It’ll Stunt Your Growth. Today we had some memorable experiences with a bunch of kids. The image of 6-year-old children smoking is something I will not soon forget, but more about that in a second. The day started off with an hour or so in front of Tashilunpo Monastery so Scott and I could get […]

Ben Clark’s Spring 2008 Expedition. Ben and his climbing partners Josh Butson and Tin Clarke are heading back to Nepal for a new expedition. This year they are going to climb a 24,688′ peak called Annapurna IV and once they summit they are going to try to accomplish the first ski descent. Jon Miller Total […]

Smile And Say (Yak) Cheese! We’re steadily making our way towards Everest and are now in the city of Shigatse. This is the 2nd largest city in Tibet and home to the 5th largest monastery, Tashilunpo. You’d think that Scott and I would be getting used to seeing monasteries, but you’d be wrong. Although they […]

Instant Karma’s Going To Get You. Today we visited the Kumbum, the largest chorten, or stupa in Tibet. This place was a feast for the eyes, and I WAS able to photograph everything I wanted! Right next door to the Kumbum was a temple where the monks at this monastery prayed. We climbed to the […]

No Demons Here. We made it into Gyangtse today after some incredible scenery along the way. This is Tibet’s 4th largest city and the view is dominated by a fortress on a hill. Spectacular. We were all getting pretty hungry so Lobsang took us to get some Tibetan Noodles. I had never had any before […]

Movin’ On Up. We spent our last few hours in Lhasa this morning. Of course, Scott and I had to make a few more Koras around the Jokhang before setting out onto the Friendship Highway. Lobsang was very pleased with us. He told Scott that all of those Koras will make Scott a “very righteous […]

Homesick and Altitude Sick in Lhasa. Today was a day of contrasts for me. On one hand I was amazed and enthralled by the Potala Palace. On the other hand, I was sad beyond words. We began the day by visiting the Palace. We actually walked there from our hotel and it was good to […]

Violence in Lhasa And Everest Closures. As many of you know, Tibet has been in the news of late with violence in the capital city of Lhasa. There’s also been news that China has closed the North side of Everest to foreign climbing teams until the 10th of May, 2008. I’ve invited friend and Everest […]

Yak. It’s What’s For Dinner. After visiting the amazing Jokhang Temple, Lobsang took us to a nice restaurant to have dinner. After perusing the menu all three of us decided to go for the Yak. With Tibetan pop music playing over the ceiling speakers in the New Mandela restaurant we ate our first Tibetan meal. […]

I Can’t Believe That IT IS Butter! This afternoon we left the hotel room and ventured across the street to the Jokhang Temple. This is the most sacred temple in all of Tibet and dates back to the 7th or 8th century. It’s extremely ornate and filled with religious pilgrims eager to show their devout […]