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Gobi March Blogs 2024
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PostsGobi March (2024) blog posts from James Crowe
29 June 2024 08:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
My friend Ivan and I were sitting in the sun, at the last camp, and chatting about life as one does here. He said simply “This is paradise.” And I noticed it more. We were in it together. We’re pitched on the side of the Orkhon River, underneath a short peak, at the end of the UNESCO treasure Orkhon Valley through which we just ran, through stunning mountain wilderness, the site of the battle grounds of Genghis Khan. There are short trees surrounding the camp, and a breeze blows intermittently. The sun is shining. We’re all feeling good about the day and the week, as we near the end of the party. Eating the last day meal, and feeling oneness as a group.
28 June 2024 07:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
Comments: Total (1) comments
Howard White
Posted On: 28 Jun 2024 12:52 pm
27 June 2024 11:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
Some of us visited some families living nearby, the race organized some cars to move us across the sodden muddy floor of the steppes to places where individual families had sites their two yurts. There are de facto road paths, but in fact you can drive anywhere you want. A joke went around the car that there are no police or traffic lights here.
Apparently the land is free to settle, and typically families will site and move their yurt and animals 2-4 times a year, especially toggling winter/summer.
These are multigenerational households, with children or teenagers, and the matriarch and patriarch. The families were all dressed in traditional wear, and they received us graciously. At one, we visited inside a yurt, which was cozy and comfortable, with some beds, textiles, simple orange or red cabinets, one of which had a portrait of a prized horse, and another with family photos. The centres hosted a small metal stove. The soft walls are essentially wood felt, with latticed wood struts. The center is a decorated skylight of sorts. The light is soft. The floor is essentially a sheet of vinyl flooring with the pattern of wood flooring. The woman of the house served us what seemed like a dry bread, with some yellow yoghurt on it. Ok, this is organic all natural no preservatives yoghurt. There are goats, cows, sheep out here, so I wasn’t clear on that milk source.
Comments: Total (1) comments
Frances Sakowicz
Posted On: 28 Jun 2024 07:06 am
27 June 2024 08:50 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
There is a sweet spirit in our camp. Everyone is just happy to be here, in this place, with each other, on a day of pause. The camp is pitched on the banks of a beautiful river, with horses nearby, and birds of prey circling above. There was a hard rain in the afternoon, and I slept in the tent with the pleasant white noise of the driving rain for 2 hours. A needed rest. I awoke gently to Mongolian music wafting over the camp, from a mobile sound system.
27 June 2024 12:20 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
It’s Thursday, so, the Long March is over, and we’re taking a breath. The last competitor just came over the line in cold rain at nearly 27 hours on course at 10:45 am. We all gathered to cheer.
Comments: Total (2) comments
Howard White
Posted On: 27 Jun 2024 02:35 pm
H C
Posted On: 27 Jun 2024 06:39 am
27 June 2024 09:15 am (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
I finished the long march. I’m healthy, and in good spirits. Thanks for all the messages. It’s 1:45 am here, so, check with me tomorrow. I’ll fill in the details after I clean my feet, eat, and sleep!
Comments: Total (1) comments
Howard White
Posted On: 27 Jun 2024 01:02 pm
25 June 2024 08:40 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
Comments: Total (3) comments
Howard White
Posted On: 26 Jun 2024 12:04 pm
Sam Fanshawe
Posted On: 26 Jun 2024 09:00 am
Piyush M
Posted On: 26 Jun 2024 03:29 am
24 June 2024 06:30 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
Today was stage 2. I felt a bit stiff and tired this morning, we woke at 5, and had 3 hours to prepare for the day. I worked through everything methodically to make breakfast, eat, tape feet, repack, sunscreen. You wouldn’t think that takes 3 hours, but I was finally fully ready a minute before the start. Perfect!
23 June 2024 10:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar
Hi friends,
Comments: Total (2) comments
Daniel Caballeria
Posted On: 30 Jun 2024 12:37 am
Trina Baum
Posted On: 29 Jun 2024 02:26 am