The main results of the expedition Kailash - 2010
May 5 – 31, 2010
1. The hydrologic system near Mt. Kailash was subject to investigation. Water flows from the mountains around Mt. Kailash reach the Barka Plateau and eventually join in two rivers that flow in Lake Raksas Tal. The water from the glaciers of Mt. Kailash is carried only by three rivers. The first river, La Chu, rises about 20 km north of Mt. Kailash and takes the water flows from the glaciers near the East, North and West Faces of Mt. Kailash. The second river, Dzong Chu, is formed at the confluence between Lham Chu (springs from the same glacier as La Chu) and Topchen Chu; and near the Zutrul Phuk Monastery it receives the water from the glacier of the Symmetrical Valley. The third river, Darchen Chu, is formed at the Serlung Chu-Gyandrak Chu confluence. The Serlung Chu river brings its water from the two glaciers of Mt. Kailash located in the west and east valleys of the inner khora. All above rivers finally join together in one river at the Barka Plateau and flow into Lake Raksas Tal. The second river that runs into the lake receives its water from the slopes of the Kailash ridge, to the east. And this river is significantly smaller than the first one. Between Lake Manasarovar (4604 m) and Lake Raksas Tal (4580 m) there is the Ganga river in the north part. The length of Ganga is about 10 km (the stretch between its source and outlet is 8 km). Currently, because of low water level in Lake Manasarovar, the source of the Ganga river (flowing out of Manasarovar) is not visible. But owing to the hot springs near Chiu Monastery, the Ganga river, however, brings its water to Lake Raksas Tal. Among four rivers (Karnali, Brahmaputra, Indus and Satlej) that have their sources in vicinity of Mt. Kailash the only Satlej river streams down directly from Kailash.
2. There are four islands in Lake Raksas Tal: Topserma (Dose), the Dola, Lachato (Nadzhado), and Dosharba. The two biggest islands, Topserma and the Dola, have been explored. Local people visit these islands only in winter over the ice and use them as winter pastures for yaks. On Topserma there have been found some stone ruins proving Svami Pranavananda’s information on the lama who lived here for seven years in the early 20th century (the Buddhist lama in the middle of the demoniac lake!). In its shape the Topserma island is similar to a triangle. There are some geometric regularities in the form of its shoreline. The focal axes of the concave and convex sections of the shoreline hit the topographic features on the opposite side of the lake or on the nearest island. The most northern part of the lake represents a right triangle. Interestingly, the focal plane of the Symmetrical Valley passes trough the equally-spaced positions between these two lakes and goes further across the glacier near the Gurla Mandata east face. In addition, the three islands are located on the same straight line, and the fourth island finally makes the right triangle. It was assumed that this lake is a natural converter of energy flows on the different vibration levels. The rock of the island significantly differs from the conglomerates in the region of Kailash: it is highly rough ground and is likely to be much more ancient. The islands have been visited in spring-summer season for the first time owing to total lack of local boats. The splendid views of Kailash against the background of Lake Raksas Tal have been taken.
3. The four lakes near Lake Manasarovar have been explored (three lakes are in the north part and one is to the southwest).
4. The headwaters of the Satlej river have been investigated. This river flows from the northwest part of Lake Raksas Tal that forms nearly a right angle.
5. The river channels flowing from the Kailash ridge have been explored at the places of confluence with Lake Raksas Tal.
6. The ritual bath in Raksas Tal and then in Manasarovar has been taken. The water of these lakes is considered as “dead” and “live-giving” water. Herewith internal sensations of different people were analyzed.
7. The so-called Total Khora was performed. This khora concludes a consecutive walk around Kailash, first counter-clockwise, and then clockwise, similar to the streamlines of the La Chu and Zong Chu rivers flowing in the valleys on the outer khora. Such consecutive walk around Kailash counter-clockwise and clockwise with the same team is likely to be accomplished for the first time. Internal sensations of expeditionists were analyzed.
8. For the first time the members of the team performed a Khora of Kailash's Faces Touching in one course (in a clockwise direction). The above khora implies a consecutive approach to the West, North, East, and South Faces of Mt. Kailash with fulfillment of some special practices.
· When approaching the base of the West Kailash’s Face the team (Sergey Balalaev, Valery Babanov, and Vadim Filippov) passed through a gorge with rock flaps and icefalls (the most difficult Face to be touched). The foot of Kailash was investigated in detail.
· When approaching the North Face the team (Sergey Balalaev, Valery Babanov, Vadim Filippov, and Evgenij Tsydenzhapov) carried on studying the glacier and the foot of this face.
· Near the East Face (Sergey Balalaev, Valery Babanov, Vadim Filippov, and Evgenij Tsydenzhapov) it was raining from the top of the mountain (although the weather was sunny and cloudless).
· When approaching the South Face the team (Sergey Balalaev, Valery Babanov, Vadim Filippov, and Evgenij Tsydenzhapov) stayed overnight in the cavity at the foot of the mountain, near thirteen chortens. The traditional inner khora was performed as well.
11. The west crest of the inner khora has been investigated from its peak, Rock Fin, to Little Kailash. The complex of the “Rock Fin” has been explored (Valery Babanov) together with a rock figure looking like “a sitting man” at its base. It has been found that near the rock figure there was an artificial pyramid with square base that was precisely oriented to the quarters of the world.
12. The mountain (5950 m), across from the front of Nandi (from the Gyandrak Monastery), has been climbed (Sergey Balalaev) as well. This is one of the best points for outlook and meditation to Kailash Mandala. Some high quality panoramic photographs of Kailash Mandala have been taken.
13. The team (Valery Babanov, Sergey Balalaev) has climbed up the valley near the southwest ridge of Mt. Kailash. The route to this valley from the side of the outer khora goes through a gorge. The initial stretch represents nearly an upright icefall of 50 m high. The special equipment and ice crafts were used to overcome it. However, this gorge, at the confluence with the valley, turned out to be impassable, and the photos of this valley were taken only from the west crest of the inner khora, from the foot of Little Kailash.
14. The members of the expedition (Valery Babanov, Sergey Balalaev) carried on the study of the Symmetrical Valley and the glacier near the concave rock mirror that was the part of the Kailash’s southeast shoulder. The water flows down from the upper part of the west mountain range (in the region of the glacier), and in the lower part of the valley these streams of water disappear. It is not unlikely that there are some large cavities under the Symmetrical Valley where this water can be drained. For the first two days the water of the stream flowing out of the glacier was pink (the same as it was in 2007). However, on the third day the water was lacteous (as in 2009). Perhaps, there are definite cycles when the water goes through the reddish rocks containing iron impurities.
15. Staying in the Symmetrical Valley and in the Valley of Life and Death, near the focal point of the concave rock mirror (three days and two nights), and performing a number of spiritual practices.
16. The team took part in one of the important Buddhist holidays - Saga Dava and Tarboche.
17. During the expedition a video film was shot and recorded in professional FULL HD format.