Altai Tavan Bogd is the westernmost mountain of the Mongolian Altai mountain range. The range extends from the northwestern edge of Mongolia to the southeast until passing the Gobi-Altai province, covering over 900 km. The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park has an area of approximately 6,350 square kilometers. Part of this area is the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain range, which has five peaks that are permanently covered in snow. The area also has some glaciers, and one path leads to the first glacier, which is about 15 kilometers away. The Potanin Glacier is another glacier in the area, measuring 20 kilometers long and five kilometers wide.
The five peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd are Khuiten Peak (4,374 meters), Nairamdal Peak (4,082 meters), Malchin Peak (4,037 meters), Burged Mountain (4,068 meters), and Ulgii Peak (4,050 meters).
The basins of Khoton, Khurgan, Dayan, Hovd, Khar Salaa, Tsagaan Salaa, Songinot, and Yolt rivers are in the area, with the lowest point being Khurgan Lake at 1,800 meters.
Historical Sites
Shiveet Khairkhan, a sacred mountain with rock petroglyphs of elk and other animals, is also located here.
The rocks in the area have a lot of paintings, seals, and letters written 2,500-3,000 years ago. The deer stone in the Altai Mountains is different from the deer stone in the Khangai Mountains in that it depicts a horse instead of a deer. There are many tombs and graves in the Altai Tavan Bogd complex, dating back to the ancient Hun, Turkic, Uyghur, and Mongolian empires, but their dates have not been precisely determined.
In 2006, a burial mound was excavated, revealing a remarkable 2,500-year-old ice mummy of a Scythian warrior. The warrior was found equipped with a range of weapons such as arrows, bows, and a dagger, along with his clothing that included a gilded headdress, a fur coat, trousers, and boots. These findings are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Mountain Climbing
Mountain sports tourism has been developed in the region, and more than 1,200 climbers have climbed the mountain since 1956. The Khuiten Mountain, towering majestically in the Tavan Bogd range, presents a formidable challenge to mountaineers. With its lofty peaks and treacherous terrain, it can only be scaled by seasoned professionals during the summer months of July through September. The stunning views from the summit, however, make it a cherished experience for those who dare to conquer this natural wonder.
The area has beautiful nature that represents the features of high mountain perpetual snow, glaciers, Yan Saridag, mountain meadows, and field ecosystems. Mammals such as argali, ibex, and elk, and birds such as eagles, lammergeiers, and vultures live there, making it ideal for the development of mountain sports and nature tourism. The area was strictly protected in 1996.
The Potanin Glacier
A glacier is a natural formation of ice that takes shape slowly over time in high mountain areas or plains that undergo high pressure and freezing temperatures. These giant masses of ice are created through the accumulation of snow and ice on mountainous slopes over many years, forming permafrost. One such glacier is the Potanin Glacier, which is a mountain glacier that was formed during the Quaternary Ice Age over two million years ago.
The glacier was named after the Russian explorer G. Potanin, who traveled extensively throughout Mongolia from 1876 to 1899 and registered it in the World Geography Science under his name. The Potanin Glacier originates from the Tsagaan River area of the Altai five bogs and stretches for 20 km in length and 5 km in width.
The glacier has been the subject of scientific study, and a 2005 study found that the amount of melting decreased as it went up from the bottom, with a range of 378 to 242 cm. Unfortunately, the world’s glaciers are at risk due to
