Range Altai
Bayankhongor offered the next chapter in our adventure. Initially drawn to “Peak 2085m, Bayankhongor,” we found ourselves atop “Peak 2222m, Bayankhongor” just minutes later. The views from both peaks, while impressive, weren’t quite jaw-dropping but certainly worth the effort. Tomorrow brings an unplanned climb of Tariani Bogd, adding an element of spontaneity to our journey.
Range Altai
En route to Bayankhongor, nestled beside the Tuin River, the allure of “Peak 2085m, Bayankhongor” and subsequently “Peak 2222m, Bayankhongor” captivated us. We embarked on the ascent of the former, quickly followed by the latter, each offering expansive views that made our efforts worthwhile and enhanced our sense of achievement.
Range Altai
Our third ultra-peak adventure looms in the distance, teasing us with its inaccessibility for a simple day hike. We ambitiously seek a path to its steeper inclines, guided by satellite images of elusive car tracks that play a frustrating game of now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t. As twilight descends, we push our vehicle to its limits until the…
Range Altai
Yesterday’s failed attempt to summit Myangan Yamaat peak turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Retracing our steps, we stumbled upon a beacon of hope: a camp spotted on a map, merely 3.5 km west of our target, complete with a clear trail of car tracks visible from the heavens. Though we didn’t pop…
Range Altai
Just hours before sunset, we arrive at a valley on the east side, which, according to our map, should lead us directly to the summit. So, we believe following this valley or river, then tackling some slopes or ridges, should get us there. Yet, doubts linger, though hope stubbornly remains. We drive until the car…
Range Gobi Desert Ranges
The journey to the peak is an adventure in itself, spiced up with a game of ‘Name That Peak!’ along the way. Ich-Tevsh-Ula? Sounds more like a magic incantation than a mountain, yet here it is, towering with its P200 status. Yes, we were the ones keeping score, and post-climb, we triumphantly declared it P202….
Range Gobi Desert Ranges
After summiting Peak 1156, Rob ventures northwest to Peak 1158, and I head back to the car, driving a few kilometers before we reconvene at the col. This new peak appears more approachable and gentler than its counterpart. Parking a short distance away, we split up once more: Rob explores the left slopes while I…
Range Gobi Desert Ranges
Yesterday’s attempt to cross the Gobi Desert took an unexpected turn with a sandstorm blurring our path forward. We halted, seeking direction from road construction workers, whose varied advice only tangled our plans further. Thus, we retraced our steps 150 km back to Dalanzadgad. Today, en route from Dalanzadgad to Bogd, we’re making quick stops…
Range Gobi Desert Ranges
Embarking from Ulaanbaatar towards Dalanzadgad, we encounter a mostly smooth road, marred only by occasional potholes across a hundred kilometers, which still permits rapid travel. Gathering supplies near the airport at dawn, we journey several hundred kilometers to Mandalgobi. Here, we enjoy a pleasant lunch in a quaint restaurant, unexpectedly operated by the owner’s timid…
Range Gobi Desert Ranges
Rob misses his flight, thanks to Heathrow Airport’s “cutting-edge” scale and check-in system that seems to fancy adding imaginary weight to luggage. In the end, Rob’s right, and British Airways? Well, they messed up. But expecting a giant corporation to actually care is like hoping for a heatwave in the Arctic—wishful thinking at its finest….
RegionUlan Bator
Feast your eyes on the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, towering at 130 feet as the world’s tallest equestrian metal marvel. Perched by the Tuul River, it not only honors the legendary Khan but also commemorates the legendary discovery of a golden whip at this very site. Oriented towards his birthplace, the statue reigns over a…
Range Central Philippines
In early 2023, I received an intriguing message from Dave. He was proposing a trip to the Philippines. With the knowledge that the Philippines boasts twenty-nine ultra-prominent peaks, my enthusiasm to agree was immediate. The allure was heightened by the fact that a significant number of these towering mountains also stand as island highpoints. Add…
RegionAd-Dawhah
The flight from Manila to London passes through Doha. The stopover is too short to visit Qatar highpoint, but long enough to explore Doha in the evening. We leave the airport, find the metro, quickly learn how to buy tickets and are soon on a well-conditioned train heading into the city centre. We get off…
RegionBicol Region (V)
Like most countries in Asia, the Philippines is a lively, vibrant, and fascinating place. I won’t attempt to give a comprehensive overview but rather share some photos and memories that I brought back with me. Food lovers would need a considerable amount of time to explore the endless culinary possibilities. Nature lovers could spend a…
RegionMetro Manila
Welcome to the delightful chaos of Manila, where the urban landscape is an exciting tapestry of sights, sounds, and a thousand smells. The shopping malls here are so vast they could probably host their own Olympic Games, complete with different climate zones for each event. Road traffic is like the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti,…
Range Central Philippines
Mount Madjaas is the highest point on the island, with a prominence of over two thousand meters, and is quite isolated. These factors make this Ultra peak very visible on our radar. An added bonus is that no peak baggers have reported reaching the summit. Initially, we are unsure whether we can reach Panay Island…
Range Luzon
The highest point on the island of Luzon is Mount Pulag – 2922 meters, just 20 meters from the World Top 100 Prominence list. We find this hike very beautiful and interesting, especially because of the dwarf bamboo grasslands. The registration process is mostly boring but probably necessary due to the number of people trying…
Range Luzon
It is very surprising to see such a beautiful pine forest on this peak, as opposed to the usual jungle in the region. We all agree that this walk reminds us of the Alps in Europe, although there are some differences, such as the leeches we find along the way. Fortunately, I do not get…
Range Luzon
Mount Labo – an interesting and remote Ultra mountain – had no peakbagger reports and little information. So we got up early in Daet, met our trike driver, and drove almost an hour to the trailhead near the village of San Isidro. After formal registration, we were introduced to the local guide and soon began…
Range Luzon
The most feasible route we identify from Davao to Naga involves flying through Cebu. While this option requires changing airlines and rechecking our luggage, the overall experience is reasonable. Thankfully, we don’t encounter significant delays and arrive on schedule. Upon our arrival at Naga airport, we are welcomed by sunny weather and high temperatures. Interestingly,…
Range Mindanao
After successfully completing our morning ascent of Mount Matutum, we made our way back to Davao. En route, we consulted the map and identified a small hill with a road leading to its summit. Two aspects piqued our curiosity about this hill: firstly, it held a prominence of 100 meters, and secondly, it bore the…
Range Mindanao
The second ultra peak on our grand itinerary was Mount Matutum. Despite the park being closed and obtaining permission being a challenge, the trail was somewhat overgrown and obstructed, though still navigable. I began my GPS track at 2:57 am, indicating an early start to the day. Initially, we traversed farmland before descending slightly. Numerous…
Range Mindanao
Mount Matutum is within close reach, and with the day stretching out ahead of us, we feel unhurried. Upon scrutinizing the map, our eyes quickly land on Samal Island, its pinnacle, and the delineated trail leading up. Albert’s affirmation about the ease of accessing the island and its zenith further bolsters our enthusiasm. Consequently, we…
Range Mindanao
The highpoint of the Philippines is Mount Apo, located on Mindanao island. Naturally, it also claims the title of the island’s highest point. Globally, it ranks as the 99th most prominent mountain, boasting an altitude of 2,954 metres. There are several compelling reasons to ascend it. Apart from being an active stratovolcano, many local tribes…