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.
We nudged our car to its limits, because obviously, in the grand scheme of a hike, every step saved counts.We navigated a gently sloping gully trail for both our ascent and descent, proving it’s not always about the steepness of the journey but the destination.Steep rocky slopes flank the sides of the gullyRob ascends the gully, tackling the climb with determined strides.
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.
Looking back offers stunning vistas, rewarding the journey with breathtaking views.Glancing back reveals captivating vistas, enriching the journey with picturesque landscapes.At the saddle, the terrain evens out, offering a momentary reprieve before short ascent continues.At the summit, we encounter the usual cairn, marking our arrival at the peak.A blue-painted factory or mine stands out, appearing quite new against the backdrop.Several smaller peaks stand close by, enhancing the landscape with their majestic silhouettes.The summit offers panoramic views, stretching across the horizon in all directions.A nearby peak boasts an impressive sandy slope, promising a thrilling slide down.Green color on the map indicates the presence of a river.The landscape unfolds into sandy vistas, offering expansive views of the desert terrain.
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%?
Jast
1714 m altitude
249 m prominence
Ranges
Mongolia Ranges - Altai
Countries/regions
Khovd - Mongolia
Distance
0.90 km up
0.90 km down
Elevation
293 m gain
293 m loss
Time
0h40 up
0h05 other
0h30 down
1h15 total
Trailhead
1420 m altitude
48.0771940, 91.7303050
Route
Ascending from the car through a gradual gully on a shepherd's trail, we reach the saddle and turn left, leaving the lower summit to our right, and we return via the same route.
