When I heard the started to bark, I think I knew what was happening. It was pitch dark outside, so I had to wait until it got a bit darker around 5.30, then I literally shot out of the tent. Yes, our four-legged partner was gone. But he was still tied up to a rope and a metal spike. I knew he was heading back towrds Jyrgylan where we first had met Toru, our great horse partner of this trip.
It had poured down with rain all night, so it was muddy and wet, but after 15 minutes of running I saw him way of in the horizon. When I caught up with him, he looked very guilty. And was happy to see me. So I walked him back to camp, the girls were still sleeping, but people at the yurt who had allowed us to camp on their land, where up milking the horses. I saddled up Toru, and took a nice two hours of riding before I returned to all three girls and took them riding. They all loved it.
I am happy that I have spent a year riding in Patagonia back in 1997. most of the details how to deal with aa horse is still there. So is the love. It is such a great way to travel. But, believe me, hard work. Dealing with horses on Expedition is only for those who can work 24/7.
Again. our trip didn´t go as planned. We started with a great walk from Jyrgylan midday towards the lakes at Boz Uchuk, climbed up to 3200 meter´s through a great and stunningly beautiful valley. The heat was extreme and everybody was suffering. The ground was becoming very rocky and stoney, and Toru was not a horse used to carrying gear on the sides of his body, so it took a lot of work making him feel relaxed and content. He is a horse who is extremely nice. A perfect expedition horse. And very emotional. He needs a lot of love. Eventually we crossed a river and put up camp. Then disaster struck!
I think due to age and altitude, the pump for the MSR XGK broke and suddenly we couldn´t cook. Rain poured down and I was not very happy. It was a doing time since I was as tired like this and did some hollering and cursing. The previous time was somewhere in the Namibian desert two years back, when I was as tired.
The heat was on immediately next day and we didn´t leave camp until midday, because everyone was so tired. We had a lot of bread, trail food, sausage and cheese to keep us going for 4 days, according to my map we needed to cross the river again and head up over a hill. But too rocky. the girls did not want to cross the river again and get all their boots and socks soaking wet. Again. So we decided to return towards Jyrgylan and see if we could pass by yurtas, ask for hot water and camp and take this trip as yet another trial for the bigger trip next year.
The trips this time is all testing ground for next year. One major obstacle is this extreme heat. We didn’t expect it in the mountains, but it is a huge problem. And at altitude, you certainly feel it. So we are back in Karakol now for a few days of figuring things out and rest. Ah, people in the yurts were very helpful, we got our hot water and we returned back with most food. Again. We need to rethink the amounts.
It also turns out Alina and Eva are very similar. Artistic, like their own space, they think a lot and are very good at what they do. Dana is like me. She is good with the horse, works all the time and is already a tough adventurer at 12 years old.
It is a precious and wonderful time of the best quality. Do this with your kids parents!
