Trip Reports

Mongolia Climber 10 Aug to 26 Aug '08

Written by Leader Stuart McNeil, September 2008

This is an amazing trip, which combines mountains, cultural sights, interaction with the local people, and fantastic overland travel in to the Altai Mountains all in what can be achieved in little over a two-week holiday!

Ulaan Baatar has an a great variety of restaurants and has very comfortable hotels which is a very welcome site on return back to U.B

The journey in to the Altai undertaken in Russian jeeps gives a real insight in to the country and its people, living in Gurts and tending their large flocks of sheep, goat’s camels or yaks!

The eagles are still used for hunting and can be visited as we go in to the Altai or on your way out.

All meals except at high camp are taken in the comfortable gerts, usually there are two gerts, one for cooking in and one for eating in. We had Sandagash as our cook; a veteran of many jagged Globe trips in to this area and the food was always excellent.

Our trip incorporated one high camp around 3,500metres which gave us a good spring board to successfully climb both Kuiten (4356metres) and Nairandal (4,183metres) The route to Kuiten was generally in good conditions with a cold northerly winds blowing and around 12inch of snow in parts covering the terrain and just hiding some deep crevasses which more than one team member inspected to some degree or another.

Particular mention here to Bronwen who did a great job trail breaking up to the Chinese col and helped forged the route through to Kuiten. This just left us the steep slope up to the summit ridge, which on this occasion was in good condition with only small patches of wind slab, which could generally be avoided. Six clients and two guides enjoyed the summit ridge visiting both high tops which offered fantastic all round views in to China, Russia and Mongolia.

After a reasonable nights sleep we departed at a very civilized hour to climb Nairandal. And walk around the summit pole visiting three countries in a matter of seconds. We then descended all the way down to our base camp where after a good nights sleep we climbed our 3rd a final summit Malchin (4,037m), it was a very pleasant experience to be going back towards Malchin only carrying our light day sacs! We spent almost an hour on top enjoying all round views particularly looking over to Kuiten and Nairandal.

The next two days included the walk out to the park gates and the jeep ride back to our overnight stay in Gurts at Olgii and a few well-earned beers! A visit to the bathhouse and a hot shower is a must.

Summiteers included: Shane Beaman, Reverend Morgan Bat (ever group should have one!) Noelle Godfrey, Michael Holloran, Steve Owens, Mike Martin, Joe Brown. Guides Bronwen Waters & Stuart McNeil.

Finally may I thank all team members for their company in the mountains and making this a safe and enjoyable trip.

Stuart McNeil, Expedition Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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