Defying Winter: Dared to Hike at -12C Temperature

It's not just an ordinary weekend for us as we tried ourselves to be daring. Yes. We dared ourselves to put on our winter clothes and climbing gears as we headed our way to Zaisan for a three-hour hike. 

The temperature's no way to get warmer but our bodies are crying for some action. Nah, fresh air is what we actually desire as the city has started to be in its haziest sense. Besides, our Kazakh friend wanted to celebrate her birthday in something like off beaten path and it actually just in time that we are aching for something peculiar before the temperature drop down to -20. And by that I mean a total hibernation for the whole season. 

Happy Birthday Mashka! :) 

This hike is much, much different from my previous hikes. Before you can wear just a couple of light top, shorts, a pair of running shoes and voila, you're done! But this time we have to put on more clothes to prevent ourselves from froze bites. And that means an extra bulk of weight that we have to carry. And by the way, you've got to invest a good hiking shoes so you won't lose footing especially on glazed spots. Believe me, this is absolutely important. So our full-gear for winter hike are all set: warmer, shirt/leggings, fleece jacket, wind stopper, hiking shoes, gloves and head warmer. Temperature check: -12degrees. Hot water in the bag, couple of tugriks* and we're ready to go.

The Vagabundus:

• Mashka - the birthday girl
• Batsuren - the mountaineer
• Dawa - the fashionista (will tell you why in a bit, this is so interesting!)
• Ate Nelly - the big sister
• Abby - the neophyte
• Jep - the hiker kuno (the pseudo hiker)

L-R: Mashka, Abby, Nelly, Batsuren and Dawa

We took  a taxi form our place (about 20-minute drive) and dropped off at Zaisan. I don't know exactly what that place is called, but as far as I know it is somewhere south of Zaisan Memorial. We took the central trail all the way up and reached the first plateau, headed to east until we reached the peak and have a tricky descent all the way down to the Zaisan valley. No trails at all. Just us, and the sun. And a bunch of prayers too.

Before reaching the first plateau

trying to enjoy the snow after a couple of stop overs

Upon reaching the first plateau

Ulaanbaatar from Zaisan Mountain

Heading our way for the second wave. My 2-kg shoes sucks. Ugh.

Few more steps and we're gonna reach the next peak. Woot!

Awesome sunset at peak #2

Trying to do a legendary snow angel but I didn't know sliding could be more fun

A pose at the final peak. We made it!

Dawa and Mashka from the peak

Dawa and her hiking "killing" shoes. And she flaunted it with grace.
Only Mongolians can do that. *fist bump!*

And this is what I mean by a tricky descent. Slide, Slide and Slide.

And the result? You've probably guess it.

We treated ourselves for a mexi-indian food after that long, tiring, pure, awesome goodness. Nothing beats a home-made fresh masala tea for our well-deserved rest as we recall our breathtaking experience through pictures from our phones. True enough, spontaneity of shooting scenes makes it easier if you have something handy. 

* tugriks - mongolian currency name
** some photos are taken by Ate Nelly