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.

International Alpine Equestrian Club of Outer Mongolia

Temperature: -24C

Dedicated members brave extreme conditions.

You might think it's the height of madness even thinking of venturing outside in minus 24 degree weather but myself and a few other like-minded friends were not the least bit deterred when it came to our weekly ride today. (Well, if anyone had there doubts, they certainly weren't showing it!). 

Sometimes the hardest part is actually gearing up to go outside. Being in a heated ger /yert with 2 layers of thermals, 2 pairs of cashmere socks, ugg boots, foot warmers, a ski suit, cashmere cardigan, neck warmer, glove liners, mittens, and a fox fur hat, when your ger is hotter than Hades, is one helluva test in itself!

It was so incredibly cold outside that both my iPhone and camera went into catatonic shock and refused to work.  It's a risky business taking off your gloves to handle an iPhone in those temperatures so I was  glad that option was eventually taken away from me.  Some of the (better) pictures were taken by my friend Kate who I hope is still counting 10 fingers tonight!

...because I like fences
(this was actually taken the previous week at the monastery. Mountains are still only partially covered in snow)

...some of these fences end as abruptly as they begin
So if you cant go thru you just walk around!

So much more snow just a week later

A frozen camera shot! Horses huddle together during a break on the hilltop.

It was so much icier on the hill than in the valley. Brrr!

Timeru and Baggi

No matter how cold, the sun is often shining and the sky a beautiful shade of blue.

Visitor's ger at a monastery camp -with an awesome view!

Sunny and freezing!

Snow desert.
My poor horse's face was covered in frost and icicles hung from his nose  :(

Love this picture as it looks so remote and isolated - the last frontier!

Horses graze by themselves until needed

And this is roughly where the wolf ran across in front of us.
No, there's definitely no picture! (imagination required)
It's impossible to be quick-fingered in conditions like these!


Thanks for allowing me to use some of your pictures Kate & Ronel :D

One week later...

I'm starting to realise that it's not the horse-riding that's the main appeal...but the magnificent landscapes and scenery. 

We came from the small shadowed mountain in the background just left of centre.
Only one dog escort this week!



Didn't think I'd be writing about my horse riding adventures so soon but I really wanted to share my latest photos captured on my tiny digital camera.  It was exciting to witness such a rapid transformation in the landscape. What a difference a week makes!   

The temperature was minus 3 when we headed out.  Some of the horses had icicles attached to their coat (they'd obviously traversed the river that morning).  The river although still flowing briskly is now starting to freeze over on the riverbanks and shallower areas.  It was a joy to witness how adept my horse was at breaking the ice with his hoof on the rivers edge to enjoy an obviously freezing cold drink!  (no pictures of that as I was more concerned about staying dry!).

The plains were lightly cloaked with snow. It was very cold.  It's going to be a bigger challenge in the coming weeks to stay warm.

High up on the ridge-time to rest the horses and take in the majestic views

Snow capped mountains glisten in the sunlight. Its getting much warmer by now. You can barely see the Tuul river from this distance.

Zooming in on the Tuul river.  The waters are an amazing contrast to the browning countryside. 

It's hard to descibe how vast, exquisite and tranquil it is out in the open spaces.

Tember, our guide, models his monocular used for keeping track of stock and finding routes from very long distances.

Once you turn to go home, you don't need to know the way...the animals know exactly where home is.  (Quite often this would also lead to a spontaneous, undirected gallop!!)
It's moments like those you need a Minty!!! :D