Beyond the Tarboche, the steep sided Lha Chu or Dronglung valley leads further north, stepped in deep green vegetation. Foothills and morning mist conspire to obscure Kailas from the pilgrim, but from the elevation of Chuku Monastery, high on the outside ridge of the valley, the peak is more visible.

Pilgrims in the Lha Chu valley.

Toward its northernmost extreme, the valley curves east. Ahead lies the Dira Phuk Monastery. Two recent bridges cross the glacial rivers, the former elevated on the hillside south of the monastery.

A nomadic boy outside the Dira Phuk monastery. Behind is the north face of Kailas. Despite subzero temperatures by early evening, the boy's clothes barely covered him.

Before the unobstructed north face of Kailas the Dira Phuk monastery sits dramatically on the landscape. A small Karma Kagu order, the monastery buildings house only a couple of monks, but provides a local focus for nomads, and operates an Indian Pilgrim dormitory.