May in the Gobi

So we returned from our first 8 day trip to the Gobi about a week ago.  Overall, Miranda and I both had an awesome time. Its amazing what a contrast the rest of Mongolia is to Ulaanbaatar. Towards the end of the trip, it was a little odd to think about going home (i.e. UB), back into the crazy city. I'll keep this post fairly short, and let the pictures explain themselves. Some of the pictures in this post use terms that you may or may not be familiar with, so be sure to click on the underlined hyperlinks if you are curious what certain words are referring to. 

The vast peneplain/desert pavement of the Gobi desert. Watch out if you have to pee here, no bushes for girls. 

Our first visitors leaving our camp. They pulled up on an enduro motorcycle which most countryside Mongolians seem to have, sat on their motorcycle with their small family packed on it, and just observed us for maybe 10 minutes. Its hard to know what they were thinking, but we shook their hands and got a smile out of them. Next time we will have candy to give the kids. 

Our first night in the Gobi was wonderfully calm, clear, and peaceful. This photo was taken at about 10pm.

One can imagine how great the stars look in a wide open desert, with the nearest large city hundreds of miles away.

Mongolia has a nickname as the country of blue skies (when they aren't filled with dust). Our Mongolian cook told us the Big Dipper is referred to as the "big spoon" in Mongolia.

The number of horses we saw in the Gobi was quite astounding.

Also, plenty of leftover remnants of past life.

Justin and I trying to figure out where the heck we are in a very flat, wide area with minimal features to recognize on a map. 

These guys are beautiful, I can't imagine what it takes to survive here. They could use a good brushing.

Our job involves a lot of "tuff" investigations and observations.

The key to our success is working in synchronization.

No explanation needed here - this little goat got too much sand. 

A lizard finding a nice resting spot on top of a dead camel in the sand. 

Andrew and Justin finding a dormant ger and herding area.

Although it may not be easily apparent, this herding corral is enclosed by a sandstone wall that is composed of sandstone blocks from the ground to 2 feet, and animal feces from 2 feet to eye level. Although these animal dung bricks make good wall material, they make even better fuel during the cold season for heating the ger.

We saw quite a bit of animal parts/pieces/whole bodies. Another reminder of the harshness of the Gobi Desert. 

Our 2nd camp for nights 3-4. Tonight would prove to be a very windy night. Miranda and I both woke up around 2 am wondering if our tent would be ripped off our heads or if perhaps it might just hold up. Nonetheless, our sleep was not so good that night. 

Our Mongolian drivers. 

Desert panorama

Brando is a happy camper once he realizes we really just want to make his feet feel better with his Vibram sole doggy boots. Before he had his doggy boots on, he could barely walk because he feet were dry and cracked. 

Getting ready to measure a stratigraphic section. 

This was a brief shot I captured during a break in the sandstorm. I did not dare take my camera out during the worst of it. At one point, Justin and I were able to lean back on the hillside we were hiking up and let the wind hold our bodies up.  "Did you know that exfoliation is a geological term?"

Traversing a slope looking at beautiful fluvial deposits. (Justin's photo)

I am happy that the wind has calmed down and its almost time to sit down and relax. (Justin's photo)

Ancient asymmetric fluvial ripples preserved in sandstone. 

Leaving our 2nd camp on the way towards Baga Bogd (a restraining bend mountain range).

The crew. Brando steals the spotlight. From left to right, Andrew, Mongolian driver, Mongolian driver, Miranda, Justin, Zula (Mongolian Cook), and Brando (the dog) in front. 

Stretching after a long morning of driving. 

Its beautiful here. 

Typical Mongolian countryside ger setup. Look Annie, solar panels! And a motorcycle!

Goats and more goats, even on the roof. Brando loves goats. 

The small village of Barunbayan at the foot of Baga Bogd (not visible in picture). 

Miranda and I were both very excited to spend some quality time with the camels, to see how close we could get to inspect their weird and quirky ways. Every time we saw a camel, Miranda would bust out in laughter. 

Sneaking up to the herd. So far they don't give a shit. 

No explanation needed. This guy is so ugly he's cute.

Note: the camel in the lower right is not dead, he's just sunning himself and rolling around like a dog. 

This one has a nose piercing. Maybe he's going through a rebellious stage. 

A view from the top of a small mountain on a late afternoon hike. 

Miranda looking at phenocrysts (crystals) in volcanic tuff. She likes shiny things. 

Miranda, Justin and Brando. 

Scoping the next day's work. 

Our day 6 camp. 

Zula, Miranda, Justin and Brando hangin out at dinner. 

Driving up the enormous Alluvial Fan on the way to Baga Bogd.

Driving down the gigantic terrace to the valley floor. 

The ridge in center-right is what we will be climbing up in the morning to reach the summit of Baga Bogd. 

A ger circle near our last campsite of the trip. 

Goats and rocks.

Our route. Miranda and Zula's trip was 7 miles roundtrip with roughly 4,000' of elevation gain/loss. Jusitn and I's route was rougly 11 miles round trip with 6,000' of elevation gain/loss. What a day. 

Trying to gain the ridge, we encountered numerous grassy steps that helped us stair step our way up. 

Where's Waldo?

Zula, the camp cook, taking a break. This was the highest mountain he had ever climbed in his life. 

Miranda at the summit. 

Zula performing a milk offering. 

Zula giving a food offering at an Ovoo.

Justin and Brando hiking along the ridge. Even though we started at 630 am and it was already 11am, we still had to make it to the peak in the far distance (Baga Bogd). 

Brando loves snow, especially when his paws are beat to hell. 

On top of Baga Bogd. 

(Justin's photo)

Water flowing on top of ice. 

Brando reluctantly walking to the edge of the ice channel. 

Walking in the ice channel. 

A Mongolian monument dedicated to horses.