Heading to Mongolia this August... gear recommendations?

[bwanamrm]

I am traveling to Mongolia on the 16th of August to hunt Altai Ibex with several friends. The weather in Hovd shows 50's to 70's for the temperature range. If you have traveled there, what temps can I expect in the mountains? I am thinking the altitude may be different than the city. Light gear or heavy... trying to stay within internal flight weight restrictions. Thanks for your replies...

 

[LivingTheDream]

No but I am watching closely!!! I'm probably not too far behind you.

 

[Happy Myles]

Well broken in shoes with good support not too heavy. Light brown clothes as you wont see much green vegetation. I don’t recall really cold temperature. Be able to layer clothing. I used wool whipcord pants both trips and they were fine. I slept in yurts and they kept them warm burning dried yak and horse manure. Friendly people who may offer you home brew made from fermented mare’s milk. Not as tough country as the Pamir mountains. I always take herb tea bags and small packets of honey helps keeps me hydrated and an also a bit of energy. You should have a good trip and a different adventure. It has been several decades ago and i enjoyed Mongolia.

 

[eyedok]

Plenty of snacks, the food was kinda rough when i went, i think i lost about 15lbs

 

[Happy Myles]

Good suggestion eyedok. Second trip i took a box of health food bars. Food not to appealing for gringos.

 

[Hutch01]

Me and my hunting partner will be en route to Khovd from DFW 8/13 for ibex as well. We will be staying in UBT at Shangri La in and out.

 

[Phil Giordano]

Mongolia?
A 4 pieces 10' #10 and a bunch of Taimen streamers!

 

[Mark Audino]

Special place. You've got the mountain temps roughly right. Historically, except for high highs and low lows at the extremes, expect a good average of mid-60s to low-70s with 10-15 mph winds during days, with high 40s to low 50s at night. I will be dry. Best wishes.

 

[Surgeon1]

Hunted there twice in late 80’s Moral Stag and Ibex. It was a hell of adventur,
down vortex jacket was my best friend. In talking to those who offer these hunts now at DSC & SCI I think it’s likely much less ”wild and woolly“ now! But trust me it will be an adventure

 

[Fabnosh]

Reckon this should cover most eventualities - worked for centuries lol.

FN

 

[tracker12]

I was there in 1995 and had a wonderful trip. Was living in Korea and made the short 4 hour flight over to hunt when I got an invite from a Mongolian I met. As I recall the temps were like a late SEP Elk hunt in the Rockies. Could be cold in the morning with warming temps in the afternoon. I hunted in a Light weight vortex top with base and mid layer.

 

[bwanamrm]

Me and my hunting partner will be en route to Khovd from DFW 8/13 for ibex as well. We will be staying in UBT at Shangri La in and out.

Maybe we will run into each other somewhere... we probably won't be hard to spot!

 

[tracker12]

How was everyone hunt?

 

[Hutch01]

 

[Hutch01]

 

[Hutch01]

We had a great hunt. Logistics were well handled. Originally it was simply an ibex hunt, but Maral stag became an option. So after the ibex hunt we drove to another village and met with tribal leader and arranged a hunt in the mountain range they managed and chased elk for couple days and after passing on couple dozen bulls, managed the one atop the old Russian Jeep in the photo. Hutch

 

[bwanamrm]

Great hunt, wonderful country and friendly people. My group had a travel glitch and of the six hunters we only got two guns and four pieces of luggage between us. Shopped in a mall in Ulaan Batoor for boots and some gear and rustled up some rifles but they weren't topped with what we would consider quality optics. In fact we could get maybe 6 inch groups with two of the rifles and 3 inch group with the other one at 100 yards. Needless to say not confidence inspiring.

That said we saw some corker billies and I probably should have taken a shot at one at 150 yards on Day 3 but we were trying to get two out of the group and my partner's billy was behind a rock when the wind shifted. They blew out and that was that.

Got rifles on the evening before the last day and we all got billies the following day. Mine was less than average but took what I had a shot at... still a great trip and loved Mongolia. Would go back in a heartbeat. However I may try and fly a different airline if I return!

 

[Aaron N]

Congrats to all involved! I always enjoy reading about hunts that take place in some of the more irregular places