Uploads from Paul B Jones, tagged гэр, with geodata

Гэр - Ger Set Up - Two Support Pillars

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:31:19 -0700

Yondon from Nomadic Journeys stabilizes the ger’s two support pillars while the roof spokes are secured to the lattice walls with horsehair loops.

It's always very nice when the colour of your hat matches what you are doing!

Гэр - Ger Construction - Hub and Spokes

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:24:32 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Suur from our tour company Nomadic Journeys secures the ger’s internal frame. A heavy stone will be suspended from the rope descending from the hub - a dead weight to pull the ger into the ground and stabilize the structure in the strongest winds.

This photo was taken at our second Gerscape Camp, beside the Onon River in the vicinity of Ölziyt Hairhan.

Ger Interior

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:01:31 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

When fully assembled the ger (pronounced “gear”) is a comfortable, roomy and secure living space. This particular interior is from a permanent camp we stayed at early in the trip.

Mongolia Ger and Storm Front

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:57:13 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

As a storm cell passes rapidly by, Jodie van Dieen stands beside our ger in Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia. June and July (the time of our trip) are this dry country’s wettest months. While we encountered rain on a few days, it always came as brief showers and never interfered with our journey.

Toson Hulstai Toast

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:43:36 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

We did not rough it with our tour company Nomadic Journeys, even when setting our own camps out on the land. Every day we had hearty breakfasts, big lunches and delicious three course dinners. Here we toast to Mongolia, steppes, gazelles and friends at our Gerscape camp in Toson Hulstai. Our guide Agii is on the left, Axel Bräunlich is on the right.

Batjargal, Anand and Yondon - Gerscape Support Team

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:51:05 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Driver, Chef, Lead Hand

Nomadic Journeys - Batjargal and Anand

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:53:53 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

From June 22 to July 14, 2012 we explored Mongolia with our guide Axel Braunlich and the tour company Nomadic Journeys. We had a wonderful time in this beautiful and interesting country.

For the final nights of our tour we stayed in gers (yurts/tents) set up especially for us on the remote steppe wilderness. The logistics of this operation were fairly complex. Here our supply truck driver Batjargal and chef Anand stand for a photo against the backdrop of Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve.

Loading the Gerscape Truck

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:44:19 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

We spent three weeks in Mongolia. The first night we checked into a hotel immediately upon arrival in the capital city Ulaanbaatar.

The second and third nights were spent in regular nylon tents set out on the steppe. After that we mostly stayed at ger camps, permanently pitched canvas, felt and wood frame tents arranged around brick and mortar dining and shower buildings.

Near the end of our tour Nomadic Journeys arranged “Gerscapes” for four nights. These are gers set up and put down for just a few nights in remote locations. Under the tarp are the hub, spokes, lattice and canvas covers for two gers (yurts) plus cots, stoves, chairs, bedding and other camping supplies.

Building the Ger - The Door

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:28:05 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Placing the door is the first step in setting up a ger. It must always face south and it is not polite to step on the wooden threshold.

Also, you have to be careful not to bump into the low doorframe. This was a problem for the first few days of our trip but after a while we just got used to the annoying sound of our heads thudding against wood.

Гэр or Ger is the Mongolian word for Yurt; or more correctly, Yurt is the Russian word for Ger.

Our bird guide Axel Braunlich suggested taking this picture. It would not have occurred to me otherwise.

Suur

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:07:36 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Suur was the main driver on our trip across Mongolia with Nomadic Journeys. He was very skilled at navigating the endless, unsigned steppe and ensuring a smooth ride across often bumpy terrain. And we didn’t get stuck once, despite fording uncounted rivers and streams.

Beyond the practical, he is just very pleasant company - relentlessly cheerful, frequently breaking into quiet and beautiful song, and good with the travelers, villagers and herders we met along the way.

Гэр - Assembling the Ger - Lattice Frame

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:43:26 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Three collapsible lattices constructed from wooden slates form the ger’s walls. After being unpacked and extended they are placed in a circle around the door. Then the central hub is raised on its two support pillars. It takes a little over an hour to set up a ger (closer to two if I help).

Ger Set Up - Final Wrap

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:13:25 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Yondon anchors the operation as fitted white canvas sheets are placed on the frame and secured tightly with horsehair rope by Suur and Batjargal - the final step in assembling the ger.

This photo was taken at our second Gerscape Camp, beside the Onon River in the vicinity of Ölziyt Hairhan.

Гэр - Ger - Set Up Complete

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:07:02 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

Jodie van Dieen stands beside our ger in eastern Mongolia’s Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve. The fabric is lifted around the base of the structure revealing the lattice frame underneath. This allows a cooling breeze to flow through the ger and out the open top. At night and in bad weather the top and sides of the shelter are fastened down.

Ger and Axel Bräunlich

nobody@flickr.com (Paul B Jones) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:47:07 -0700

Paul B Jones posted a photo:

The storm has passed and bird guide Axel Bräunlich stands outside his ger in Mongolia’s Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve.