Category: Tien Shan 2026

Update from our snow leopard volunteer expedition to the Tien Shan mountains

We have arrived and spent the last two days training our snow leopard volunteers from six countries. Training involves everything from safety in the mountains, looking after the expedition 4x4s and how to drive them off road, camp tasks and etiquette, and of course all the science: What to look out for, how to collect data, how to set camera traps. And the equipment: Compass, map, GPS, radio, camera traps etc. etc.

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Update from our snow leopard volunteering expedition to the Tien Shan mountains

This is a quick update from the field to let you know that the staff team has officially arrived in the Tien Shan mountains. We have spent the last few days working hard to establish our base camp, navigating some pretty foul weather in the process. With heavy skies, wind and rain testing our gear, the camp is now almost fully functional and ready for the weeks ahead.

Given the current conditions, please make sure you come prepared for true mountain weather. High-altitude environments can be highly unpredictable, so ensuring your layers, waterproofs and sturdy boots are packed and easily accessible is essential.

Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard expedition 2026: Base camp set”

Update from our snow leopard volunteering expedition to the Tien Shan mountains

The journey has officially begun! I touched down in Central Asia a couple of days ago for our latest research season. If you are looking into the realities of snow leopard volunteering, let me tell you: The expedition starts long before you set foot in the mountains.

My transit through Istanbul provided a swift reminder of the logistics involved in remote conservation work. Due to a self-transfer flight booking, I had to manually retrieve and recheck my bags. Take it from me: avoid self-transfers at all costs when travelling for fieldwork, especially when you are hauling 30 kg of heavy expedition kit and scientific equipment!

Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard expedition 2026: Shopping madness”

Update from our snow leopard conservation expedition to the Tien Shan mountains

Our behind-the-scenes preparation for this year’s Kyrgyzstan snow leopard conservation expedition has been going for months. It now enters the final phase. As our citizen scientists finalise checklists and pack their gear, so are we.

Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard expedition 2026: Preparing to track the mountain ghost”