A Visual Journey through Beyond Limits 4

Apr 23

Let’s do something a little different this time; a blog post that brings you through our story from start to end, using pictures. The journey of Beyond Limits 4 will unfold for you visually, and with minimal words.

This charity expedition was a visually magical experience. Words are simply not enough; they cannot do justice to the sheer essence of this incredible journey that comes alive through the interactions within the team, the challenging conditions of the environment, the amazing people and animals we met along the way, and the unexpected twists and turns that kept us on our toes. I first heard about this expedition through interviews with some of the participants, but little did I know that I had only scratched the surface of what truly transpired until I had access to the hundreds of stunning photos captured. So, I sifted through and carefully sequenced the most significant moments to share with you, hoping to give you a glimpse into the essence of this remarkable journey.

Are you ready to be transported to a world beyond limits? If yes, then buckle up, hold on tight, and get ready for a look into this meaningful expedition across the ice of Lake Khuvsgul!

The team touched down in Ulanbataar, the capital of Mongolia. We then set off on a 700+km drive up north to Hatgal village, located on the southern part of Lake Khuvsgul, where we officially began our 4-day trek.

Before we began the first day of trekking, we gathered around our local guide, Ganbaa, who’s the owner of MS Guesthouse located in Hatgal village. Ganbaa was born in this very village and used to be the mayor in charge of the well-being of the people, infrastructure, and grants for Hatgal village for years before he stepped down. A well-respected man in the village, Ganbaa is definitely one of the best people to guide us through this journey.

Here’s a magnificent shot of the three Russian-made UVAZ 4X4 vehicles, ever ready to support us in safety, food, and emergency. These vehicles are commonly used throughout Central Asia.

The members took some time to take care of each other, ensuring everyone was well geared up well and ready for the arduous journey ahead.

Our first group shot on Lake Khuvsgul! Catch some of them showing the number 4 with their hands; a symbol to pay homage to Beyond Limits 4!

Huddling together, the team kicked off their challenge with a loud cheer!

Each participant had to walk with ice cleats on their shoes, to prevent them from slipping and sliding dangerously across the icy lake. Ice cleats, also known as ice spikes or crampons, are traction devices that are worn on the bottom of shoes or boots to improve traction and stability on icy surfaces. They typically feature spikes or metal teeth that grip into the ice, providing a better grip and preventing slips and falls.

A glimpse of the landscapes that would surround you as you trek across Lake Khuvsgul. It truly takes your breath away, every time you see it.

In a never-ending horizon of snow, ice, and land, the Beyond Limits 4 team conquered every mile of their 50km trek together with other participants. Company, is what creates the strongest memories.

Along the way, this lucky charm (whom the team named ‘Teh-Bing’!) bounded up to us and pronounced himself the 20th member of our team. Little did he know how his presence would later bring smiles to our members in the toughest of times.

Whenever it’s time to eat, food comes from a van where two lovely Mongolian expedition chefs (Suvdaa Narantsetseg and Ganchimeg Manalsuren) are ever ready to serve up piping hot meals. These meals knock out cold within 10 seconds of being out of the pot, though, given the extremely frigid conditions beyond the warmth of its pot.

After each meal, we get ready to move again. Given how low the temperatures are, our body gets rigid the more we stay stationary, so static warm-ups are important to ensure our limbs are warmed up for the next leg of our trek. Stretches would be too harsh on our bodies; it’s akin to stretching a rubber band when it’s frozen!

Ready or not, off we march across the lake! Each step taking us further away from who we were before this expedition, and closer towards who we truly can be when our limits are challenged.

‘Teh-Bing’ following the team in silence, as if he were originally part of the team. Also, here you can see how some parts of Lake Khuvsgul are more ice than snow. These patches of ice were more dangerous to trek on, given how much more slippery they are. Some of our team members preferred walking on ice because walking on snow feels like walking on sand, while others preferred the snow because it feels less slippery. It really depends!

Let there be warmth and light, as we move into the night! This was taken when we arrived at our first base camp. The man in this photo is one of our Mongolian drivers, Erka. He was helping the team quickly and skilfully setting up a bonfire.

With blankets laid over their legs, our team members gathered near the crackling bonfire to rest and warm their freezing hands.

The camaraderie formed between this team is evident via the way they constantly wanted to immortalise moments of their time together.

No, that’s not a snow monster… That’s just Peggy, one of our team members who’s helping out with transporting firewood.

