Expedition Stats: Jackson Hole: 6400 feet (1900 meters) San Francisco: 13 feet (4 meters) Chengdu: 1758 feet (536 meters) Lhasa: 11,975 feet (3650 meters) Dates: September 2-9, 2002

The entire team meets in San Francisco prior to catching the flight to Seoul, South Korea. From Seoul, the team flies to Chengdu in the heart of central China’s Sichuan province. Chengdu holds plenty of potential for bureaucracy and red tape. Says Mark Newcomb, "The big travel hurdle - getting everything to Chengdu and getting out of Chengdu. When we get on the flight to Lhasa, I can relax and look out the window at the Nychen Tanglha, the same view that inspired Bonington to go to Sepu."

The next stop - Lhasa - home of the legendary Potala Palace - the heart of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. For Mark and Carlos, old hands at Tibet, the stopover presents a chance for perspective. For the others in the team, Lhasa is full of wonder - a dream come true.

continue >