Off Soon to Mongolia
 

Yeah, I'm soon to be Ulan Bator bound. Good lord, it's going to be real, real cold and the wind will cut like a knife. Guess I'll have to wear an extra thick Aloha shirt. You'd think I could find a closer place for some mongolian barbeque. I hope my Ger is well heated!

Still, it will be a very unique adventure. The ancient realm of Genghis Khan has emerged from the dark shadow of Communism and is now open to the world. Heck, they even let crazy guy like me visit.

Plan to mix a little business with some sightseeing and scout out a possible gobi desert trek later in the year.

Anybody been here? Any suggestions for keeping warm or what to bring back?

There was a long post titled "I miss Mongolia" that you'll want to read. I've not been there, but I've talked with several people who have. It's a very interesting place to visit. My best recommendation for keeping warm is to visit at a different time of the year. ;-)

Yes, I've been. Trip report at www.wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 - Briefly, Mongolia. Take thermal underwear. My ger was a sauna for half an hour when the brazier was alight, and freezing at 4:00 in the morning. Similarly, I froze in the morning in Ulaan Baator, and was pretty warm in sunshine in the afternoon. That was late September, should be REALLY cold in March!

Have fun, and please report back.

We haven't been to Mongolia - but have been to the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (January a few years ago) and thats really cold! Layers are the best - we took 7 layers (it goes to -40 there), so definately thermals but also other Thinsulate materials, we found TK Maxx good and realtively cheap for this sort of clothing. We stated off in Shanghai and as we worked further south and it got warmer we arranged with the hotel that we post back some stuff to be stored there till we got back and that worked very well for us.

Hi

Well, delaying the trip is not an option so I'll layer up and try to survive the best I can. Stocked up on long underwear and sweaters.

It's thrilling to see a post on Mongolia.

I went in July of 2005. You might want to visit the Gobi now. It is mighty hot in July.

There is a fascinating golden eagle festival in October that also interests me. Mid-winter there may be some kind of camel fest going on.

If you do ride a horse and want to accelerate, I recall "Choo" was the word.

I liked Mongolia so much, I'm going back in June or July of 2009.

Keeping warm--layers and layers. I wouldn't even take the Aloha shirt. You could combine staying warm and bringing back souvenirs by purchasing some of the warm clothing they sell there.

I own a pair of battery operated socks to help keep feet warm. You might consider that if you'll be spending a lot of time outside.

The most memorable thing I brought back (besides lots of photos and a black embroidered sweater) was a gift I received from my guide of a couple dozen sheep ankle bones. We had played games, kind of like dice, with those kinds of bones at several gers.

I did declare them upon re-entering the US as animal parts but was waved through without trouble.

Here is a link to the report I did. The first part is about the Great Wall, which does not apply and the rest focuses on mostly outdoor
activities in warm weather. So don’t know how useful it will be.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34700041

Enjoy your trip!

Please tell us about it when you return.

SHould be fascinating! A chinese colleague on my last visit was awaiting news of becoming an auntie. He sister is married to a mongolian man and they had a deal that if its a boy he would spend his summers in Mongolia with the family and travel with them in the summers. Not sure where or what the story was about his family but they were more Traditional or semi nomadic. UB looks a bit souless...curious about what it is like.