TRIP REPORT - Western Tibet: July 31 - Sept. 2, 2005

In August 2005 our expedition team journeyed to Western Tibet to document and explore the area around Mt. Kailash and become the first group to paddle 70-plus miles of the remote and wild Indus River headwaters.

During the five weeks of adventure we documented, and recorded the episode as we slipped into an intoxicating state of travel.  Our senses were overwhelmed with a magical brew of history, religion, culture and geography.  So much so that it was hard to differentiate between mental elation and physical reaction.   

Our goals of circumambulating Mt. Kailash and running the first descent of the headwaters of the Indus were accomplished but like all good things without a guaranteed outcome, we were forced to change our plans, and adapt our itinerary with each new challenge.  Days were longer than planned, hiring yaks became an episode of extortion, and the reality of our situation was sometimes not at all ideal.   All that said, our path afforded us a look through a magical lens so to speak.  A look at a people and land that are being blown into the 21^st century like the great Himalayan winds that have blown across this desert landscape for thousands of years.

The upcoming documentary presentation “Out of the Lion’s Mouth” will melt the images and sounds that were captured into a sensory experience that will educate and entertain. 

-   - Jared Cruce, documentary photojournalist

Expedition Overview

[The Adventure]
Our journey commenced from Lhasa, the capital and spiritual fulcrum of Tibet’s rich religious and political history. From here we set out by four wheel drive traveling five days over harsh, tortured and soggy landscapes to the sacred Mt. Kailash, Asia’s holiest mountain. The 750 miles we covered each way took its toll on both body and vehicle. Disembarking completely from the motorized world near the mountain, we circumambulated the 33 rugged miles around the 22,027 foot peak, reaching the Drolma La pass at 18,600 ft on the second day. Along this sacred mountain path we came upon dozens of Tibetan Bons, Buddhists, and many Indian Hindis, all circling the holy mountain in sacred pilgrimage.

Following the Kora of Kailash and escorted by a team of Yaks our team traveled four days to the Indus headwaters to our river put-in at 16,000 feet. We paddled the Senge He river 4.5 days becoming the first to run headwaters of the Indus River. Our adventure continued as we traveled east back towards Lhasa on the northern "Himalayan Express Highway" and paddled a two day section of the Raka Tsangpo, the second largest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo.

[The Story]
During the exploration many amazing images and sounds were recorded of this remote and beautiful plateau. Combining these savory stimuli with a wonderful story, we will share with you a multi-media presentation and lecture shown in the United States. Looking to expand on this thrilling adventure we will discuss expedition travel, eco-tourism in Tibet and how it relates to the current social, economic and environmental situation in this remote and lesser known area of Western Tibet.

[Non-Profit Affiliations]

The Rowell Fund for Tibet
The Explorers Club: Jared Cruce was inducted into The Explorers Club as of March 1, 2005. The Explorers Club is a 100 year old group of the worlds leading explorers and scientific adventurers.

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