JD-0042
Base Camp on Unnamed Glacier, Kok Shaal Tau Mountains, Tien Shan Range, Xinjiang Province, China
© 2000 Jerry Dodrill

This wasn't the most luxurious site to setup base camp for a month-long trip of climbing and exploring in the remote northwest Chinese border. However, it was the only place we could find that was relatively flat, close to clean running water and safe from avalanches and rock fall. During the night, we heard the deep cracking and groaning of the ice just below the surface as the glacier moved imperceptibly down the valley.