Bhante Rahula has made several treks through the Himalayas since 1973. This is the account of one of these journeys, made in 1997 from Richikesh to Leh. There are many photos taken by the author. The text describes spiritual pilgrims and others encountered amidst starkly beautiful landscapes and the authors pitting himself against one of the most arduous physical climates on earth.

Exerpt:

Continuing down the path of life

To complete this long memorable Journey I made the final trek up to the Khardung La. At eighteen thousand plus feet elevation it is touted as the highest motorable road in the world. Clouds were obscuring the view further north over the Nubra Valley and beyond to the Chinese border. So what now? I had achieved what I wanted to achieve at least physically and I was mentally satisfied. I crossed the high plateaus and peaks of the Great Himalaya and walked down her valleys and bathed in the streams. It gave me strength and bliss. Now it was time to descend once again to continue walking down the path of life. Will the journey ever end?