Passes and prayer flags

The Khumba is Buddhist territory, so prayer flags, gompas, and chortens are everywhere. I decided to place a few flags of my own, as tributes.

High on the Cho La, three flags for three Sierra mountaineers who I never met, but feel connected to via our shared passion for the hills: For Tom, Ishun, and Pat.

A bit more personal on Gokyo Ri, a flag for my father, and a poem, using the flag colors as a framework:

White, for the crisp fall air, sun filtering through golden leaves on mountain twisties,
With the red of fire, passion, for the open road
Traversing from the green of the sea, which you loved,
--And though you can't smell the salt from here, you can feel the breeze with a view of endless white caps--
To the yellow earth of Appalachia.

Let the Himalayan breezes blow through dancing colors
And carry my whispers
Over this world's highest points
and to the blue ether.
I love you.