Day Eight 05.08.2012 Khogno Khan Nature Reserve

Our drive to Khogno Khan is again made interesting by water hazards.  Our first stop is at some giant boulders which overlook the surrounding valley and the foothills, which are our destination.  Turuu is again concerned about the coming weather – there is storm activity and low cloud all around us – so again the decision is made that we won’t camp in a hidden valley near a small working temple, as planned.

We visit the temple, where there are only a few working monks, and set off of a walk up into the hills where the ruins of a monastery await.  Weather is OK when we set off and we have but a very short time to explore before the first drops of rain fall.  Graeme decides to return to the trucks and the plan is for the rest of the party to walk up to a saddle which will take us across to the next valley where Turuu and Sandag will be waiting.

Before we quite reach the top of the pass, the rain is quite heavy.  Thunder and lightning make umbrellas not-an-option, and although most people have rainwear of some sort, we are soon very wet.  The going is wet and a bit slippery underfoot and we can hear water running down through the rocks as we make our way carefully into the valley.  The trucks are not immediately visible but soon Turuu comes around the corner, closely followed by Sandag and Graeme.  Much relief as we clamber into the trucks and make our way to yet another family ger camp owned by friends of Turuu and Jess.  The owners are away but their cousin is “house-sitting” and looking after the animals, so we are welcomed by this very jolly chap, Jess cooks dinner in the family ger and we eat at the girls’ “place.”  It is a very wet night but we are dry and warm.  I would not be forgiven is I didn’t mention this special toilet (Dug has the night off!) some way down the paddock, 3 sides corrugated iron about waist high, and using the traditional ‘2 planks’ design.  Doesn’t sound much – guess you had to be there!!

Monastery ruin

The "boys'" ger




Herd at The Boulders


 

Walk to Monastery ruins