Monday, July 21, 2014

Going back to the Nujiang ... in September

I have just booked my flights to Lijiang for late September, from where I intend to have another shot at the Kawakarpo circuit - or possibly a crossing from Cizhong to Dimaluo on the Nujiang. My first choice would be go back to do the Yading outer kora again. However, I'm going back to the Nujiang because it seems to be the only place with decent weather at that time of year. If you recall from my last few posts, my trip to Yading in October 2013 was a disaster - completely snowbound, as was my 'Plan B' - Gongga Shan. I guess those places are just too far north for October trekking and it's too late in the year to do any decent trekking. Well, if I find there's a heatwave occuring when i get off the plane in Lijinag I may well head up to Yading, but otherwise it's the Kawakarpo circuit for me. I would like to finish what I started in 2012 (with my kids in tow) - I only managed the first half of the kora from Yongzhi to Abing on the Nujiang. This time I would like to re-cross back to the Mekong over the Sho La. And as I said, rather than repeat the Doker La (which is fantastic) I would like to try a different route over to the Nujiang via the She La from Cizhong to Dimaluo. Well, that;s the plan ... just need to get in shape now. Oh, and buy some film for my Rolleiflex ...