Kawa Karpo Expedition Team – Meet Them

Posted on August 18, 2012 by JeffFuchs

An expedition, a trip, an exploration, and even a walk wouldn’t have quite the impact nor essence without the human element (for better or worse). Our own journey was spiced and infused with the characters involved. With the feature article “The Kawa Karpo Expedition” now out in Outpost Magazine (Edition #89, September-October) of our epic journey, it would be remiss not to introduce our team. In no particular order…and I’m not forgetting our loyal four legged mates who lugged our human needs.

'She' is a mule, so 'she' isn't really a 'she' at all but rather an "it" as mules don't have a gender. Having said that, she just struck me as a Brenda - a little flamboyant, but loyal and steady as they come. A huge thanks from your new friends and fans in Canada.

Our horseman starting on day two, was so eager to be a part of the journey that he forgot to say good-bye to his mom. He would later turn around to head back home with his mules telling us that his mules would "not" be travelling close to a roadway as they were petrified of engines (and who could blame them). Ngawa eventually left us with a smile one morning with his four legged crew following closely, wondering if and when we would ever come back to his home for another round of barley whisky

Eloquent, engaged, and a mind full of stories and reference points; it seemed at times that Bill knew his limits exactly and dealt with it all in a brusque elegance. A Part ll to this journey might be in order and we would absolutely need Bill. He coined the phrase "What could possibly go wrong", after an entertaining series of 'blips' in logistics

While Brenda was a mule who got through its neurotic wanderings without showing much, this mule - who I simply call "Not Brenda" - didn't feel the need to hold back any of its passion or explosiveness. Flatulating at will and in all directions during most of its walking days, "Not Brenda" nevertheless aided greatly in our journey. Here "Not Brenda" enjoys a little scrub in the earth

A smile and goodwill for every occasion Roberto has that essential prerequisite for every journey: an open mind. He also displayed a ferocious talent for putting up tents in no time, and turning on the tunes with his mini speaker system in some of the most stunning geographies. More journeys to come...

Our 'young gun' who drove, drank, cooked, and learned to be ever so slightly more humble, Norbu was our 'do-it-all' guy when he felt up to it

As long as I had tea, a horizon full of mountains, and our little rumbling team I was content...except when our mules didn't show in Melixi

No more than 38 kg's soaking wet, Dashi was our tea maker and peacemaker just under Sho'la pass when our two guides Dorje and Daba decided that they 'might' want to start a war with each other. Dashi, you with your perpetually funky hair, have loads of class and we miss you...and your mules

My mate on many an expedition - on this occasion a little less than on his best form. Incorrigible, unapologetic, a veritable two-legged yak who had a penchant for stiff snorts of whisky day and night, he nevertheless provided great entertainment and an insight into the struggles and temptations of mountain men.

The star of our journey Daba. Moderate, authentically tough, resourceful, and full of that rare and fleeting quality, integrity, he made our expedition alive and safe in so many ways. We were (and are) so happy that he could take part in the journey as it was the first time in over thirty-five years that he had travelled along the route. I'll be seeing your features in September upon my return to Yunnan.

With some good fortune, we’ll do a Part ll…and perhaps a Part IX

Thanks to All

 

About JeffFuchs

Bio Having lived for most of the past decade in Asia, Fuchs’ work has centered on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories with an obsessive interest in tea. His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in award-winning publications Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post and Traveler amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America and Asia and he serves as the Asian Editor at Large for Canada’s award-winning Outpost magazine. Fuchs is the Wild China Explorer of the Year for 2011 for sustainable exploration of the Himalayan Trade Routes. He recently completed a month long expedition a previously undocumented ancient nomadic salt route at 4,000 metres becoming the first westerner to travel the Tsa’lam ‘salt road’ through Qinghai. Fuchs has written on indigenous perspectives for UNESCO, and has having consulted for National Geographic. Fuchs is a member of the fabled Explorers Club, which supports sustainable exploration and research. Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures. He has spoken to the prestigious Spanish Geographic Society in Madrid on culture and trade through the Himalayas and his sold out talk at the Museum of Nature in Canada focused on the enduring importance of oral narratives and the Himalayan trade routes. His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures. He makes his home in ‘Shangrila’, northwestern Yunnan upon the eastern extension of the Himalayan range where tea and mountains abound; and where he leads expeditions the award winning ‘Tea Horse Road Journey’ with Wild China along portions of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. To keep fueled up for life Fuchs co-founded JalamTeas which keeps him deep in the green while high in the hills.
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2 Responses to Kawa Karpo Expedition Team – Meet Them

  1. Kim says:
    August 20, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    You caught some pretty amazing images of your team. You also have a lovely writing style and enjoyed the entertaining narrative! In reading your blog, I find myself wanting to take an adventure too….. The new year beckons! Must get a copy of Outpost Magazine. Congratulations on the exposure and recognition.

    • JeffFuchs says:
      August 21, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks for the note Kim. It is appreciated. I often feel that these photos of the team need a voice to give these characters even more life. It is often the characters and the interactions between them that threaten to take over a journey…but they add so much to the landscapes and feeling. Yes, adventure and a new season beckons, so take a deep breath and step out there.
      be well Kim and thanks for reading along.

      Jeff