Walking On Thin Photo

Photographer’s Note

Today, she slowly picks herself up the 6KM Summit Trail, with over 20kg worth of cans of chicken soup. Her "sumpit" or the funnel like rattan backpack, is depressingly extorting her backbone for the last two hours.She has another 45 minutes before setting foot at Laban Rata, the base camp.

She has been doing this for the last 20 years, and she is pushing 45 on this climb. She needs to do this at least 3 times a week. Her eldest daughter is in college, and her other three children are in high school. It usually takes 3 hours for her to reach the base camp at 3300m ASL. One slow non stopping but grueling step at a time. To shift manage the load, her rattan backpack is strapped to both her shoulders and her head.

She comes from Kiau Taburi, a village on the western side of Kiau Valley,at the foot of the mountain.

jiekuan, PJE, banyanman, chaity, Oldtree, daisy has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

thaprem (2498) 2005-10-27 10:22

Oh god1...that is one hell of a Job!...
You have brought out the scene very well with warm, colours & clear lighting.
The compo is just neat!.
Thanks,
Prem.

jiekuan (330) 2005-10-27 11:41

Sharp and clear image, well done! You story recalls my memories.

I saw porter carrying 20kg gas tank, food supplies on the trail.. and they can walk(almost run) much faster than most of the climber

Bani, I wonder how many times a year you spent in Mount KK?

PJE (19527) 2005-10-27 23:04

My goodness you sure caught a glimpse of your culture here. That load looks awfully heavy. but on the bright side without teh weight she would be great at climbing almost any mountain! An awesome photo Rabani!

kclai (2267) 2005-10-27 23:08

Hi Rabani
That's an interesting daily shot, eventhough you have a single shot of her herculean task but she have been carrying the task for the past 20 years.
With this load for the past 20 years, that she have built heself with such musculine posture that can been clearly seen in your image.
The lighting that appears along the trails is good, that it show the actual footage and the way the trails look like.
No doubt the image of her body was darkened but the action of the movement is clearly executed.
Salute to the lady.
And well done to you, Rabani.
Eric Lai

banyanman (7739) 2005-10-28 10:51

What a way to earn a living - an amazing and sad story, Rabani. Your photograph is very contrasty - was there a reason you didn't try to use a fill-flash? Still a good capture as it is though. Cheers . . . David

chaity (1539) 2005-10-28 10:54

Hai Rabani, I like the color and clarity of this photo. Thanks for sharing the challenging task she has to go thru everyday.

Oldtree (2457) 2005-11-04 2:46

Hi Rabani,

this is an impressive shot as well as your note which is quite informativ. It seems you talk a lot with these people. Despite the main subject, the women, the light and details are also wonderful here, especially on the left side of the photo I like the colors and light and shadow play.
Btw.: Thanks for asking, I'm fine.
Greetings