Our camp beside yak herders camp. Yak herders talking to Chamba. Christina and Johnny.
Lingti plains. Yak herder man and two children. Gaddi flock in background.
Climbing up to the Phitse-La.
Gaddi, Summer camp on Lingti, beyond Bara Lacha La. A young man wearing a tweed ‘chola’ is churning butter in a sheepskin. Note the kitchen utensils, another sheepskin sack, and the hookah. A homespun blanket is drying on the wall. Pile of dried roots for fuel.
On the way to Zanskar. Christina & tent near the Zanskar side of the Baralacha-La. We were having to rest for Johnny to recover from serious altitude effects.
We met Dorze’s mother along the way at a village beyond Testha. She is wearing traditional headdress, with ear pieces and cloak made of goat and sheep skin.. Tall stepfather has a traditional spoon hanging from his waist. Another man is pouring chang from a kettle to welcome us. Men and children are wearing traditional hats.
Zanskar. Johnny on a bridge. In August 1975, my brother Johnny Noble, Kranti & I went to Zanskar (I was 3 or 4 months pregnant with Rahul). Chamba & Dorze, both Zanskaris, came with us. We went via the Baralacha-La (Pass), 16,000 ft & the Phitse-La, 17,000 ft. We camped at Testha village, home to Dorze & his wife. And then after Padam on (Zanskar HQ) to Karsha village, home to Chamba. After that we crossed the Pensi La & left Zanskar via Kargil town & on to Kashmir.
Testha village. Children with traditional caps. Note ragged cloak in which to carry little sister.
Testha children.
Testha village children.
Testha children.