Between October 11 and October 25, Tsuyoshi Nagai (82), Tadao Shintani (70), and I (79) drove 4,500km between Bayizhen and Lhasa, as well as north of Lhasa, to photograph various lesser-known mountains. A perfect blue sky warmly welcomed us at every key point during this trip except for our first destination: the Goikarla Ryugu range.

Our original plan had been to explore the unfrequented Goikarla Ryugu, which has several veiled peaks over 6,000m and extends some 250km from near Lhasa to Bayizhen of Nyinchi Prefecture, between the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (to the north) and the main stream of the Yarlung Tsangpo (south). For efficient investigations, we made a full use of a Toyota Land Cruiser, without camping and doing horse caravans. The result, however, was poor. The 6,000m peaks of the Goikarla Ryugu did not come into sight, as complex valleys and ridges hindered the views.

Our second objective was to approach as closely as possible to the McMahon Line in southern Tibet. [ The McMahon Line is the frontier agreed between Great Britain and Tibet in 1914. It serves as the de facto border between China and India.] However, we soon ran into another difficulty: strict and frequent checks and controls by security officials and police. All counties adjacent to the borders with Bhutan and India are totally closed to foreigners. We met no foreigners en route. Nevertheless, we gained some results thanks to our capable Tibetan guide having the sense to carefully detour around checkpoints. We photographed a complete profile of the east face of Tarlha Ri (6,777m massif) and peaks ranging south to the Bhutan border, and every side of the holy mountain Yalaxianbo and its massif.

We also were lucky to reach a holy lake, “Puma Yumco” (4,980m), which is now closed to foreigners. A grand panorama of Kulha Kangri (7,538m, a.k.a. Kula Kangri) and mountains ranging to the southwest on the Bhutan border overwhelmingly inspired us. We glimpsed the north face of the world’s highest unclimbed peak, Gangkar Puensum (7,570m), to the south. The panoramic view also included the forbidden mountain Tongshangjiabu (7,207m) far west along the Bhutan border.

In addition, we made a two-day excursion to the Nyainqentanglha West (Nyanchen Tanghla West), going one day to photograph Qungmo Kangri (7,048m) and the following day to the north bank of a holy lake: “Nam Tso” (4,718m). The snow-covered northern side was breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating.

Editor's note: The complete expedition report has dozens of photographs. Download it here.

Tom Nakamura, AAC Honorary Member, Japan