A layover day in the Aksu Valley was great and we all took an optional acclimatization hike to the back of the valley up to 12,000′. This, I did not like because it was 1-1/2 hours up through stones and scree (loose rock debris) on a ridge, followed by 1-1/2 hours down on the same terrain. Hikers without fear can run and slide down the scree without any problems. I happen to dislike scree intensely but Rob suggested I wear gloves in case of a butt plant to protect tearing up my hands. Great suggestion and by taking little snail steps, made it up and down intact. Back to camp at sunset for a well-deserved dinner.

The next day, we left the Aksu valley and crosssed the 14,264′ Aktubek Pass into the unspoiled and remote valley of Orto-Chashma. A very long, strenous day with more views of Iksender (16,896′), Alexander Blok (17,288′), Petrograd (17,037′) and the hanging glaciers of Aksu peak.

Sheila on the rocks in the Aksu Valley, Kyrgyzstan
A lunchtime stop at a large outcrop not far below the pass…and lunch was always the highlight of my day. Our cook made great salads…

lunch heading up to the Aktubek Pass in Kyrgyzstan
The horsemen were always there to lend support, needed badly by Angie and Margaret. Neither one was in shape for a trek like this and ended up riding the horses for almost the entire trip. Margaret (our “closure” lady) hadn’t even brought hiking boots and spent the time in running/tennis shoes. Doesn’t it make you wonder what they were thinking when they signed up? I watched even the sure-footed horses slip coming down a trail.

Margaret riding a horse down from Aktubek Pass in Kyrgyzstan
It took almost five hours to the pass and another two hours down. …View image… A very hard day that finally ended at camp beside the Orto-Chasma River in the high green meadows. Happiness is spotting the tents in the distance when it feels like you can’t put one more foot in front of the other… Bless our Kyrgyz crew.

camping in the Orto-Chasma Valley, Kyrgyzstan