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

25km horse trek

Terelj National Park

First things first- catch the horses!!! 

There doesn't seem to be an end to the list of extraordinary experiences you can have here in Mongolia.  For me, it's one of the many anomalies of life here- you expect so little yet you receive so much.  It's difficult to understand why expectation is so low when you are continually being amazed by the people, the land, the culture and the pervading history.  

Yesterday I rode 25km's through the most spectacular countryside I have ever had the pleasure of traversing. Accompanied by 15 friends, 4 herders, 3 dogs (one lame!) and 3 support cars (much needed for carrying tired riders, excess warm clothing that was discarded along the way, refreshments and a picnic lunch) we headed for the finish line, Turtle Rock. 

This incredible journey was made possible by Julie Veloo,  a fellow denizen who has taken the "Mongolian experience" to another level by purchasing a ger and moving in (part-time) to a country-side neighbourhood!!   With that move came all the pleasures and rewards of being able to experience the day to day life of a Mongolian family, not only learning their customs and traditions but also receiving their generous hospitality.  Part of Julie's initiative to mutually enhance the experience for all concerned has been to introduce a weekly riding group which I feel very priviledged to be part of.

So...before you can go on a ride you have to catch the horses!  You wouldn't think that would be too hard a task with tamed horses. Not so. These horses still love to be wild and free so catching them requires skill, agility, speed and an "uurga" (a pole lasso used to catch horses and other livestock- about 4-5 metres in length with a leather loop on one end).  That's "my" horse second from the right in the foreground.  She's taken me many miles in an orderly fashion despite my lack of riding skills!  

The job's made a little easier when you corner yourself on a rocky hill

Desperate dash...

...all for naught!

Once you've caught your horse then someone comes to attach the bridle and....

...leaves you at the "loading dock" ready to be saddled up.
Julie's neighbourhood- That's her ger on the left.

the view (from the "long drop")

On our way!...

The first river crossing.  The second was not so kind!  My horse ended up half submerged and although I was able to keep mainly dry, water quickly seeped into my boots. Fortunately the situation rectified itself after an hour or so and my socks were completely dry by the end of the day! 

Expansive plains with yaks, horses, marmots, sheep and goats interspersed along the way. Oh! and a few stray dogs.

First pitsop.  Julie on the left, Baggi and our guides who patiently attended to all our equestrial needs. 

There was plenty of room to ride "alone" and take in the length and breadth of the surrounding beauty.

SPACE

amazing rock formations

An "owoo": these places of worship are scattered all over Mongolia

Highest point of the trek

Our excellent guides

Captivating. Serene. Awe-inspiring

The scenery was ever changing

Our destination Turtle Rock, in the distance

Turtle Rock

After a 4 hour journey we arrived late into the afternoon. We all enjoyed a picnic "lunch" and a well earned rest before the herders ushered the horses back home (at least a 2 hour trip!) Ulaanbaatar is around an hour and 15 minutes drive.

Homeward bound.....


Oh! and just before you go, there's one more picture I'd like to share of me picking up my hat at full gallop!

Just Kidding!!