A Day in the Gobi

This morning we set out to visit the sand dunes of the Gobi and climb the biggest of them all. Sometimes I think climbing a sand dune may be harder than a mountain. The slopes are smooth and aside from the ridges you almost have to definitely climb in switchbacks. There’s so solid rock as the sands are constantly shifting so you have to use your toes to dig in on the way up.

As usual I’m last to get there but at the same time I’m able to follow the tracks left by my group. Keeping careful balance and allowing my feet to sink into the sand, it truly as steady as she goes. Slowly but surely and a lot of mantras like I think I can from Dumbo.

The view from above is breathtaking as we take in the field of dunes ahead. It’s not as extensive as what I remember from the Sahara but still a sight to behold.

The way down is a lot more direct than I thought. I’d tried not to think about this on my way up considering the slope is probably about 45 degrees. You can’t really hurt yourself if you fall since it’s sand (except maybe short of a long tumble) but it’s still quite the slope. It straight down the face we went, this time digging in my heels in the soft sand to anchor myself and following in footsteps once again.

My progress is still slow but a lot steadier heading down. Balance is still an issue but all’s well at the end. Looking back it’s still a wonder to know we had made it up.

We then visited a 2 hump camel raising nomad family. It was very humbling to be in their ger with grandma, the parents and a young child. The mom was making the noodles for tsuivan (a typical Mongolian noodle dish) and it was cool to see her cut through layers of dough to make the noodles.

We learned a bit about their lives. Their need for a well, the meaning of the design of the ger to even entertainment. They go into the village every two weeks for supplies but aside from that are in their own aside of what they made ask neighbours to get when they go to town. It’s a lifestyle I could never be used to and makes me feel how tough they are to live in these conditions.

One interesting contrast observed was the use of cell phones in these times. The lady had a few calls while we were there. Without them, I could feel like we slipped into the past, but alas we’re firmly held in the present by the presence of smart phones.

The afternoon was a break at the camp to recover from the hike and just enjoy the scenery of the dunes before us. The winds picked up and it became better to stay indoors.

Before dinner we visited another spot along the belt of dunes, this time where a small river flowed, providing green ‘grass’ for horses to feed, a surprise at the edge of the desert. I was hoping to visit the spot where sand dunes meet the dark mountains to hear the singing sands, but I suppose if you focus, you might hear a whisper. Climbing one dune a day is enough for me and I’m not sure our van could take on that off roading. Czytaj więcej