Two Day Horse Trek: Day 1

I have just spent two unforgettable, exciting days exploring the Mongolian countryside. Venturing far off the beaten track, we climbed up through high wooded mountain passes, down through river valleys and traversed fast flowing waters  and camped the night (on a steep slope!) in what I believe to be some of the most beautiful, unspoiled countryside in the world. The scenery was spectacular and ever changeing and although the ride on day 2 challenged my limited riding skills, I can now honestly attest to being capable of riding anywhere that may require the sure-footedness of a mountain goat!
I never imagined riding would be such an enriching experience -it has certainly given me a wonderful perspective and understanding of what makes Mongolia such a special place and just why its culture and history is so tightly linked to the horse.

Here are some of my favourite scenes/memories...

One of many challenges: Stay dry-Fail.
Not long into the trek Baggi, our unflappable and fearless guide for the trip, tests the waters and guides our back-up horse across the river before coming back to get us (hopefully with a better idea of the shallowest route!). 

...while we contemplate getting wet!

Just to get some perspective on how wide the river was due to heavy rains a few days before.
 As Baggie's silhouette gets smaller, I begin to wonder if the horses are still in fact walking or swimming!

To cover most contingencies, I travelled with  a guide, 3 friends, a spare horse and a support vehicle (which carried our food, camping gear and liquid "refreshments").  The car was supposed to accompany us on the first day provided it made it across the river. Unfortunately the Land Cruiser proved not as robust as our sturdy horses!!  
Didn't quite pull out the camera in time to catch the car being set adrift but you'll get a good idea of just how fast flowing the river was (and  how lucky it wasn't all over before it had even began!)

The water is drained from the car and at which point Julie decides it's prudent to make the crossing in a state of "undress".  I followed suit and went barefoot! The Toyota took to the road and met us at Turtle Rock.

Sue being suited up with a back-pack, Mongolian style.
Thanks for carrying my boots! :D

Barely able to keep my feet above the water (me in front) but I'm not sure why I bothered,
I still got pretty wet.

Further on, grassy green meadows -perfect for a long gallop.

Aaawwww!
This pic is a snapshot of the valley the International Equestrian Club of Outer Mongolia (IECOOM)
resides in... the first cluster of gers beside the river at the base of the hill is our home/club house.
Beautiful right?! We get to come here most weeks.( Approximately an hour and a half out of town)

Girls pull in for refreshments after a long gallop

Turtle Rock

Beautiful granite rock formations

This downslope was our campsite for the night. 
Trying to sleep on this was like trying to stay put on the deck of the Titanic-impossible! 
I'm still clueless as to why this place was chosen as our campsite.

My friends: Sue, Julie and Robyn. 
Challenge 2: Get a good nights sleep.  Fail!

Trying to gather enough wood before dark.  
The wood was extremely dry so nothing a good foot stomp couldn't chop!

View from our patch- a scree fall

A quaint buddhist monastery nestled into a granite hill. We visited the next morning. 200 plus steps, each with words of wisdom written on a plaque-some food for thought while ascending (and descending).

In the early morning Baggi returns with the overnight absconders!
Although fettered for the night the horses still managed to go AWOL!!
Just another reminder that they are still wild horses and when not being ridden they are free to roam.

Stay tuned for Day 2 now that the horses have been caught! :D we'll be leaving the steppes and taking the short cut home, OVER the hills.

Horse riding-an extreme sport!

"Saddle Row"

Although it's somewhere below -20 degrees , the sky is a dazzling blue, the sun shines brightly and you might be forgiven for thinking it's a wonderful day!  Well, it  definitely was "wonder-full " ambling through the blanket of pristine snow. It was a short ride but nonetheless peaceful and relaxing.  We trekked to a nearby hill,  dismounted and just took in the majesty of the snow capped mountains that surrounded us. 

I know I have already shared  a few of my horse rides with you and will more than likely share a few more because each time you go out it is spectacularly unique!  

Colour coordinated with my horse today !

Uggs are not the most ideal riding boot but they defintely keep your feet warmer!

My obligatory fence shot :D

unembellished beauty...

The river is now frozen solid and covered in snow
 (at least that's they were quietly telling themselves standing there!!)

Looking back towards the ger and surrounds.
Picture taken by the hikers.

Making snow "tiles" high on a neighbouring hill-

a glorious spot to contemplate, reflect,

 gaze at the surrounding mountains and take in the fresh air

...keeping the home fires burning
Julie's ger is very "cheerfully" decorated with traditional Mongolian furniture.

A Weekend in the Countryside

Summertime in Mongolia is short but spectacular.   There are endless expanses of grasslands, low mountain ranges, granite cliffs, fertile valleys, lakes and rivers to enjoy.  It's also the home of 30 million goats, sheep, cows and camels, so there are a lot of encounters with livestock!  It's not at all difficult to understand why during summer there is a mass exodus to the countryside in keeping with nomadic tradition.   It's definitely a welcome relief from the city's congestion.  Last weekend we also joined the ranks  to soak up some fresh air and rural simplicity...  these photos are a good representation of what a weekend spent in the countryside looks like.

Double click on the photos if you want to see them full screen

This is the "highway" out of town-
narrow with tons of hazards like potholes, wandering animals and people who stop to relieve themselves! (not all that different from a city road!)

Our Ger camp exit

The following pictures were taken on our walk.   Ole told us he knew friends living "over the next hill" who we should pay a surprise visit to, but in fact it turned out to be 2 challenging hills!  The scenery made up for the unexpected "hike".  We arrived to find nobody home. A neighbour said they had gone to the "countryside" for the weekend. Had to chuckle, I really thought that's where we were!!

Looks as though this could be a farm scene in any country

Getting higher....

and higher...

...and higher still!  We came from the gers pictured on the right (in the valley).
(the soccer pitch will be seen from another view further on in the blog again)

Ole...waiting for the stragglers

Judy and Col

The view is different again from another perspective.

On our travels, we found a group of people preparing traditional Mongolian Khorkhog which is basically mutton cooked with hot stones. Meat is layered with vegetables and hot rocks in a container which is then closed and put on the stove to simmer.  Apparently they can tell when its ready by the aroma.  I was happy to see all the men doing the preparations!

That's burning dung in the centre of the picture.
 The guy in the foreground is peeling carrots, onions and potatoes

The meat, veges and hot stones will be layered into the milk jug on the right.

Some of the meat...looks quite lean in comparison to what's usually on offer!

Passing cow parade at dusk each night...they seemed to know where they were headed.

...enjoying a pre dinner drink after a long walk

There were some heavy rain showers on Sunday afternoon.
 This is the soccer pitch that was in an earlier picture.

The Flora and Fauna....up close.

A herder who was making good business offering horse and camel rides.

They say dog owners really do look like their pets.
  Could it be the same for camel owners??
I didn't want to be unkind but I couldnt help  comparing this man's face with his camels!

You often see calves with Coca Cola cans hanging off their noses 
(they are used as a weaning aid :(  )

We had to pass this guy as we rounded the fence.  
Although he was timid, he was large and intimidating up close!

The hills were covered in a large variety of wild flowers.

It was quite suprising to see how similar the flora was to our own Australian natives.

It's not difficult to see why Mongolians retreat to the countryside every chance they get. 
I think we'll do the same!

Please feel free to post comment in comment section below, I love hearing from you!  Thanks to everyone who does via email and Facebook,  it's very encourageing to see so much interest in Mongolia.  Susie

Disclaimer:  Although he was also in the countryside, there are no pictures of Dad as he was attending a workshop in a 5 star Hotel!! about 10 km away.