Mongolia | Töv Aimag | Asralt Khairkhan Uul

As the Gregorian Calendar Year of 2009 mercifully drew to a close I began reminiscing about highlights of the past twelve months. Unable to think of any, my thoughts soon turned to the horse trip I did last August to Asralt Khairkhan Uul, the highest peak in the Khentii Range north of Ulaan Baatar. We drove out to near the village of Möngönmort in Töv Aimag where my pal Zevgee lives and began the horse trip from there. I have already done Ten Horse and Camel Trips with Zevgee in the last twelve years. This would be the eleventh.

Zevgee with his grandson Tsegüün, the latest addition to his considerable brood. Back in October I had attended the Wedding Celebration of Zegvee’s youngest daughter Otgoo, mother of little Tsegüün.

Zevgee sorting out the gear for the trip

Not satisfied with the pace of packing up the gear, Camp Boss Enkha barks out orders to Zevgee and the other horsemen.

Prodded by Enkha, Zevgee’s grandson prepares the mutton for our trip.

Enkha quite pleased with herself after whipping Zevgee and the other guys into shape.

Zevgee giving our mutton a slight smoking at our first night’s camp

Enkha demonstrating that she is not only just another pretty face; she also knows how to cook.

Our group at Biren Buren Pass, the Continental Divide of Inner Asia. East of here drains into the Kherlen River, in the Pacific Ocean Watershed, and west of here into the Tuul River, in the Arctic Ocean watershed.

Crossing the Tuul River

Enkha braving a new dawn. She is not a morning person.

Riding up the valley of the Khiidiin Gol towards 8,474-foot Khiidiin Saridgiin Uul. Near the middle of photo, in the forest, are the ruins of Saridgiin Khiid, the monastery founded by Zanabazar, the First Bogd Gegeen of Mongolia.

Zevgee in a meditative mood

Enkha recalling some pleasurable moment

After four days of riding we reached the base of Asralt Khairkhan, highest peak in the Khentiis.

Approaching the flat-topped peak of Asralt Khairkhan

Another view of Asralt Khairkhan

We left our horses in the trees at the base of the mountain and climbed to the summit on foot.

Ovoos on the flat summit of the mountain

The main ovoo at the very summit of the peak

According to Mongolian scholars N. Bazargür and N. Enkhbayar, Asralt Khairkhan is one the three peaks in the Khentii Mountains which were known by the name Burkhan Khaldun. This Burkhan Khaldun—Asralt Khairkhan—was considered sacred by the Kerait people who were centered in the valley of the Tuul River during the twelfth century. The other two Burkhan Khalduns were Erdene Uul bordering the valley of the upper Kherlen Gol and Khentii Khan Uul.

Zevgee’s grandson and son and Enkha at the summit

Zevgee and his wife Tümen Ölzii at the summit. Zevgee is seventy-two; his wife is sixty-seven. Climbing this 9,186-foot peak was quite an accomplishment for both of them.

From Zevgee’s ger to the mountain and back was about 124 miles by horse, which took us a total of eight days, some of them only half days of riding. For more information and detailed instructions for reaching the mountain see Asralt Khairkhan Uul.