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Destinations > Mongolian G4 Recce
Mongolian G4 Recce
You'd need to fly to get the same panoramic view, so it feels odd to get the same sense of expansive earth while driving. Sure, Australia has the space too, but there's always a shimmering heatwave in the outback, or vegetation blocking the view. Mongolia doesn't have much in the way of trees where we travelled, because while we enjoyed a pleasant 25-35 degrees during our stay, it drops to a rather uncomfortable -30 or lower during winter. Hence, there's mostly just grass and it's not a place for the agoraphobic. But for those that appreciate natural beauty, it's 1500m plus closer to heaven. Imagine driving across the sea and you start to get the idea.
Mongolia isn't just prairie land though, there's a fair amount of the usual geographic features like mountains, rivers and gorges. The mountain ranges look (and this should be read as a distinct positive) so sharply defined it's like they were computer generated and projected onto your retina. One of the campsites we stayed at has to be one of the finest in which I've pitched a tent. Imagine an expanse of sheer green gently sloping downhill, next to pristine mountain ranges, which are briefly parted by a dry riverbed snaking out and away, to quite possibly infinity. Sheer magic. Australia is no less beautiful, but it's a different kind of beauty, a harsher, redder, more apparently ancient beauty than the expansively clean, sparse elegance of Mongolia. Put it this way, if you love Australia's scenery you'll be awed by Mongolia.
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Why Mongolia? Because the team wanted somewhere well and truly remote, away from tourists, but with enough variation for all the activities that make up the G4. Well, they chose well. We did not see a single tourist for our entire drive, just the locals who'd bowl up when we camped, offering gifts. If you want to feel like a real explorer, try Mongolia - it's the world's most sparsely populated nation and feels like it.
Navigation is actually quite easy as although the maps aren't accurate you just enter the coordinates on a GPS receiver and spear off down a likely looking track, and if that veers off, take another one when you can. Competitors will need to be doing this, and they'll have new Land Rovers in which to do it. The roads are easy to drive, certainly very little need for low range or wheel placement, but they're interesting enough and ideal for a touring journey.
Aside from navigating from place to place, competitors will also be tasked with a number of adventure trials, and we had a chance to sample a few. Dune boarding is snowboarding but on the sand, and it's about as easy. I gave it a shot and actually managed a perfect stance first time. Just a pity I only achieved it while inverted during the first of two major barrel rolls. Good sport though, even if climbing the dune for another go isn't. In a similar vein there is mountain boarding; an oversize skateboard with mud tyres. The inevitable pain factor after the inevitable fall restricted enjoyment, but still a blast.
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Mongolia isn't just prairie land though, there's a fair amount of the usual geographic features like mountains, rivers and gorges. The mountain ranges look (and this should be read as a distinct positive) so sharply defined it's like they were computer generated and projected onto your retina. One of the campsites we stayed at has to be one of the finest in which I've pitched a tent. Imagine an expanse of sheer green gently sloping downhill, next to pristine mountain ranges, which are briefly parted by a dry riverbed snaking out and away, to quite possibly infinity. Sheer magic. Australia is no less beautiful, but it's a different kind of beauty, a harsher, redder, more apparently ancient beauty than the expansively clean, sparse elegance of Mongolia. Put it this way, if you love Australia's scenery you'll be awed by Mongolia.
read on below advertisement
Why Mongolia? Because the team wanted somewhere well and truly remote, away from tourists, but with enough variation for all the activities that make up the G4. Well, they chose well. We did not see a single tourist for our entire drive, just the locals who'd bowl up when we camped, offering gifts. If you want to feel like a real explorer, try Mongolia - it's the world's most sparsely populated nation and feels like it.
Navigation is actually quite easy as although the maps aren't accurate you just enter the coordinates on a GPS receiver and spear off down a likely looking track, and if that veers off, take another one when you can. Competitors will need to be doing this, and they'll have new Land Rovers in which to do it. The roads are easy to drive, certainly very little need for low range or wheel placement, but they're interesting enough and ideal for a touring journey.
Aside from navigating from place to place, competitors will also be tasked with a number of adventure trials, and we had a chance to sample a few. Dune boarding is snowboarding but on the sand, and it's about as easy. I gave it a shot and actually managed a perfect stance first time. Just a pity I only achieved it while inverted during the first of two major barrel rolls. Good sport though, even if climbing the dune for another go isn't. In a similar vein there is mountain boarding; an oversize skateboard with mud tyres. The inevitable pain factor after the inevitable fall restricted enjoyment, but still a blast.
next page »
