Talking in the Mountains

“Can’t we sit down and talk instead?” Dana asked me. “Anyway, it is too hot now.”

I agreed, and we sat down. We had climbed up to 2,812 meters. When we set off an hour earlier from camp, the target had been to get over 3,000 meters. The view in front of us was spectacular. Deep green gorges, fields of wildflowers, local cowboys herding brawling sheep, horses, and mooing cows back to their farms. We could see some of them from our place, white yurts dotted up a valley. It was a paradise view.

“Tell us about our families,” Dana asked, and Eva pitched in: “We want to know all the details.”

We sat talking for over an hour. The only reason we stopped was that it would be dark in an hour, and Alina might wonder where we were. She was guarding our camp below, located a kilometre from the not-too-impressive Kök Bel waterfall. We talked all the way down, and when we came into camp, pitched next to a stream, Alina said:

“They look happy!”

And this is why we are here. Talking about life and figuring out ways to deal with the road to growing up. And the hope is that we can do a sequel to the cycling film — still in edit — which has the working title, No Map For Growing Up.

Adapting to the Outdoors

The girls are used to the outdoor life. It is a very demanding life. We are still figuring out what kind of a journey we want to do this time. One thing we know already: we need help from a horse to carry our gear.

Two days ago, we left Karakol, driven by the co-producer of the film-to-be, Adilet Kharzoev, heading for a quite popular hiking base, Jyrgylan. At least one of our planned four journeys will start from here. This time, we wanted to try to climb over a 3,200-meter-high ridge and do a loop. But it took no more than one hour before we realised it is very difficult to film and carry a huge load. And it takes time to adapt to the outdoor life.

Our great team partner, Alina — one of the most talented young filmmakers in Kyrgyzstan — didn’t sleep many minutes the first night and had thoughts of returning that night to sleep in Jyrgylan. She froze every second of the night. All due to her poor sleeping bag, one of the type you buy at a gas station in a hurry. As always, the amazing 12-year-old Dana stepped in to lend her -40 °C sleeping bag. That gave Alina a great second night!

And that is very important for us, because we really like Alina. She is perfect. She is very intelligent, open, very social, hard-working, kind and respectful, a strong character and adapts to us easily. And the girls like her very much.

“The mountains are calling me,” she said after she went up to film and see the views. “But it is a hard life.”

The Weight of the Journey

Something happens to the girls outdoors. To me too! They become happier, laugh more, and really put in an amazing amount of work. I was kind of worried about Eva, because she has just cycled back and forth to school for the last two years as exercise, but she immediately showed she will do the hard work needed. And when we returned to Jyrgylan, the two of them just shot away from Alina and me like they carried nothing. But they did. Dana carries 14 kg like nothing. Her athleticism is amazing. Eva a couple of kilos lighter. But that is a lot for two such young people in a demanding terrain as it is and will be throughout the journey.

I carried 25 kg and that is way too much and gives me no energy to film. Alina also has too much right now. So — back to Karakol, rethink, wash all clothes and utensils, and rent a sleeping bag on top of the rucksack for Alina!

Looking Ahead

Life is good. Great people, great scenery, and every day is very motivating and interesting. Alina is also the one doing all the hustling with prices and places to stay. Without her, I would be poor.

Next is snowcapped mountains!