 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.