July 31, 2017

Greg and Charlotte found some internet over the weekend so we finally have some photos!

All continues to go well in Mongolia. Some team members departed over the weekend while Greg and several others stuck around for the optional extension. On Saturday, the team enjoyed a drive across the countryside followed by a camel ride to their Ger (yurt) Camp.

Yesterday they toured Karakorum, the medieval capital of the Mongolian Empire. Some highlights include ruins from when the Chinese Min Dynasty leveled the city in the 1300’s as well as the Edene Zuu Monastery which was built in the 16th century. After the tour they’ll head to their second Ger Camp.

Tomorrow brings a drive to Khustai National Park, where in 1993, the last remaining horses called the “Przewalski horses” (“takhi” by the locals) were re-introduced to their original home.  This area is known as one of the most successful nature and wildlife preservation projects in Mongolia.  They will tour the preserve, then drive back to Ulaanbaatar for the night at a hotel.

In addition to the extension mentioned above, we’ve got a Gobi Desert private program in motion. Charlotte met them (and all their luggage!) in Ulaanbaatar over the weekend. They enjoyed a city tour yesterday and will load up here in a few hours for their flight to Dalanzadgag on the eastern flanks of the Gobi Desert. From there it’s a 75km jeep ride to their Ger Camp before an afternoon hike – that’s a full day!

Tye Chapman

 

 

July 28, 2017

—–Original Message—–
From: Greg Vernovage
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 8:11 AM
To: Tye Chapman, Eric Simonson
Subject: Fantastic Trip

Tye and Eric,

This has been an absolutely incredible trip!  We are wrapping things up in the Alti Range at Bayan Olgii tonight and will be flying back to Ulaanbataar in the morning.

Here are a few pictures with many more to come when I get back to the computer to download from the camera. Charlotte has also taken some great photos.

We had a great team meal tonight with a local Mongolian/Kazakh family. Local food in a traditional setting at the family Ger (yurt).  They ended the evening with music that blew us away!

There is so much for this team to share with everyone back home!

Stay tuned!

Greg Vernovage

(For more on Mongolian Eagle Hunters click here)

July 25, 2017

Greg called in with great news from Mt. Khuiten in far western Mongolia. Summit! The strategy mentioned yesterday paid off.  Absolutely perfect climbing conditions. It was “calm and clear for as far as the eye could see”. Their plan was to make their way to back to High Camp to load up the camels then continue on down to Base Camp so they could enjoy a rest day before heading back to Bayan Olgii and eventually Ulaanbaatar.

All smiles for this team!

Tye Chapman

July 24, 2017

Have you ever stood in three countries at one time? Me neither! Greg checked in this morning to report that he and his team called an audible and opted to climb nearby Nairandal Peak (13,714ft.). They were slated to climb Nairandal Peak after Mt. Khuiten, but given the forecast and the visible wind/precip on Mt. Khuiten it made a ton of sense to swap the climbs, saving the taller of the two for today. Greg reported that it was a great climb. Rolling glacier travel followed by a summit that shares the border with Russia to the north and China to the south, pretty cool stuff.

When Greg called they were safely back in Mongolia at High Camp putting together a gameplan for Mt. Khuiten. Their plan is to wake up about 3am and take a look, and if the forecast holds true, they’ll put their boots on and give it a go. We’ll know more in a few hours.

All is well in Mongolia…and China…and Russia.

Tye Chapman