Across Ladakh and Zanskar
(July-September 2013):
3. Wanla to Kanji
Entry into the
spectacular canyon of the Shillakong river.
Along the Shillakong canyon. This narrow canyon is about 12km long.
The side walls are 2 to 4 hundred meters high. Hiking between the two ends of
the canyon requires fording the Shillakong river several dozen times. The river originates in a large
glacier (the Chomotang glacier) visible on the map
above. Fording is easy in the morning, but becomes increasingly difficult in
the afternoon.
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Highly
textured rock wall in the canyon.
Our camp on a
small platform above the river mid-way along the canyon, with Dorjee Tundup (my team′s
horseman) repairing wood horse saddles.
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The Shillakong river in the afternoon
when we arrived at the camp, and in the morning when we left it.
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More rock
walls above our camp.
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At the end of
the canyon starting the ascent of Yogmi La (pass #7).
View from Yogmi La (4720m) toward Kanji (north-west).
View of Yogmi La from the small settlement of Dumbur.
Our camp at Dumbur.
Re-shoeing one
of our horses along the way.
Kanji village.
Other trek sections: