First time I read about a yak was in second or third grade. And now seeing one in its natural habitat.

I left the cows to themselves and the cows left me to myself…
This is Yol valley. One hikes up the valley which starts very wide and then becomes narrower and narrower till only two person can pass. Our goal is to reach the ice and go as far as we can…

We are yet to see a tree in the whole day. Like I had mentioned we were in the middle of nothingness. In fact we were very curious what were all those horses and cows and sheep and goat grazing on. Whatever it is, it cannot be more than a quarter inch long.

So, why a sign not to cut trees?

Found out from Sara that the sign is to tell people not to cut junipers in the area. Apparently, junipers grow here.

Which raises the inevitable question – do they make gin in Mongolia? 🙂

After lunch in our camp, we headed out for You Valley. We were to hike up the valley. The driver started on the dirt roads and then suddenly, in an inspired move, got off the dirt road and driving on just dirt. He knew what he was doing. All I was thinking was that if he is off from just a couple of degrees, we will be totally lost. But he did reach us to our destination!