Our Lady of the Camels (2)

Baigalmaa (known as Baikal) Norjmaa is an adventurous young woman tackling her dream. Born and raised in Mongolia, she's underway on the trip of a lifetime to promote her nomadic culture. Imagine, following the old Silk Road in a camel caravan from Mongolia across thirteen countries to arrive in London in an estimated three years' time ... twelve thousand kilometers in a project called Steppes to the West. Baikal is no stranger to adventure; planning one of this magnitude does not faze her.

“I’ve been inspired by my people’s history and hope to be able to show Mongolia to the world."[1] True to her heritage, her entourage consists of anywhere up to a dozen Bactrian camels for the heavy work. Her human companions will likely shift and change with the passage of time.

From the website, Steppes to the West:

Both camels and humans face numerous obstacles including temperature extremes, dust, rain, snow and storms, and a variety of road conditions such as gravel, tar and rocky terrain. This will be challenging and sometimes daunting for the unshod four-legged, two-humped animals and their handlers. 

The Bactrian camel is the largest mammal in its native range and is the largest living camel. Shoulder height is from 180 to 230 cm (5.9 to 7.5 ft), head-and-body length is 225–350 cm (7.38–11.48 ft), and the tail length is 35–55 cm (14–22 in). At the top of the humps, the average height is 213 cm (6.99 ft). Body mass can range from 300 to 1,000 kg (660 to 2,200 lb), with males often being much larger and heavier than females. ... The camel is capable of carrying loads of up to 300kgs.

Obviously the camels are carrying a great deal of supplies, especially food, tents, and useful gear. The route has to ensure water and feed for the animals, supplemented by local kindnesses. It's a matter of being as highly organized as it's possible to be in often isolating circumstances. Since starting in November 2017, the team has already weathered a winter. Baikal says, "I'm Mongolian – I’m used to harsh weather. ... But even though it’s a huge challenge with crazy conditions, I’m still in my comfort zone. It’ll only get really interesting once I get outside of it.”[2]

The adventuress has received considerable press and supporters as a modern Mongolian warrior woman, certainly due to her photogenic qualities and media savvy. Sponsors would definitely be welcome. It's difficult to say where they are right now with their limited access to communications (but I believe they crossed into China this month). It's not exactly easy to keep updating the website and other promotions when full attention is needed to the project at hand. Crossing national borders also requires complicated paperwork and causes inevitable delays.

 

Besides the website which has a number of videos in the Media section, Steppes to the West is on Facebook and Instagram. Baikal's personal website is http://www.baigalmaabaikal.com/. Sputnick News.com (9 May 2018) has a good short video: https://sputniknews.com/videoclub/201805091064256491-mongolia-uk-camel-caravan/.

CamelDabble TravelBabble will check in from time to time. May the road rise up to meet you, Baikal! Or, as we say in other countries: trust in God but tie up your camel.

[1] Charlies Allenby, "The adventurer trekking from Mongolia to London by Camel," 22 March 2018, Huck (http://www.huckmagazine.com/ride/adventure-steppes-west-baigalmaa-norjmaa-trek-mongonlia-london-camel/).

[2] Ibid.

© 2018 Brenda Dougall Merriman