Exploring the Midway Point of Shika Snow Mountain 石卡雪山

I was quite surprised to see us going down the mountain. It doesn’t seem like we were at the top of the mountain yet. A look around and it will confirm that we were only halfway up the mountain. There was a small valley here which provided us with a small break before continuing on to the summit. It was a wlecome break for me since I was concerned about the altitude of the mountain. Having a small break in between would give me a little breather, excuse the pun, as my concerns about altitude sickness rise along with the altitude. So far, I think I am doing fine, but then again, those are famous last words. The valley is quite splendid and it was quite surprising to see a huge patch of green up on the mountain.

There midway point also features a large grassy plain which was quite popular here in Yunnan since city folk like me hardly ever get to see plains as big as this. To think it is on top of a mountain makes it even more fantastic. There is also a souvenir shop here where you can buy all things Tibetan. I wasn’t really interested in those though. But they do sell these oxygen canisters which go for CNY 60. Probably this is for the more paranoid like myself but I didn’t purchase one, I reasoned that I think I was still okay and that I have already spent two full days here in Shangrila, I probably have already adjusted to the high elevation. Yet, there were people here inhaling their oxygen, I don’t really know if it works or whether it is just a placebo. Bottled air, for sale, who would have known.

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