Mount Everest, Tibet
ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ
Desolate, cold and very little oxygen, Mount Everest conquers all, Tibet — December 3, 2004
Enjoying the views of Mount Everest from North Base Camp, Tibet — December 3, 2004
Altitude: 5,545 meters (18,192 ft)
Mount Everest from the Friendship Highway, Tibet — December 3, 2004
This is the North face of Mt Everest as seen from one of the highest elevated passes on the Friendship Highway. When I got here, I took out my digital camera and the batteries were dead. I then took out my trusty Canon A2 and its batteries were dead as well. Panic struck. Here I was, in Tibet, looking at an entirely unobstructed view of Mt Everest—a rarity indeed as clouds often hide the summit—and my equipment was failing left and right. Luckily there was still enough oxygen in my starving brain to think a bit. As I buttoned my coat I realized that all my equipment was frozen! I instantly pulled out all the batteries and shoved them in my crouch and under my arms and waited. Eight minutes later I got this shot and then the rest below. What do you think? This moment proved to be the spiritual and physical climax of my 15-month survey of Asia. This moment is one that will stay with me forever.