Hiking – almost like Austria or Switzerland

One of those mornings you don't really fancy. Wild camping at approximately 2000 meters, windy, cold and when the breakfast was about ready the rain came. Mikkel was on the cook team and were trying to do pancakes. We were told to be ready for an early departure so the truck was ready and we left at 8. Cold and wet.

A few stops on the way to look for some bread and milk to stock up supplies on the truck and then we drove for about two hours.

When we stopped in the small town it was still raining, black clouds coming over the mountains so half the group decided to stay in the truck while the other half (us) went for a hike with our guide. Up the side streets and into a small gorge, following a small stream. Then the rain stopped, the clouds opened up and the scenery became more and more beautiful, looking a lot like Austria or Switzerland, until finally the sun peeked through the clouds. And suddenly we had way too much clothes on, so the backpack was full on the way down. We hiked for about three hours before being back at the truck.

Only a short drive until our next camp site in Kökömeren Gorge. In a gorge with beautiful red mountain sides reflecting the colours of the sun. We found a place to set up camp a bit away from the river but still close enough to hear the roar of the water as it passed.

Late lunch and then some time for relaxing. A couple of local sheep farmers had a shed right next to our camp so during the evening they brought the sheep in. A bit of entertainment for us before lunch. Enjoyed the scenery as the sun set in the other end of the valley. The cook team also did pancakes for dessert so we enjoyed them while the sky got darker and the stars began to appear. The two local sheep farmers joined our campfire in the evening. Today is a national holiday Victory day in Kyrgyzstan where everybody is normally together with their families so they were glad to have some company as well. What a great finish to a day that started a bit to the wrong side.

Enjoying the afternoon

Sheperds riding through our campsite (their land)

Sheep next to our campsite

Dinner

Crossing a mountain pass to get to our next wild camp

Early morning breakfast at the reservoir. The wind had changed direction so the water was cleaner. A few guys used the opportunity to have a very cold morning swim. We didn't.

First stop today was at a mountain pass. Driving primarily uphill for the first two hours to the top of the mountain pass at some 3150 meters. The truck really struggling. The last kilometres the snow started to appear bringing back memories from our mountain pass crossings in Georgia. A short photo stop at the top of Ala-Bel mountain pass and then we headed downhill. Lunch stop at a gas station and then a ten minute drive before we set up evening camp a Suusamyr Valley.

Mikkel was doing dinner with the cook group – veggie meal for a change – and then banana flambé using the dodgy president brandy from Turkmenistan. How many countries can you find a bottle of booze with a picture of the president??? Good show for the group and some nice slow motion shots by Nico. Used the remaining part of the brandy to toast with most of the guys hanging out at the fireplace. Mostly toasts to all the great achievements of the Turkmenistan president involving a lot of toasts to buildings covered in white marble and of course to some of the important ministries including the ministry of ministries. We haven't forgotten our great experiences a few “stans” ago. What a great day.

Carl learning to make scrambled eggs

Mountain pass - snow again

Lunch break

Good coffee at a gas station

Owen showing us the map and our route

Swimming and digging out the truck

Left Arslan-bob after breakfast. Going down the same bumpy road we came up the other day. Blue sky and sunshine and a bit more energy to enjoy the scenery this time. Before lunch we stopped at a local market top shop for 3 days of wild camping. A bit chaotic when 25 persons enter a market with small stalls and have to come up with dishes for the next meals while trying to find which shops can provide which things. And then trying to squeeze in everything on the truck. But we managed.

Next stop was for lunch. Next to Toktogul reservoir. While the cook team prepared the food, Mikkel took a swim with some of the other guys. Water really clean and not too cold. Nice lunch and then Malene also had a swim.

More driving in the mountains before coming to the next big reservoir where we would camp for the night. Water level was really low a the reservoir so our driver decided to get the truck closer to the edge of the water – and got the truck stuck in some silt. Took about an hour to dig the truck out.

We enjoyed the scenery with the mountains and the water while sharing our two liter beer with Nico and Marine. A lot of froth since we drank the beer from the green plastic truck mugs. And so we came up with the concept of pivacino. The expensive way to drink beer of course.

Had dinner at sunset, the camp fire was lit and then we enjoyed the beautiful evening while looking at the thunderstorm in the horizon.

Going to the market to shop for food for the next days

Sharing the road with the cows, sheep and donkeys

Tough to be a driver

Beautiful lunch stop

Sherperd - signaling a herd

Michael and Mikkel

Campsite - truck got stuck in soft sand

Marine and Malene

Nico

David