Expedition Report
The aim of the team of four was to complete a fast, lightweight exploration of the remote Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan in late August and much of September. The plan was to make several 3-4 day excursions into the mountains around ‘Issyk Kul’ lake, the second largest high altitude lake in the world, thus taking in a large range of terrain and culture, and also allowing the team of four to travel the whole way around the Lake.
The area, which encompasses high mountains, is rural, wild, and traditional, and is mainly documented by pre-1991 Russian military and local maps, which were acquired once the team had arrived in Bishkek, the Kyrgyzstan capital. Hiking trails are few and far between, and for each excursion the group planned to cover up to a 40km each day, and around 110km over 4 days, whilst carrying lightweight bags of provisions with a maximum load of around 8kg.
The hikes completed by the team included the Cholpon-Ata Tour, (distance 67km, involving a total elevation gain of 3,000m, and a total elevation loss of 3,000m), the Karakol Tour, (93.5km, 5,230m, 5,110m), which included Ala Kul Lake and its intense turquoise colour, the Barksoon-Torsor Pass Tour, (107km, 4,200m, 4,220m), and the SongKul Lake Tour, (105km, 1,680m, 1,680m). The group also summited Peak Uchitel, (4,640m), the highest point of the expedition.
The routes provided stunning views of valleys, lakes and snow-capped mountains, and also allowed opportunities to engage with the locals such as nomadic shepherds. The group also encountered herds of horses and were able to complete one trek on horseback. To reach various points in the expedition, the group had to endure travelling on poor roads. However they allowed time to explore Bishkek with its bazaars, as well as some historic sites.