OMG

Until this last trip, my only experience in the desert was throughout the southwest US.  And there, my immediate and recurring attraction to such an environment has always been the natural separation from the "real" world.  The complete loss of industrial timescales, a sense of place within the order of your surroundings and the fantastical perceptions thereof; driven by heat, exertion/dehydration, silence, sun and, of course, dramatic natural landscapes... (Chemicals need not be included).  The Gobi has proved to fulfill all those attributes, multiplied twice over.

We began in an area on the southeast side of Zuun Bogd Uul (East King Mountain).  We were searching for a reported occurrence of Bitumen (Dead oil) trapped in a Cretaceous lava flow... (oil in volcanics, as you might imagine, is quite uncommon).  We did find something that appeared to fill old gas vesicles in the basalt with a black plastic luster and concoidal fracturing (maybe gilsonite would be a better term).  But, it is very very hard (Bitumen should be at least quasi pliable) and not affected by attempts to heat it over a flame...  However, it was the only thing in the reported area that even closely resembled an organic origin. Such is the way of field checking old work, never know what you'll find, more detailed testing of the samples is yet to be done, confirming/denying the organic origin.  

The Eastern King

This little guy is happily posing for a photo in the sun and by chance offering scale
for one of these "bitumen" occurrences (just right of his left arm).  I'll also note
that Brando has taken a wild fascination in these animals... and while they are quick,
he is quite good at catching them.

Brando, packin' samples... :))

From there we headed off to walk some of the sedimentary section and  look for organic source rocks of the oil we'll be exploring.

Top, Zia (Mongolian Geologist/guide) and I; Bottom, Me and Dashka (driver/cook/mechanic/Dog spoiler)
He fed Brando so much mutton and beef I barely used any dog food the whole trip...

Pictures are worth a thousand words I hear:

Admire the similarity... (Sorry for the structure pun)

All deserts have water, this is a nice obstacle to try and cross in a Land Cruiser...

B-dog sniffin out a potential source rock

B-dog sniffin out a lil'...well, you get the joke. lol

Drinking water anyone?

Maybe not, on to the next well.

But where is the next well?  We went on to Zia's grandmother's ger to ask where a good drinking water well might be.  He had not visited her in over 3 years. This was my first experience at a true countryside family dwelling, unfortunately I was so focused on observing the surroundings and tasting the customary dairy treats offered to travelers, I didn't take any photos.  We got directions and handed off some apples and juice (things not found easily for them) and continued on.

To catalog the entirety of the past week would require more time and skill than I have.  I can only dream of what will be made of the much longer and detailed field sessions to come.  I am slowly building a Mongolian vocabulary, spending long hours in the field with a Mongolian is a good way to build that arsenal. Maybe by year's end I'll be able to order my own food or direct a taxi, but for now it's pointing at the menu pictures and walking long ways with my best friend.

Goodnight.