Tag Archive for: Shala

Hiking into Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today, the team explored the Punggen Valley by visiting an ancient monastery and gompa – all in while continuing their acclimatization efforts up to 13,300 feet! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 5th.

Today we started the day with a blessing at the old gompa here in Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft), then we went for an acclimatization hike up the Punggen Valley down towards Shala. It was a beautiful hike – we went up to about 13,300 feet! At the top of the valley is an ancient monastery where we lit a few butter lamps before returning to Samagaun.

So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch with an update tomorrow!

Hiking up the Punggen Valley. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Hiking up the Punggen Valley. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Buddhist mantras along the trail to Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Buddhist mantras along the trail to Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The gompa in Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The gompa in Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester


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