Photo Essay: The Mountains of Kyrgyzstan
Nomads still move through the steppe and mountain pastures of Central Asia, but just a few hours’ drive away, billions of dollars of oil and gas money have built extraordinary 21st-century cities, larger-than-life-sized golden statues, and ice palaces.
I arrived here two years ago, almost by accident. The snows came down unexpectedly early, I was snowed in, and what should have been a two-week transit became a permanent stay.
Kyrgzstan straddles the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Ninety-three percent of the country is mountainous, and a number of peaks are over 7,000m. Many have never been climbed, though Kyrgyzstan is gaining popularity as a mountaineering and trekking destination. Skiing is on the rise, but the resorts have not yet been developed. Now is the time to travel if you want to see the country before commercialization and mass tourism take hold.
1. Trees only grow below 4,000m, so much of the ranges is barren.
2. Horsemen lead a calf back to their herd.
3. The Tien Shan and Pamir ranges have exceptionally low population density — trekkers should be well-prepared and self-sufficient.
4. Millions of years of weathering has left killer rock formations for climbers.
5. Natural copper deposits in the rock turn some alpine waters bright turquoise.
6. Nomadic children playing with their dog on the “jailoo” (summer pasture).
7. Bright wildflowers growing on the “jailoo.”
8. Lake Karakul in Xinjiang, on the Chinese side of the Tien Shan range.
9. Glacier-fed river in Besh Tash (Five Rocks) National Park.
10. Roads are rarely paved but, with views like this, who cares.
11. Wild camping on the banks of Lake Song Kol.
12. Kyrgyz horsemen gather on the border with Tajikistan.
13. River-cut valleys reveal striation in the rock.
14. Opium poppies grow wild on the mountains’ slopes.
15. Aerial view of the Pamir Mountains.
16. Statue of a Kyrgyz horse — the ’spirit’ of the Kyrgyz people.
17. In the remotest areas, inaccessible to vehicles, a donkey is still a good means of transport.
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26 Comments... join the discussion!
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I have to echo JoAnna with “Wow!” Kyrgzstan has just been moved way up on my travel wish list. These photos are amazing.
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Oh man, those photos are beautiful. I feel restless just looking at them. Thanks so much for sharing them Sophie!
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Beautiful views of a part of the world I know nothing about. Thanks for this collection!
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Beautiful photos of one of the regions I’ve wanted to visit for a very long time. Thank you very much for sharing!
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Wow! Thanks for the glimpse of this amazing country!
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Gorgeous work!
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Stunning!
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Wow! Very very beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing!
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Stunning photos. I really want to get to Kyrgyzstan in the next few years. A couple of Dragons friends are there now putting together a backcountry ski community based tourism project in the Tian Shan range.
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DUDE — will you keep me in the loop on that trip? That sounds amazing.
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Yeah, it would be up your alley Ross. There’s a lot of fresh tracks in the Tian Shan mountains.
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This one? http://www.thekyrgyzstanplan.com/
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Yup, that’s the one. Ryan Koupal and Abrie Brutsche are rocking out up there. We’ll see if community based back-country expeditions can work as an alternative to the glitzy resorts.
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Tim,
Just check out that website for your buddies doing the backcountry skiing! Looks awesome. I need t find a way to get out there stat!
- allen
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Super photography. Bravo and thanks for sharing!
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Sophie Ibbotson:
I teach photojournalism here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This May 9-30, I am bringing eight journalism students–six photographers, one writer and one videographer–to Kyrgyzstan.
I’m looking contacts who could help our students–NGOs, Peace Corps, journalists and student journalists, drivers, guides and interpreters–and would help us be successful.
I have taken students to Kosovo and South Africa and you can view their work from the link below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you…
–
Check out our photo documentary project in Nebraska:
http://unlphotojournalism.blogspot.com/Look at our in-depth audio photo stories about Kosovo and South Africa:
http://www.unl.edu/photojournalism/Cheers,
Bruce Thorson, Associate Professor
College of Journalism and Mass Communications
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
234 Andersen Hall
200 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68588Office: 402-472-8279
Cell: 651-491-9344
Skype: profthor
AOL IM: profthorStudent-Run Picture Agency:
http://frontpageimages.com/College Web Site:
http://www.unl.edu/journalism/index.shtmlThorson Faculty Bio Page:
http://www.unl.edu/journalism/cojmc/about/bios/thorson.shtmlMy Pictures:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=6534↵ -
Sounds like an awesome project. Keep us posted!
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In-freaking-credible.
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Tim,
Keep me in the loop as well! That trip sounds rowdy!
Do they have a website or blog I can check out?
- Allen
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i just spent a few days near bishkek kyrgistan before heading to afghanistan, i had no idea how beautiful that country was until i got there. my next visit will be much longer
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where did you go in afghanistan? im heading out there in may and looking for inspiration!
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well so far ive been to ghazni, kandahar, and spin boldak, but im sure ill be visiting many more places
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I love seeing this article gain momentum. Central Asia is such an incredible part of the world!
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I am headed there on the 25th. I will be teaching English. Not sure exactly where yet. I am a Peace Corps volunteer. These pictures make me super excited. I’ll post this link on the Peace Corps facebook group of those headed to Kyrgyzstan.
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Rahmat which means thank you in kyrgyz for posting the pictures of my beloved country. I know these types of pictures would show people around the world the beauty of my country. I know my country is having problems right now, but we would overcome obstacles because we are strong and proud nation. Pls. do not be discourage by the recent events that were orchestrated by people that are hungry for the government seats, we would welcome you in our homes and offer the food, the most important thing that I love about my country. The food is organic; milk, bread, butter, and meat. I have learned to appreciate the kyrgyz food because I have traveled and compare many countries food and I still missed my homeland’s food. Welcome to my country.
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