Leaving the Steppe Hotel in Khovd after breakfast, we drive 10 kilometers north and spot a promising peak that looks both prominent and climbable. Consulting our maps, we estimate its prominence to be at least 200 meters, a figure Rob later updates to 249 meters. Clearly, it’s an appealing detour for peakbaggers en route to…
Leaving the Steppe Hotel in Khovd after breakfast, we drive 10 kilometers north and spot a promising peak that looks both prominent and climbable. Consulting our maps, we estimate its prominence to be at least 200 meters, a figure Rob later updates to 249 meters. Clearly, it’s an appealing detour for peakbaggers en route to another ultra-prominent peak. Naturally, we veer off the paved road to approach it more closely.
Steep rocky slopes flank the sides of the gully
Upon parking at the last viable spot, we switch to boots and begin our ascent. A faint trail leads us to a saddle where we veer left, tackling a mild scramble to reach the summit, marked by a cairn. The views from the top are breathtaking, offering 360-degree vistas of surrounding peaks, a verdant river valley, a striking blue factory or mine, and a mining road frequented by mega trucks.
Today’s excursion was a delightful detour, offering stunning views and a pleasant trail, making our brief stopover entirely worthwhile. With today primarily designated for driving, we resume our journey towards Jargalant Khairkhan, satisfied with our morning’s adventure.
Roughly 10% of the world’s flowering plants display violet or purple hues and another 10% produce yellow flowers, raising the question: what colors make up the remaining 80%?
