pier door

sans San

running to the top

sunset run

We finally made it over the pass into camp, and the heavy downpour didn't let up until the morning. We awoke to the sunbeams spilling over the snow capped #mountains and the glacial stream glowing. Behind, frost vaporized off of the rhododendron and we knew that we had made it through the most challenging part of the #journey. The Jigme Kheser Valley was truly a Shangri La, protected by the challenging terrain around it, it will hopefully stay as pristine as it has this far. Our guide sang a song to the land around us, which translated to "blessed are you mountains that have been here since time eternal, may you share you grace with us for the rest of our passage". #himalayas #druktrek #bhutan #picoftheday

The higher in altitude we hiked the less there was a difference between solid ground and the runoff from the melting glaciers above us. The dense fog and clouds also made it difficult to find the trail at several points. Day 4 of the #druktrek was by far the most difficult as the rain didn't let up even for a moment. The waterproof gear was only so effective and all of us were pretty chilled to the bone. Despite that, when one could manage to wipe the mist from the lens the landscape became more and more magical. #druktrek #bhutan #himalayas #questforhappiness

By day 3 of the #druktrek we were high in the clouds at 12000 feet and the rain had set in. The #horses sought shelter at the edge of the woods to stay dry as best they could. #bhutan #himalayas #questforhappiness

And for my next trick, fish-fragrant pork strip with bamboo shoots. @bonappetitmag

Evening visitor on the terrace