Tien Shan: Starting…

Update from our snow leopard volunteer project to the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan

Reading the research report for last year’s Biosphere Expedition to Tien Shan reminded me of the importance of our research into snow leopards and the success of the 2022 expedition. I am looking forward to be returning to Tien Shan for the 2023 expedition, run in partnership with the conservation organisation NABU. The expedition start is fast approaching.

This is Roland, the expedition leader for group 1. I will be accompanied by Henry who will learn the ropes with group 1 and then take over as expedition leader for groups 2 and 3. Henry and I will be flying out to Kyrgyzstan soon to prepare for the expedition on the ground. We will join Taalai, our Kyrgyz expedition scientist, who also led the research on last year’s expedition, as well as some rangers from the NABU anti-poaching patrol and our new expedition cook, Azamat.

We are feeling ready. We have checked all the equipment, resupplying as needed. We have replaced the yurt and tents that were spectacularly destroyed by the storm at base camp last year. Other new equipment and supplies have been bought in Kyrgyzstan and in the UK: Henry and I will be travelling with large bags. We will set up base camp next week, ready for the arrival of group 1 on 10 July.

For those of you who are coming out this year, I hope you are as excited about the expedition as I am. If the expedition is like last year, it will be rewarding, memorable – and hard work! Get ready for good days with a lot of walking in the hills.

Some reminders:

> Study the kit list in your dossier and make sure you have all the essential items on it

> Trekking poles are also very useful; collapsible ones especially so

> Make sure you read at least the abstract of the 2022 report; it’s a good idea to also read the 2022 diary, or at least the round-up

> Make sure you bring a copy of the field guide with you

More diary entries to follow before then. In the meantime, here are some photos from last years’ expedition, to whet your appetite.

Update from our Kyrgyzstan expedition to the Tien Shan mountains, volunteering in snow leopard conservation.