Gobi March Blogs 2019

Jahnavi Aggarwal

6

Posts

Gobi March (2019) blog posts from Jahnavi Aggarwal

02 August 2019 10:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar

Hi Guys!!

Thank you all for your sweet sweet messages again! We’re at our last camp now. Today seemed quite easy after the long march and the rest day that followed.

Varun’s knees are much better today, thanks to the rest and proper walking with trekking poles (which we both learnt on this trip) a nice Korean man named Jesse absolutely insisted on taping up varun’s knees. Seems hes a distributer for said tape so hes marketing like mad here, however it’s very effective we all must get it. all that and some ibuprofen has helped v a lot.

Our last camp is lovely, situated by a steam and surrounded by mountains, wild horses, domestic animals (yaks) and yerts. Everybody is quite relaxed today and theres some fermented horse milk going around (not having)

Tomorrow we go 10km, and then a long bus ride back to UB, should be there by 7pm. Will whatsapp from there

Thank you so much or the messages all! Such a treat to read after the walking

Lots of love!

Comments: Total (4) comments

Ks Gopal

Posted On: 08 Aug 2019 08:54 am

Awesome Varun and Jhanu.

sangita gunaseelan

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 05:00 am

Good good ! Good to hear . 😍💕Hugs from all of us 🤗🤗

Supriya Singh

Posted On: 02 Aug 2019 06:13 pm

Yoohoo...to you two! I’m in awe!! Photos are just amazing. Wild and beautiful. Besties for the final 10k. Loads of love!

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 02 Aug 2019 04:29 pm

Yay! Yay for you two, trekking poles, Jesse, tape, streams and all the horses running around.... hahah horse milk ... that too fermented ..... have a sip... can't wait for you two to be back to the mother ship.... lots of love... also...can you please put in a word with the organisers... to plan a slow poke walking the planet...where people like me can do it in 15 days? xxx

01 August 2019 09:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar

Hello everybody!

Thank you so much for the support and the messages it uplifts immensely us to know that you all are following us!

Our second day (Monday) had us crossing 46km. we had quite  bit of elevation gain, 1040m. the camp we stay at was amongst rocks and ancient petroglyphs. The walk seemed never ending, we felt awful at times, but it was lovely to arrive at camp and eat a hot meal.

Tuesday’s hike spanned 40km. after 20km we arrived at undulating sand dunes, this went on for a tough 10km. after 3 slow kilometres, we decided  to run the rest. Getting out of there fast was worth the pain. Post this, we had a 10km flat walk to camp.

Yesterday was The Long March, 76km! after walking an exhausting 50km, we stopped at a rest stop with tents and hot water. We ate a quick meal, and left there at 10:15pm in a small group of 5. It was a struggle, and varun, whose knees have been giving him trouble, had to stop a bit at the check points to get them checked out by the doctors. It was a struggle but we made it to camp at 5am, undoubtedly thanks to the company of a lovey, and experienced, lady, Cynthia. She guided us and encouraged us a lot.

Today has been a relaxing rest day. Tomorrow we walk 42km to the next camp.

Comments: Total (13) comments

Surendra Singh

Posted On: 02 Aug 2019 05:19 am

Janu and Varun you continue to make us dizzy with your exploits.It is said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. You two are real evidence of it. Our chests fill with pride thinking of what you’re doing. One final spurt and you’ll be through. We’ll be behind you all the way. Lots of love. Hemi adds: My brave hearts you keep the Bist Singh Aggarwal and Gunaseelan flag flying in the land of Genghis Khan Varun your knees will be alright with all our combined good wishes we are so excited about this adventure and for making us a part of it loads of love

Guna Rajan

Posted On: 02 Aug 2019 02:28 am

proud of you 2....amazing spirit.....remaining leg must be a breeze now.....

Shreya Singhal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 08:06 pm

You guys are doing all of us so ridiculously proud! Keep going and take care, rest up and finish! Lots of love 💕

Samantha Balaji

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 07:15 pm

Hey J & V, Great to hear you guys are MORE than half way there. Both of you are absolute champs! Rooting for you and following you every step of the way! Take care xx

Sanjivani Rathore

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 06:27 pm

Hi JanuVarun, Amazing how you’ve done till now! So very proud of you two😍 lots of hugs n 😘! Varun your knees will feel great with the rest n bandage - All the Best - with you all along God Bless!

Shweta Rathore

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 06:25 pm

Love you 👍so proud of you my love

Shweta Rathore

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 06:25 pm

Love you 👍so proud of you my love

Dev Aggarwal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 05:54 pm

Go Janvvar!!!!

sanjay aggarwal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 05:50 pm

Proud of you kids for having done it... Was a bit worried about the 77 km.....

