Caravans of camels and donkeys carrying salt from Lake Assale across the East African rift to Tigre Province where it will be sold for human and animal consumption. The young men make an average of 150-200 Ethiopian Birr (16.6 Birr = $1.00) per day in a traditional labor and trade that has been ongoing for centuries. The lake is some 150m. below sea level. Camels depart with 20 slabs of salt each weighing approximately 7kg., for a total load of approx. 300 lbs.
