Students From Russia and Mongolia will Place National Flags on Top of Munku-Sardyk as Part of the Two Lakes Cup Tournament
Students from Russia and Mongolia will climb to the top of Munku-Sardyk on March 28-31 within the “Two Lakes Cup” International Bandy Tournament. At the peak, the participants will raise the national flags of the two countries and make contact with the first Mongolian cosmonaut, Zhugdardemidijn Gurragchey.
The ascent is timed to coincide with the 43rd anniversary of the Soviet-Mongolian crew's flight into space, which took place on March 22-30, 1981 aboard the ship "Soyuz-39". The crew consisted of commander Vladimir Dzhanibekov and cosmonaut-researcher Zhugderdemidiin Gurragcha.
It is symbolic that Munku-Sardyk is the highest peak of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, located on the border between Russia and Mongolia. The joint ascent by Russian and Mongolian students is intended to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries.
According to Alexander Demidov, the chairman of the INRTU Sports Club, nine students will make the climb. INRTU will be represented by members of the Sports Tourism Club. The Mongolian Student Sports Union will be represented by Gantulga Tselmeg and Sanjdorj Saruulbyan.
"Our students will start the ascent from the Buryat Republic side. The Mongolian participants will start from the village of Khankh. Climbing Munku-Sardyk in spring can be called a difficult route, so only experienced tourists will participate in the expedition. They will take special equipment, satellite phones and the necessary tools for setting up a camp," says Alexander Demidov.
Vera Brenzey, head of INRTU Sports Tourism Club, called the Russian and Mongolian students’ ascent to Munku Sardyk a historic event:
"It will be an honor for the students to take part in the event dedicated to the flight of the Soviet-Mongolian crew into space. The Munku - Sardyk peak is over three thousand meters above sea level. From a technical point of view, this ascent is considered to be of medium difficulty".
Denis Kirillov, a third-year student at the School of Economics, Management and Law, has long been interested in tourism. His mountain peaks list includes Babkha Mountain, Travyanistaya Mountain, Baikalsky Ridge and Skriper Cliff:
"I can’t wait to climb Munku-Sardyk. At the moment I am busy preparing for the ascent - I am improving my physical shape and psychologically adapting".
Anastasia Zharkova, a prospective geologist, has been studying at INRTU Sports Tourism Club for more than two years:
"From climbing Munku-Sardyk I expect new impressions and beautiful views that will open up to us from the top. The hike will also allow me to meet students from the friendly Mongolia".
The final event of the Two Lakes Cup will be bandy matches on the ice of Lake Khubsugul with the participation of the INRTU hockey team, the national teams of Buryatia and Mongolia. The tournament will be held on April 3 near the Mongolian village of Khankh. In the first stage of the Two Lakes Cup international championship, held on March 6 on the ice of Lake Baikal near the village of Maximikha (Republic of Buryatia), INRTU team took the lead. The second place was taken by the team of the Buryat Republic, the third - by the Mongolian hockey players.
