5/9

Fuck it.

I'm a plunk down here. Nice enough spot. Besides my body's destroyed. Wet shoes worked a number on me feet. I knew I shoulda got a new shoelace back in UB. My ankle is bummin! Seriously! What's more my hips are feeling the burn from the hip belt on my pack. I think it was built for someone with a longer torso than me. I probably packed it too heavy as well.

The last three hours of hiking proved to be badass! After my rest on the hillock I found no more fences. I shambled along high ground hugging the shore. This was more larch forest with a rich forest loam padding my footfalls. Soon after the larch cleared and more tussocks emerged. No dastardly puddles this time, just uneven ground. I followed them down to the shore, this time a proper beach complete with skipping stones. No water to skip on. Only ice. Just as well. I can't skip stones fo' shit. I caught a glimpse of the expanse of the lake. D-damn! It's huge! Now I really want to come back in the summer. It would be nice to take a canoe out. Drink directly from the middle.

My water supply is running low. I was hoping to come across feeder streams into the lake but no such luck. Perhaps it's too early yet. Khuvsguul is like back in time two weeks. Further ahead more tussocks. Big puddles this time, but big mounds too. Less risky. I contemplated filter pumping from these deep pools. Maybe too dangerous. Still water. Besides there's horse shit everywhere. Who knows what contagion they contain.

Ahead the lake takes a bend and soldiers on amid more promising hillocks. I promise to make it that far. I begin to climb along with my northbound progress. The hillocks ahead looked like a steep climb from the shore. Don't want to get stuck with an impossible jaunt. At this point my ankles are starting to give and my hips are screaming at me. Snow is soaking my inadequate shoes. Must take the ridge.

Eventually I come across a bare slope from ridge to shore. With the last of my strength I haul ass to the top. Outlandish. Perfect view. I've decided this is where I'll stay.

I stripped down to B-day suit and lay in the sun until mountain breeze cooled me off. Change of plans. Rest up for days remainder. Rest up tomorrow. Get them ankles back into shape. Dry out them shoes. Change clothes. Plan B says this is as far north as I venture. Easy does it walk the ridge back to Khatgal. No need to kill myself. Besides the lake looks better from this vantage. No blasted tussocks on the ridge. Alugnut!