Mud and sand became our unwelcome companions, forcing us to ditch our original plan and veer towards the imposing Jargalant Khairkhan. Its peak, oh-so-close yet twenty kilometers of mystery away, mocked us with its majestic presence. Satellite imagery, our sole guide, felt more like a cryptic treasure map than a reliable navigation tool. Kilometers bled…
Jast
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…
Baatar Khairkhan
From the majestic vista of Bumbag Khairkhan Uul, with its snow-capped peak beckoning, we set our sights south towards the quaint village of Tsetseg, where, in a display of unwavering tradition, we indulge in our daily ice cream fix. Post-village bliss, we hit a road that’s surprisingly decent until, of course, it decides to give…
Bumbag Khairkhan Uul
Rob and I set off towards yet another mystery peak, armed with the summit’s coordinates but clueless about the base’s whereabouts. The maps hint at a bumpy twenty-kilometer detour off-road, the ease of which remains a coin toss. Slicing through the steppes, we aim straight for the base, but our initial pivot towards the ridge…
Peak 1727m, Taishir
Shortly after conquering “Peak 1774m Taishir,” we encountered its twin, “Peak 1727m, Taishir.” The routine was familiar: drive, park, a brief walk—so quick, if you blinked, you missed it. Next on the agenda? A well-deserved ice cream break in Taishir, before continuing our drive to Altai city, where we’ll take a well-earned rest.
Peak 1774m, Taishir
After scaling “Peak 1622m Jargalan,” our journey led us to the base of “Peak 1774m Taishir.” The shepherd’s trail made for an easy and brief ascent. The summit plateau, rugged with at least three subsummits vying for dominance, presented a puzzle. Rob, armed with a hand level, spent some time discerning the true high point,…
Peak 1622m, Jargalan
Descending the verdant slopes of Hasgat Khairkhan Uul, we set our sights on the next ultra-prominent peak, Bumbag Khairkhan Uul, preparing for a two-day trek. Along the way, the allure of lower peaks was too tempting to resist, and naturally, we discovered some. First up was “Peak 1633m Jeragalan”, where Rob confirmed a modest 50m…
Hasgat Khairkhan Uul
As the sun begins its descent, we inch closer to the base of the mountain, the road beneath us turning rougher, presenting a formidable challenge. Despite our eagerness to ascend, the lack of reliable internet service higher up compels us to backtrack slightly. Eventually, we discover an idyllic spot beside the now peaceful river, where…
Tariani Bogd
After spending the night in Bayankhongor, we hit the road towards the next ultra-prominent peak, yet the allure of Tariani Bogd, a mere 133-meter prominence bump close to the road, tempts us into a detour. Calling it a hike might be a stretch since we ambitiously attempt to drive to the top, but reality—and physics—soon…
Peak 2222m, Bayankhongor
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.
Peak 2085m, Bayankhongor
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.
Tergun Bogd
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…
Myangan Yamaat
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…
Myangan Yamaat – Attempt
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…
Ich-Tevsh-Ula
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….
Peak 1158, Bulgan
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…
Peak 1156, Bulgan
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…
Dund Sayhni Nuru
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…
Tsetseegün Uul
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….
Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
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…