Kyrgyz Range (20-21.07.2013)

DSCN7719 cpy Cover photos 2013-07-17 23.49.48 I arrived in Bishkek very early in the morning. 2013-07-19 08.24.58 in a hotel of improvised modernity DSCN7690 After two days of consultation I went on a hike into the Ala-Archa National Park
DSCN7691 This vista is near the park entrance DSCN7692 where we can see a ski area! Find the lift line DSCN7694 Chad and I in the parking lot at the trail head DSCN7696 Just a little ways up the trail, I could've believed that I was in the Rockies
DSCN7697 thought the trail blazes were distinctly Swiss DSCN7698 The main valley, once glacial, stretches into the heart of the park DSCN7700 We head up a side valley DSCN7702 Our route will take up from L to R beneath the waterfall, up the moraine beneath the cliffs to a hut out of sight but roughly beneath the arrow
DSCN7703 Chad had arranged for a guide, as Chad was only out for the day while I was there for the weekend DSCN7706 Moraine DSCN7707 The trail was steep and not particularly well maintained DSCN7708 Getting near the top
DSCN7709 The hut comes into view DSCN7711 Water course DSCN7712 and lichen flecked rocks DSCN7714 The hut looks less and less good the closer one gets
DSCN7715 but it has quite a site! DSCN7716 This is the Crown, the highest mountain in the Park, as high as Mont-Blanc DSCN7717 and crags above the valley DSCN7718 Looking down on the hut from the path to the privy
DSCN7719 Seracs in the icefall above the hut DSCN7720 and lichens DSCN7721 Lichens provide color in a B&W landscape DSCN7722 The dormitory with very thin mattresses
DSCN7723 We needed to cook our own food as the hut wasn't equiped to provide meals DSCN7724 Cushion plant community DSCN7726 The next morning the guide and I hiked up a trail to an adjacent summit DSCN7728 I use the word "trail" advisedly...
DSCN7727 The weather was changing DSCN0001 so we climbed up to about 3600 m DSCN0002 Panorama 1 DSCN0003 Panorama 2
DSCN0004 Panorama 3 DSCN0005 Panorama 4 DSCN7729 Melt water lake on a debris covered glacier DSCN7730 I was told that this highest mountain is in fact a ski peak
DSCN7732 Here, thanks to Diamox! DSCN7734 The guide, who decided to renounce Ramadan fasting at least for the weekend! DSCN7735 Cushion plants and winding glacier DSCN7736 Couloirs and clouds
DSCN7737 Impressive summits DSCN7738 We started back down DSCN7739 Graupel started to fall DSCN7740 We got below the hut before it started to rain
DSCN7741 but then it did indeed rain, and well! DSCN7742 The guide, ever in high spirits 2013-07-21 18.26.57 My hotel room back in Bishkek rigged up to dry out my gear before the flight to Naryn