A long and lone climb Photo

Photographer’s Note

In the backdrop of Bhilangna River, Khatling Glacier (its source) and the beautiful Thalay Sagar Peak(7000 mts - 23000 feet), we started our steep climb to Masar Tal from Chowki. Masar Tal was to be our final camp before negotiating Mayali Pass(18000 feet) the next day.

At an altitude of around 12000 feet, Chowki was a very cold place, the reason being its location at the base of snow clad Himalayan peaks and Khatling glacier. Our water bottles froze at night and all the utensils got stuck to each other. We could see water drops falling on our jackets freezing within a few seconds. Our rendezvous with a giant Himalayan black bear near Chowki in no way helped us in our efforts to make us comfortable at this place.

Mayali Pass is located on the ridge separating the Bhilangna (a tributary of Bhagirathi) valley in Tehri Garhwal and the Mandakini Valley in Kedarnath region. The pass commands an awesome views of Himalayas right from Gangotri n Bhagirathi group of peaks in the west to Kedardome & Chaukhamba and finally Nanda Devi n PanchChuli in the east.

rima, ramesh_lalwani, bombilla, sajith, HIRAKZ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rima (265) 2006-02-23 12:42

hey
Good Shot!!!
the cliffs look good...and the shadows of the peaks are really nice..but i feel color version would have looked even better..
personally i dont enjoy this part of trek ..when we leave green and the white is yet to come...guess i dont like brown

ramesh_lalwani (3209) 2006-02-24 2:32

very interesting note.Tou have been able to capture beauty of Himalaya.why have you posted B/W color would have looked better.TFS
ramesh

rich (1199) 2006-02-24 4:37

Great mountain shot with your choice of black and white increasing the drama of the scene. I particularly like the band of black in the centre and the way the small figure appears almost overwhelmed by it.

bombilla (3402) 2006-02-28 11:28

Quite dramatic. The small figure against the backdrop of the tremendous mountain is powerful. And the zone of shadow standing between the figure and the mountain offers a metaphor for the trial the climber will have to go through. This kind of photo is best seen very large -- maybe poster-size.

etiennejr (1014) 2006-03-06 2:30

I like B&W pictures, but not good at myself. TFS and hopefully I can learn a lot from this very interesting shot.
Thanks
Etienne

samrat_roy1 (683) 2006-04-25 8:22

excellent POV. i love the place a lot. you did a great shot by showing the loner in front of the mountains.....great job done.