Gobi Desert: The Salt Flats

First race day. I got my ass kicked by the salt flats today. The struggle across 10K of thigh deep muck at altitude proved brutal for all. I lost my shoes twice and had to dig around for them, hiked in socks, and proceeded to the finish looking like I had survived a mud-wrestling contest. Needless to say the rest of the day was quite challenging. They said this was an easy to moderate day of racing. If that is true we are really in for it. We did 35K of mixed terrain today, with some very difficult climbing and descending. Tough day with a heavy pack. The highlight was seeing a bird's next right in the middle of the flats with three eggs in it. A bit of respite from an otherwise tough situation.



Day 1
Photo Courtesy Racing the Planet


Sorry for the brevity - I need to scrape the muck off my legs, clothes and pack and get ready for more tomorrow.



Salt flats...
Photo Courtesy of Racing the Planet


Back at you.

Terri