Down the Mountain – Back to Shangri La
Brett Jenks, Rare’s CEO, blogs about his trip to Asia, where he visited Pride campaigns taking place in China and Indonesia. Follow Brett’s adventures as he witnesses local conservation efforts to protect endangered species in Asia and shares how the Pride campaign model can support lasting conservation impact in this part of the world.
Sad day — time to leave the mountain.
Even though Rare’s board chair Wendy Paulson had advised me against the donkeys and mules, which she thinks are terribly uncomfortable, the group decided to ride them up the steep climb to the mountain pass, after which we walked the three hours down to the cars. Given the eight-hour drive we had after the hike, it was a good idea to save a little energy.
Ligang and I get prepared for our lazy ramble up the mountain. An hour later we were happy to be off the mules and a quarter of the way to our destination. (photo by Nigel Sizer)
But the donkeys made for some embarrassing photos, and, for the most part, we’re pretty uncomfortable putting all this stress on the donkeys. The upside is that it brings good revenue for the local communities who maintain the donkeys and provide the guide service.
Mid-hike, Ligang, Lei, and Shiyang stop for a final Yak butter tea and some warmth by a local villager’s fire.
Three hours of hiking and eight hours of driving later and we were back in Shangri La, at a temple-like hotel, complete with hot showers, heat in the rooms and while this was the eighth night in a row in a new room with a new bed, it was warm, and I have no complaints.
