The Gokyo Lakes in the Khumbu region of Nepal sit in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, varying from 4,700-5,000 metres above sea level, making them the highest lake system in the world. The vibrant colour of each lake changes seasonally, varied by the quantity of various minerals found in the surrounding landscape.
Nestled among the lakes sits one of the world’s highest settlements: the small village of Gokyo at 4,750 metres. Its inhabitants live on the eastern shore of the main lake, Dudh Pokhari, pressed between the peak of Gokyo Ri and the Ngozumpa glacier which is the longest glacier in all the Himalayas.
The Gokyo Lakes are considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists and the belief that wildlife in the area should not be harmed has protected local fauna which have managed to thrive despite their harsh surroundings.
Matt Jones recently graduated from RMIT’s Photography Bachelor in Melbourne where he majored as a documentary photographer. In 2012 he
lived in Tianjin, China, where he studied Mandarin and photography for several months. Whilst in China he was invited to speak about his work and current projects at Pingyao Photography Festival.
His self-published photobook ‘Lakes of Gokyo’ which he created in Nepal after his time in China was listed as a finalist by the Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive in their photobook of the year award. He is currently working on a long term photo-essay about the sex industry in Australia.
