ABC puja

We hold our puja to show respect for the mountain

18 Sept: ABC puja

Dawa and Da'Yula are trained lamas and officiated in a moving ceremony.

For me, Jamie, it is a time for reflection. Nothing we do will change conditions on the mountain so we just have to roll with the weather; we should use judgment more than luck or hope. It is also a time to consider conditions on the mountain; the snow is calf- to knee-deep and for the last few days little new snow has fallen, instead the sun has shone and heat-holding clouds have settled over, and so we hope the snow is consolidating, bonding, reducing the avalanche danger.

We hold our own puja, we also climb at our own pace. So far no expeditions have fixed any rope on the mountain, strange given that there are crevasses visible on the route, and some sections are known for hidden crevasses.

The last part was having a drink together...

Scott, Chris, Da'Yula, Dawa, Ed K, Tarke (from the Italian team), Nima (hidden),
Tawa and a Tibetan yak driver - Mike Teger

Mike loves Pabst Blue Ribbon; Dawa and Da'Yula in front
On one shoulder and the face is tsampa (barley flour), part of the ceremony
- Scott S