bootes the herdsman

feb 16th

back in paro

my legs are rubber.  just got back from our 2 day trek.  Spectacular.  Yesterday gained over 3,000 feet in elevation.  slept in an alpine meadow at 11,500 feet.  Had paneer curry, cucumber salad, rice, broccoli with ginger, and finished up with killer bread pudding done on the camp stove with a special bhutanese bain marie maneuver.  Although the hike up was in shirtsleeves, it started snowing around dinner and the wind howled all night.  Forced myself out of the tent to take a leak at 2am and Bootes the Herdsman appeared to me as never before.  His pipe included.  Communed with some yaks this morning before starting on our descent.  We were followed by an auspicious snowstorm which peaked as we arrived at the tiger's nest monastery.  750 steps up and down (2x).  Sometime in the 8th century Lotus Born Buddha rode a flying tiger (his tibetan consort) from Bumthang in the east to these cliffs above paro to subdue some troublesome demons.  Massive waterfall.   Ben and Clare were super troopers.  After 6 months it is funny that they still think that we are going to screw something up royally.  They constantly double check departure times, hotel reservations (or lack thereof), and demand constant updates on itineraries that don't even exist yet.

basket of firewood by the turning wheel on the way down from the Tiger's Nest

first day, ben and Chhimi take a break

ben at lunch on the way up

afternoon, ben on horseback

chhimi's grandmother's house at the start of our trek. it is now the home of an  incarnation of a  buddha

chhimi's father, chhimi and jimmy at lunch 

chortens and prayer flags on the way down to the tiger's nest

the alpine meadow where we camped with chortens, prayer flags, mules and horseman

clare having a buck brannaman moment

clare on her trusty steed on the way up

one of many spectacular places to meditate if you are a monk (who makes a long commitment!) 

family on the way to the tiger's nest

perfect spot for a hot stone bath- it has a great view over the paro valley

lead pony gets to wear a special bridle decoration

another pony looking for his friends on the trail

meditation houses above the meadow where we slept

finally, a good picture of memorial flags!

the mess tent glowing at night

the fire the next morning, snowing lightly, mountains beyond already white  

prayer flags and waterfall next to tiger's nest

the wind blew most of the snow away the night we were there. the next day while we walked down, they got a foot of fresh powder!

snowy trees 

chhimi and clare walking in the falling snow

tiger's nest, 750 steps up and down to get there. do it all again when you leave.

walk to guru's glory

waterfall and snow next to the tiger's nest

we are in crisis...

relaxing in the meadow at 11.5, first day

our friends the yaks