Hairy tails

I can see why the bikers and off-roaders do it. But really, must every souvenir that breaches the great Himalayan Ladakhi wall bear the name of a mountain pass? Mugs, caps, T-shirts, plates to mark a personal triumph over Khardung La, Tanglang La, Zoji La, tra la la… I am rather surprised, therefore, when a friendly neighbourhood motorist brought back this hirsute emblem of Ladakhi resilience from Leh this summer. Trained by the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, villagers looking to supplement their paltry agrarian income are now matting and pressing yak wool, using a technique called dry felting, to make yaks, dzos (cross between yak and cattle), ibex and snow leopards.