Shika Snow Mountain
The mountain’s highest peak is 14,598 feet (4,449.5 meters) above the sea level, named for the red dear the range represents, it is regarded a s holy mountain for the local Tibetans. Geologically ,the mountains is known for having diverse microclimates along its range. From the grasslands we visited earlier through wooded hills, plateaus harboring ranches, and the snow-capped peak are just a few.
After a tiring morning on horseback, we still had enough energy to head up the mountain. It does have two gigantic cable cars that get visitors a considerable ways up. Despite the boost, we found that a combination of our early start that day and the very low oxygen, made the trek quite an effort regardless.
It doesn’t quite get you to the top.
Part of the initial ascent (speed up 2x)
I caught a glimpse of a handful of these ranches on the way up the mountain.
At the end of the first cable car is a large clearing with several family-run yak ranches.
Further up the mountain
The cable car only gets us so high. The view is amazing, but there’s a ways to go. We didn’t buy oxygen tanks. Jing is struggling a bit. I’m alright. Deep breaths and small slow bursts of climbing steps, rest, keep going. There are empty oxygen tanks scattered about.
Eventually we make it to the top, exhausted, but fine. The view is 360 degrees with the valley to the northeast and the rest of the Himalayas to the west and south. We can’t even see the cable car from up here.
The GPS app says the elevation here is 14,498 ft
A wood platform on the top houses a series of Tibetan shrines, mani piles, and incense stoves. Everything is covered in white silk to symbolize the snow cover. These will be changed to colored flags in warmer weather.
These stoves burn incense (often just pine branches).
This mountain towers over the valley. The mountains off in the distance to the west tower over this one.
Incense stove with Himalayas in the background.
Looking past mani piles towards the sacred ridge. There’s a shrine up there. Only monks are allowed up there.
Looking west of the mountain.
Bottom center, you can see a yak ranch. That dirt road over the ridge is the only way in.
Off in the distance that huge mountain made where I was standing seem pretty low to the ground.
Write a Reply or Comment