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By David Wright

31 March - 7 April: Jelup La to Phari

The team attended a special welcoming celebration before continuing their journey through the picturesque Gauza Gorge up onto the bleak Tibetan plateau.

On reaching the town of Phari the expedition traded their mule transport for yaks, hardy Himalayan animals well used to harsh conditions and heavy loads.

Black and white photo of a vast landscape with a snow-capped mountain peak and a lone figure on horseback in the foreground.

31 March - 7 April: Jelup La to Phari

Black and white photo of a vast landscape with a snow-capped mountain peak and a lone figure on horseback in the foreground.

The team attended a special welcoming celebration before continuing their journey through the picturesque Gauza Gorge up onto the bleak Tibetan plateau.

On reaching the town of Phari the expedition traded their mule transport for yaks, hardy Himalayan animals well used to harsh conditions and heavy loads.

Item 1 of 14
A greyscale photo with a green tint of a man who is grinning and looking towards the camera, whilst standing on a heap of rubble. The man is stood next to a long pole with what appears to be pieces of fabric tied around it, snow and mountains can be seen in the background.

Angtarke on the Jelup La pass into Tibet

Angtarke on the Jelup La pass into Tibet

A greyscale photo with a green tint of fragments of fabric which appears to have been tied on multiple sticks that are sticking out of a rubble of stones. In the background there is a snowy mountain peaks.

Prayer flags on the Jelup La

Prayer flags on the Jelup La

Black and white photo of a snowy landscape with a line of figures in the distance, tracks in the snow, and an overcast sky.

Coming down from Jelup La into Tibet

Coming down from Jelup La into Tibet

Two black and white photos of a mountainous landscape with people and pack animals on a trail, surrounded by dense forests and mist

Descent to Langrang

Descent to Langrang

Two black and white photos of a snowy mountainous landscape with coniferous trees and rocky terrain; one photo includes figures on a path.

The trail to Langrang

The trail to Langrang

Black and white photo of several individuals standing in front of an old building with a porch, surrounded by trees.

Khama Paul, Tashi, Howard Somervell, General Bruce, Geoff Bruce and John Hazard at the Langrang bungalow

Khama Paul, Tashi, Howard Somervell, General Bruce, Geoff Bruce and John Hazard at the Langrang bungalow

Black and white photo of individuals in a mountainous area with traditional buildings, engaged in various activities, surrounded by stone walls and trees.

Howard Somervell sketching at Ringchengang

Howard Somervell sketching at Ringchengang

Black and white photo of a village with traditional buildings, a stupa-like structure, and flag poles, set against a mountainous backdrop.

Stupas at Ringchengang

Stupas at Ringchengang

Black and white photo of a large white stupa with a conical spire, surrounded by trees and mountains, with a group of individuals sitting in front.

Stupa at Ringchengang

Stupa at Ringchengang

Black and white photo of several individuals and tents in an open field with trees in the background.

Welcoming event at Yatung

Welcoming event at Yatung

Two black and white photos of a group of people at an outdoor cultural event, with performers in costumes and rustic buildings in the background.

Tibetan performers at Yatung

Tibetan performers at Yatung

Two black and white photos of individuals in traditional attire at a cultural event; one person swings a bat-like object, and another strikes an object on a table.

Tibetan performers at Yatung

Tibetan performers at Yatung

Black and white photo of an individual wearing a mask and holding a staff, performing in front of an audience.

Masked performer at Yatung

Masked performer at Yatung

Black and white photo of individuals in traditional attire at a cultural gathering, with buildings and trees in the background.

Women at Yatung

Women at Yatung

Black and white photo of a person wearing a mask and long coat, standing outdoors with blurred figures and trees in the background
Black and white photo of a person wearing a mask and long coat, standing outdoors with blurred figures and trees in the background

Performer in mask and yak hair wig

Performer in mask and yak hair wig

...these spirits appear to be nearly always evil ones that have the power to work harm and therefore have constantly to be appeased to restrain them from mischief.

Yatung, 2 April 1924
Item 1 of 20
Two black and white photos of mountainous landscapes with rugged terrain and tall trees; one photo includes three individuals on a path.

Edward Norton and Geoff Bruce in the Gauza Gorge

Edward Norton and Geoff Bruce in the Gauza Gorge

Two black and white photos of rugged outdoor scenes; one shows individuals on horseback on a rocky trail, the other shows a similar terrain with sparse vegetation.

The trail through the Gauza Gorge

The trail through the Gauza Gorge

Black and white photo of a person walking on a rocky path in a mountainous area with partially snow-covered terrain.

Howard Somervell in the Gauza Gorge

Howard Somervell in the Gauza Gorge

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a prominent waterfall cascading between two rocky slopes, with additional snow-covered peaks in the background.

Frozen waterfall

Frozen waterfall

Black and white photo of a vast landscape with a snow-capped mountain peak and a lone figure on horseback in the foreground.

Howard Somervell

Howard Somervell

Black and white photo of a group of yaks and several individuals in an open, barren landscape.

Gyalgen Gazi talking to Yak herders

Gyalgen Gazi talking to Yak herders

Black and white photo of an outdoor scene with several tents, a low stone building with battlements, and mountain ranges in the background.

Camp at Phari

Camp at Phari

Black and white photo of a group of individuals in an outdoor setting, with one person addressing the others, and older buildings in the background.

Khama Paul supported by General Bruce, Edward Norton and John MacDonald negotiating a fair price for yaks

Khama Paul supported by General Bruce, Edward Norton and John MacDonald negotiating a fair price for yaks

Black and white photo of a group of people gathered in an open area with items on the ground, and a large fortified structure in the background

Yaks at Phari

Yaks at Phari

Black and white photo of a group of individuals in an outdoor camp with wooden and stone structures with crates.

Geoffrey Bruce organising the stores at Phari

Geoffrey Bruce organising the stores at Phari

Two black and white photos of individuals in a barren landscape; the top photo shows people engaged in an activity, and the bottom photo shows people near a tent, some on horseback.

Erecting the mess tent

Erecting the mess tent

Black and white photo of an old building with stone walls and wooden roof elements, surrounded by individuals in older style clothing, some on horseback.

Phari traders

Phari traders

A narrow street or alleyway with significant rubble. Damaged buildings line both sides, debris scattered across the ground. A lone individual walks along the path, carrying a load on their back.

Street at Phari

Street at Phari

A group of individuals in front of an ornate building gateway.

Phari gateway

Phari gateway

Three individuals stand in front of an old brick wall. The person on the left works with material, while the two seated individuals wear distinctive hats.

Phari residents

Phari residents

A group of adults and children standing outdoors performing with musical instruments.

Musicians at Phari

Musicians at Phari

A group of individuals in an outdoor setting with stone buildings showing damage. People wear heavy clothing.

Howard Somervell sketching at Phari

Howard Somervell sketching at Phari

Group of children at Phari

Group of children at Phari

Two children pose for the camera. The taller child on the left wears a hat. Both have long hair.

Children at Phari

Children at Phari

Portrait photograph of a smiling girl.

Girl at Phari

Girl at Phari

A black and white photograph of a large group of yaks in an open area, with buildings in the background that are part of a fort or walled city.
A black and white photograph of a large group of yaks in an open area, with buildings in the background that are part of a fort or walled city.

Yaks at Phari

Yaks at Phari

...no matter how good your present animals are you must change them for a new set at the next stage, for one Dzong Pen will not allow another’s animals to carry the expedition through his territory.

Phari, 5 April 1924

The next stage of the expedition took the group to the Base Camp of Mount Everest.

Continue the Journey

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