Plot: An aging chief's last stand, lessons for the new, and the education of a young chief-to-be played against harsh Nature in Nepal's Dolpo. When his son dies returning from Tibet's salt lakes, Tinle blames Karma, his son's friend, refuses to give Karma his blessing as the new chief, and organizes a rival caravan to take the salt to lower Nepal to trade for grain. He, a few old men, his son's widow, his grandson, and his second son, a monk, set out on the arduous journey. Fearing storms, Karma has led his caravan out of the village before the auspicious day ordained by the lamas. Tinle's group catches Karma's before the final pass; the two stubborn men lock wills with Tinle's grandson watching.
Alternative Plot: In a village in the North-Western Himalayas, Tinl, a charismatic old chieftain, whose eldest son has just died, refuses to allow the young Karma to lead the yak caravan. They both end up leading on two different routes. This is the story of their rivalry in the Himalayas.
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