First Report from Pik Lenin Expedition

We have a great group for Pik Lenin, and we had a good first day in the coun­try. We explored the city of Osh and viewed the most famous sights. First we hiked up Sulay­man Moun­tain, the only World Her­itage site in Kyr­gyzs­tan. The moun­tain has been a des­ti­na­tion for Mus­lim and pre-Mus­lim pil­grim­ages in this 3000 year old city. The moun­tain is sur­round­ed by leg­end and it is said that women who ascend the moun­tain and crawl through an open­ing in the holy rock will have healthy children. 

Sacred Sulay­man Moun­tain. Tino Vil­lanue­va photo

Next, we trav­eled to the Great Silk Road Bazaar, the largest, most crowd­ed out­door mar­ket in Cen­tral Asia. As ear­ly as the 8^th cen­tu­ry, Osh was known as a trade cen­ter along the Silk Road and con­nect­ed Cen­tral Asia to Kash­gar through the Alay Mountains.

Spices at the Great Silk Road Bazaar. Tino Vil­lanue­va photo

Osh is still a way sta­tion, con­nect­ing trade amongst the cen­tral Asian nations. How­ev­er, we have jour­neyed to find our own way over the moun­tain pass­es. Tomor­row we depart on a bus to Pik Lenin and our Base Camp for the climb of this 7000m giant. Stay tuned for our progress up the mountain.

The group at din­ner. Tino Vil­lanue­va photo

Moun­tains peek­ing out to the south. Tino Vil­lanue­va photo

~ MM Guide Tino Villanueva