20-Aug-2006 -- 49N – 120E Hulunbaier (呼伦贝尔), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), China

Line Hunting Date: August 20, 2006

The 2nd Confluence Hunt in the Ultimate Grassland with Sunshine added

On day 2 of our stay at Hailaer (海拉尔) city the sun came out. After we completed the assigned duty by mid-afternoon, we co-opted Gao who drove us to 50N 120E the previous day for another hunt. This confluence point is the nearest point from Hailaer about 26 km away in the southeast direction.

We took the main highway headed south from Hailaer for about 20 km than tuned east on a dirt road pretty much following the 49th parallel. The approach toward the confluence point gave us a terrific experience on the wide open grassland. Having blue sky and bright sunshine made this hunt extra special and we all feeling upbeat.

It took about 30 minutes for us to reach the confluence point by driving on dirt track or on the grass. As it tuned out, Gao knew this area well, he has hunted wolf and fox in this area. But he was also keen to hunt for this "imaginary point" with us.

From the confluence point, the grassland is boundless – reaching as far as the horizon in all directions. In contrast to the cloudy and rainy condition for the first point we visited the day before, the balmy and sunny condition brought out the best of the Mongolian grassland.

After horsing around at the confluence for 15 minutes, we stop by the closest yurt about 1.5 km away . Unfortunately nobody was home. For the return trip, we took a winding track which cut across the grassland and reached Hailaer as sun started to set.

This was an easy and pleasant hunt, and gave us the full appreciation of the beauty of the famous grassland of Hulunbaier.

Rating of this hunt :

Degree of Challenge:

1 – We drove to the confluence point (1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery:

4 – Mongolian grassland at its best under beautiful sky (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors:

4 – Mongolian herders and ranchers dominate the area (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)