Otgontenger
The Otgon Tenger from east
The Otgon Tenger Uul (Mongolian Отгонтэнгэр Уул ), or short Otgon Tenger in Dsawchan Aimag of Mongolia is with 4008 m the highest peak of the Khangai mountain range and one of the highest mountains of the state. He is a Holy Mountain of the Mongols and the only Khangai mountain, the permanent snow and firn carries ( east of the summit ), due to its height.
Geographical location
The Otgon Tenger Uul is located in the western part of the Khangai Mountains, approximately 50 km east-southeast of Uliastai. About 14 km to the west of the mountain extends to 2455 m height of the Chuch - Nuur ( Blue Lake ).
Mountain height
The Otgon Tenger Uul is previously specified ( depending on the source or card) with different heights between 3905 m and 4031 m. A survey ascent in September 2009, has set an altitude of 4008 m with GPS.
Ascent
The Otgon Tenger Uul was first climbed in 1955 by a Mongolian expedition. Since 2003, applies to the area of the peak near snow and ice field, a climbing ban, which is, however, allegedly regularly ignored even by Mongolian politicians.
The mountain climbing is not difficult: From the east side to a high valley rises to 2500 m at the foot of the mountain, which can be reached to within a few kilometers before, for example with a motor vehicle. The easiest ascent arises from the southeast side. You climb over a gravel and boulder field, at a lake, to around 3300 m on a plateau at. From there, a uniformly trained scree slope extends up to the summit, which can be climbed any. The version on the left edge, the ( plane crash see section ) passes the debris field of a crashed aircraft at around 3600 meters above sea level, reached up to 30 degrees steep snowfield until very near the top, about 200 m below the summit. The use of crampons is recommended. To the west of the mountain breaks into a steep rock face with a height of up to 1000 m.
Plane crash
In 1963, crashed in thick fog AN- 24 of the Mongolian Airlines at a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Uliastai against the eastern flank of the Otgon Tenger Uul. All about 40 inmates were killed. Even today (2009 ), one can find remains of the aircraft on the mountain.