Mythical

"Some trudge across this wilderness bent and broken. Bent by their load of pain and fears. Broken by a life lost in a lonely struggle.
Some journey across the deserts and over the mountains simply seeking. They come knowing only what they desire. Sadly, they return empty and bitter. They could not accept what was gifted. Nor embrace what was shown.
Some float and glide across the vast expanse of silent emptiness. Their hearts coiled with doubts. The sighing winds merely cool. The searing sunrays always burn. The land absorbs their madness but they are unmoved by her shimmering nakedness. Untouched by her mystical language. Their eyes dulled with the coldness that seeps from their dying hearts. They move on wondering why they ever came.
And I know of some who walk through this shattered landscape kneeling ever so gently to stroke the ground that holds them up to the skies. They come with all their pains. And broken promises. They come with all their questions and elusive dreams. They come with what they are. And what they can never be. They come with loving in their hearts. And they know they have come home.
And to these journeymen Ladakh gives all that is hers." ~ prabir c purkayastha

I was exhausted, having ascended from 3,500 to 5,000 meters (camped at 4,800 meters), with altitude sickness pulsing behind my eyes. All I could concentrate on, was catching the light of this warm, glowing sunset as I stumbled and slipped over loose rocks and through this glacial stream.athe colors are real ~ the mountains were golden, the hillside the color of wine, the rocks and stream green....an amazing, unexpected kaleidoscope of color in this barren land.
All critique welcome.

Two images blended for dynamic range.

Nikkon D700, Nikkor 17-35mm @ 17mm,
3.0s and 1.6s @f/16, ISO 100,
Singh Ray warming polarizer.