Supriya Singh Rathor

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 04:05 pm

You can do it...we are all right behind you!! Khastoo sisters i.e your mad mausis 😜are sitting here fingers and toes all crossed up rooting praying blessing you both. Loads of love Janu and Varun. Besties for the 42km tomorrow...its gonna be a breeze after the 76km!! God bless ya 😘

sangita gunaseelan

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 02:01 pm

Yayyyyy...... you’ve done it ! The tough is over . Tight hugs to both of you 🤗🤗 Any balm or muscle relaxant, Varun ? Take care , you’re nearly there !!!💕😍

Soni Chachi Stalker

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 01:44 pm

What an adventure and what a remarkable amount of grit and determination! Bravo to all you Wild Warriors ! Best of luck darlings 😇

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 01:30 pm

Oh my... am feeling quite weepy reading this... so good to hear from you... please give Cynthia a big hug from me! Maybe tie up Varun’s knees? Crepe bandage? One more tough day to go... take care of yourselves... you two are going to be unstoppable after this experience.... rooting and cheering for you.. big hugs and kisses

30 July 2019 10:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar

Hi guys,

Two tough days back to back. Tomorrow is the longest 76km.

All well.

Comments: Total (6) comments

Ruchi Jamwal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 05:55 pm

OMG.... So proud of you guys... can't say it enough. Just remember, " Mind set is what separates the best from the rest". Rooting for you....all the way. All the best...!! Lots of love 🙅🙅❤️❤️

Supriya Singh

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 10:04 am

Janu & Varun...OMG...you rock! Awesome going...so proud of you two!! Lots of love.

Supriya Singh

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 10:04 am

Janu & Varun...OMG...you rock! Awesome going...so proud of you two!! Lots of love.

sangita gunaseelan

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 03:59 am

Great going , you two 👍🏻Lots of love 🤗🤗

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 01 Aug 2019 02:53 am

Sheer grit and determination... well done you two... so proud of you.... sleep well now my two loved ones....

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 30 Jul 2019 04:31 pm

My goodness you guys.... all the very best for what's to come.... been following your progress avidly.... lots of love to you both

28 July 2019 08:00 pm (GMT+08:00) Irkutsk, Ulaan Bataar

We covered  the 36 km distance of stage 1 in 7  hours 15 minutes. The first 20 km were fast and easy but there was a 400m climb after which took a while. At the top of the climb, we walked along a very windy ridge for 2km before descending into a wide green valley. The winds were very strong and little grasshoppers that jumped 2 feet in the air to avoid our feet were instantly blown away in the wind.

 

The final section before camp was a marshy river bed which was needed care to ensure our shoes stayed clean so close to camp. Jahnavi got her shoes wet in a river crossing 12km in but they dried before we got to camp. I’ve got a couple of pre-blister hot spots on my feet but taking good care of them.

 

Will update from the next camp.

 

Hi Moms!!

-          Varun

Comments: Total (4) comments

Shreya Singhal

Posted On: 28 Jul 2019 06:15 pm

Woohoo! So proud! Love from delhi

Sangita Gunaseelan

Posted On: 28 Jul 2019 04:17 pm

Hi Varun & Jahnu , so good to hear 💕All the best from all at home .

Samantha Balaji

Posted On: 28 Jul 2019 03:25 pm

Hey Varun, So proud of you & J! You guys are gonna smash it! Following you every step of the way! Good luck! 🤞🏽 - Sam & Kiran

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 28 Jul 2019 02:45 pm

Wow so good to hear from you... pl use compeed.... lovely pictures.... it all looks beautiful.... wish I was there! So proud of you two... lots of love

26 July 2019 09:40 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Visited the Genghis Khan statue today. It is very impressive stainless steel structure rising 40m above the Mongolian steppes. Ate a traditional Mongolian meal of stir fried fat noodles w/ horse meat and lamb soup momos. 

Tomorrow we start with our briefing at 8 am followed by a gear check. We then drive 3 hours to our first campsite. 

Race begins Sunday with our first 45km! 

 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Hemi Singh

Posted On: 27 Jul 2019 02:52 am

Best of luck Varun and Janu our wonderful grandchildren

Surendra Singh

Posted On: 27 Jul 2019 01:50 am

Best of luck on this exciting endeavour.

25 July 2019 09:54 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Arrived in Ulaanbaatar after 14 hours of travel. lush, rolling hills all around. Several power plants within the city limits spewing chemicals in the air non-stop. Will rest and look around tomorrow before the serious stuff starts on Saturday. 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Hemi Singh

Posted On: 27 Jul 2019 04:38 am

Hello Varun and Jahnavi our thoughts ate with you every day on this momentous adventure in the Gobi desert almost feels as if we are there with you

Smita Aggarwal

Posted On: 27 Jul 2019 02:22 am

All the very best you two loved ones