SITREP 1 – 8 JULY

In warm sunshine, expedition has assembled in Ulaanbaatar. Alas some baggage lost on various airlines has meant replacing of essential items. We fly to Khovd on 9 July to establish first Base Camp on Buyant river. Ends

SITREP 2 – 9 JULY

Team plus Mongolian scientists now camped near Khovd. Weather warm and dry, mosquitoes troublesome. Watching Nadaam festival today and move to study cave paintings tomorrow. Ends

SITREP 3 – 13 JULY

After successful visit to Khovd Tsenkher cave, now at Camp 3 at Baatar Mountain. Horse mounted teams carrying out scientific programs. Botanical study especially productive. Dental and medical clinics on 15 July. Weather - cold nights, warm days, showers. Ends

SITREP 4 – 19 JULY

Riding phase completed with successful scientific results especially with archaeological discoveries. Weather has been cold with strong winds. Horses were spirited and tough. Communication by email difficult. All well. Now seeking saiga antelope. Ends

SITREP 5 – 21 July

Sighted over 100 Saiga antelope. Weather varied. Cold with strong wind one moment, then boiling hot sunshine. Now in Khovd and fly to UB tomorrow prior to studying Prezwalski horses at Hussain. Ends

SITREP 6 – 25 July

After successfully sighting 57 Prezwalski horses, 80 Red deer and 170 different plants, the expedition is now in Ulaan Baatar. The wild horses delighted us by “parading” across our front allowing photographers within 50m of these splendid beasts. Overall, we have listed 59 types of birds, 19 species of mammals and 80 species of vertebrates. The medical and dental clinics and the distribution of reading glasses and school books have been greatly appreciated. The expedition ended with our usual Burns supper and a good supply of Stahlys haggis and J&B. Reeling and singing with the Mongolians went on into the early hours. This night we shall attend a farewell dinner with our agent Great Genghis expeditions to celebrate our mission accomplished. Ends