Nyenchen Tanglha!

                    Nyenchen Tanglha Feng 7162 metres (23,497 feet) at dawn from Namtso Lake
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During April and May last year Lynne and I travelled overland for three weeks in Tibet. On Sunday 1st May 2016 we drove north from Lhasa on our way to Namtso Lake. From Yangpachen onwards we had spectacular views of the Nyenche Tanglha mountains. They stretch 1500 kilometres (over 900 miles) across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. For two days I was transfixed by this awesome snow-capped range of peaks which are at an average altitude of between 5000 and 6000 metres (16,500 - 20,000 feet). The Nyenchen Tanglha are now one of my favourite mountain ranges! Indeed it has inspired me to write a poem about it. You can find my poem, 'Nyenchen Tanglha', in 'Poetry' on my website.
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                                      David amongst 'wind-horse' prayer flags with three summits
                              of Nyenchen Tanglha Feng 7162 metres (23,497 feet) in background
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Soon after leaving Yangpachen we stopped at an amazing sacred location covered in massive clumps of 'wind-horse' prayer flags. Following the cold winter months this area was dry and brown but in a couple of months it would turn green following early summer rains. Beyond the 'wind-horses' we had incredible views of Nyenchen Tanglha Feng, the highest mountain of this spectacular range. It is one of the holiest mountains in Tibet. The brightly coloured prayer flags were snapping in the icy wind.
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                      Glaciated summit of Nyenchen Tanglha Feng 7162 metres (23,497 feet)
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Nyenchen Tanglha Feng is one of the most holy mountains in Tibet. In the Tibetan language 'Nyenchen' means 'big god' and 'Tanglha' means 'mountain on the highland'. The name itself shows the reverence the Tibetans hold for this mountain. The mountain is the subject of many fairy tales and folklore. It was first climbed in 1986 by a Japanese expedition.
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          Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains seen from Namtso Lake 4718 metres (15,479 feet)
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Travelling from Damshung we crossed over the Largen La Pass at 5190 metres (17,027 feet). We got out of our vehicle to brave the fierce biting wind on the pass. From here we had our first view of the spectacular Namsto Lake in the distance. The part of the lake visible at this point was still frozen! The drive down from the pass across open grassland dotted with herds of yaks and local nomads was truly amazing. We eventually reached the peninsula of 'Tashi Dorje' on the shore of Namtso Lake. It was here we were to spend the night in very basic accommodation.
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               Lynne on the shore of Namtso Lake with Nyechen Tanglha Feng in the far distance.
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Namtso in Tibetan means 'Heavenly Lake'. Namtso is the highest saltwater lake in the world. It is often described as being next to heaven because of its high altitude, stunning landscape, pure turquoise-blue water and its spiritual associations. We were lucky to see both sunset and sunrise over the lake and the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains. Truly breathtaking!
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                    Yak on the shore of Namtso Lake with the Nyenchen Tanglha in the background
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I hope you can see why I like the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains. Another reason they hold a special meaning for me is the fact that my hero Heinrich Harrer crossed over the Nyechen Tanglha on his way south to Lhasa during the Second World War. He eventually ended up being the personal tutor to the young Dalai Lama. Heinrich wrote an amazing book called 'Seven Years in Tibet' which describes his adventures in Tibet. It was even made into a movie starring Brad Pitt! We were so lucky to meet Heinrich Harrer for afternoon tea in Darjeeling in 1994 but thats another story! You can find a scrapbook page about our meeting with Heinrich Harrer in 'Scrapbooking' on my website. But now back to the Nyenchen Tanglha . . . . 
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             'Wind horse' prayer flags in respect to the holy mountain of Nyenchen Tanglha Feng
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So as we leave the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains and my blog comes to an end I though it a good point to mention my wife Lynne and her on-going battle with cancer. I first mentioned it in a blog in January. It is hard to believe we were exploring the wonders of Tibet last May and here we are a few months later on a very different journey. We are currently in the process of getting an electric wheelchair and vehicle with hoist to take it. We know this is going to take a few weeks but we hope eventually, health permitting, we can go a little further afield and maybe even away for a couple of days. That in itself would be an adventure equal to our overland exploration of Tibet. As I mentioned in January my time to blog is very much reduced at the moment but I aim to share one of our new adventures with you!

Thank you for visiting 'Beyond the Sacred Mountains'.

Please find my poem 'Nyenchen Tanglha' in 'Poetry' on my website.

​I would love to hear from you! Please get in touch either by the secure email facility on my 'Contact' page or by commenting on my blog.

Regards
​David

                                                       Sunset at Namtso Lake      Tibet