culture with an expert Trip Leader!
CASIO PATHFINDER BAROMETER: Reading the barometric pressure every two hours, the Pathfinder watch will help you stay ahead of any unpredicted weather change. The Pathfinder displays the barometric pressure over the past 26 hours, showing the pattern graphically.
At the Nepal-Tibet border: Don’t get caught outside in a remote area when the weather makes a turn for the worse. Use the Pathfinder’s barometer as you hike the classic three-day kora (pilgrimage circuit) around the mountain.
OUTFITTER: Wilderness Travel; www.wildernesstravel.com
PRICE: $5,000
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
WHEN TO GO: May 30 – June 27, 2011 with Gary McCue
Use the Pathfinder’s altimeter to help gauge the time you’ll need to reach the summit! The altimeter checks and displays the altitude every two minutes, and stores readings with the temperature every 15 minutes. The graphing function positions you with respect to your target altitude, while alarm alerts you as you approach your mark. You can record up to 40 sets of data with each record displaying the altitude, month, date and time. The measuring range is from -700 to 10,000 meters (-2,300 to 32,800 ft.).
Predict changing weather patterns using the Pathfinder’s barometer. It takes readings every two hours and stores them automatically. It graphically displays the barometric pressure for the past 26 hours. The display ranges from 260 to 1,100 hPa/mb (7.65 to 32.45 inHg) with changeovers from hPa to inHg.
For peace of mind, just point the Pathfinder to a 12 o’clock position, push the button and you can take readings in one of 16 directions. North, South, East and West are indicated simultaneously. You can even record up to five compass readings including the date and time.
Get split second accuracy with the Pathfinder’s atomic timekeeping. Each day the watch receives a radio signal from the atomic transmitter in Fort Collins, Colorado. That signal resets the watch to the split second. It also automatically adjusts to Daylight Savings Time and Leap Year changes.
