Our next adventure was about 35 km from Bishkek... climbing in Ala Archa. Because our previous unsupported trek was six days, we ate most of the food we brought with us. So this time... we took up the kitchen sink, hiring a porter to help carry up our things. We planned to stay for seven days and climb both rock and alpine routes , so there was a lot of food and gear. Toby and Scott, new friends we met through the Alpine Fund (non-profit organization that takes kids climbing) came with us - so it was a little bit of a party. The hike in was about 5 hours of up, up, up. Packs were heavy, but eventually, all of our stuff arrived at the Ratsek Hut, where there's a little tent city, friendly Russians,
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