The Himalayas
The Himalayas hold a very special place in my life. My visits there allowed me into that wish-dream state which borders on the spiritual and can never be forgotten. In these mountains, a walk is a pilgrimage and to breathe is to feel change in oneself.
Big and pure in my mind remains always the beauty of Machapucare, Amadablam, the Annapurnas and all the other gods in this magnificent range.
Between December 1994 and January 1995 I spent a month in the Annapurna area close to Pokhara. I walked around the Annapurna trail, passing over extreme amounts of ice on Cholung La. The views in that area around Muktinath and Manang are clear and on a cold day you can feel Milarepa whisper forgotten words into your frozen ears.
I also trekked into the Annapurna Sanctuary and spent New Year at the Annapurna basecamp.
In October 1997 my father and I made a wonderful trip to walk for 30 days from Jiri through Sherpa lands to Everest basecamp and back. My father is the most wonderful companion for such a trip. We have memories that are in and out of my mind every day. I remember a night in an old apple house in Ringmo and long walks through snow and wind and bright ice. I remember conversations on humanity and divinity, thoughts and words, revelations and unsurpassable beauty.
Here is a picture taken above Gorak Shep of my father, Gert, in front of mount Everest.
Here is a panoramic view of the Himalayas as seen from above Gokyo.
Everest Base Camp, all iced over.
Both of us on top of Chukung Ri.