As the sun’s rays leave the sky, the bonfire’s glow comes out to play more loudly than before.

The presence of a glowing bonfire brings this special feeling of being deeply connected to the natural world.

Participants are split into different tents for the night’s rest, kept safe within the folds of the tents and the watchful eyes of the local guides. There’s this sense of peace and contentment that only can come from being in the great outdoors, after ending a long day of trekking through snow and ice.

Our photographer, Ryan, took this photograph early in the morning the next day! Tire tracks mark out each van’s unique path across a bed of snow. A reminder that… It doesn’t matter how you get there. What matters more is that you do.
I’m wondering what’s the message you receive, as you look at this photograph.

Here, our team is up and roaring to go again. Their endurance matches perfectly with the spirit of uncharted adventures, and their commitment to standing together with cancer survivors through their struggles.

Moments like this prove how this expedition is not just here to raise funds and awareness for cancer survivors; it’s here to raise your awareness around the beauty of support. When we choose to walk alongside each other, the journey becomes a whole lot more beautiful and less painful.

Along the way, many things can happen. Sprained ankles, frostbite, aching joints, constant extreme shivering of bodies, slipping and falling on the ice, dropping their scarves and ice cleats… Here, two of our expeditioners are helping Amy to secure her ice cleats tightly because she kept losing them!

When we commit to a long strenuous trek, taking frequent breaks is A MUST. It’s not only our bodies that need physical rest; our hearts and minds need emotional and mental rest too.

Our team members are all smiles here… because, guess what? We’re midway through, into Day 2!
(From left: Zoe, Allegra, Peggy)

The team took a break with the intention of getting right back into the game, stronger and steadier. Once everyone was ready, off they go again.

And you can have fun, anytime, anywhere. Even if you’re the only one ready for the camera. And hello, our dear lucky charm. Are you reminding us to do some static warm-ups before we head off again?

Hot soup and coffee are staples in our diet. Suvdaa Narantsetseg and Ganchimeg Manalsuren, our two Mongolian chefs, have been a charm, serving up food for 19 hungry expedition-ers meal after meal across four days, and yet never once complaining. Their care comes in such abundance.

This time, tables were set up to create a makeshift dining hall right on Lake Khuvsgul, where everyone then gathers together to fuel up.

After every meal, we move. The beauty of the landscape around us moves us too, taking our breath away and in return, gifting us with awe and wonder of our natural world.

It is Day 3, and ‘Teh-Bing’ he is still here with us. Looks like he committed to taking on this challenge with us too.

Towards the end of Day 3, the team left Lake Khuvsgul and entered this dry, brown forested area to settle down for the night.

They took about a short 10-minute walk through the forest, anticipating the opportunity to rest. The last campsite has been spotted, just a little bit more to go!

While we were here, we spotted this pair of Mongolian horses in their natural habitat. Magnificent.

On the fourth (and last) morning, the team doing static warm-ups for the last time this trip to clear the last leg of the trek!

The last part of this expedition truly tested each member’s endurance and perseverance. It’s not been an easy past three days, so the fatigue and discomforts from being in such a cold and harsh environment are creeping in.

And… finally, the team has completed the 50km trek across Lake Khusgvul! Cheers of joy and celebration echoed across the lake, as our expedition-ers came together for a group hug and rejoiced in their achievement!

It wasn’t an easy journey. Hugs and words of appreciation flowed from one to the other, as they took turns thanking each other for the way they’d been throughout the expedition.

It’s a wrap! 19 inspirational individuals, 9 reliable Mongolian support crew, a beloved dog companion, 4 vans, 50 kilometers of ice and snow, and temperatures plunging below -20 degrees celsius (and even to -35 on some nights) later, this team has completed their charity expedition to raise awareness and $53,625 (as of 7th April, 2023) worth of funds for the Singapore Cancer Society! (I’ve also attached the donation link here, if you’ll also like to support their cause!)

Here’s a special shot of our founder, Scott Tay (most left), with the three cancer survivors who have bravely taken on this conquest with us to raise awareness and support for their fellow warriors!
(From left: Amy, Anne, Zoe)

And last but not least, a huge shout-out to these 6 Mongolian family of ours, who have been super helpful expedition guides and drivers for us throughout. They’re the reason why we could venture on this expedition across the icy terrains of Lake Khuvsgul, given their depth of knowledge of the region and its dangers.

Beyond Limits charity expeditions are for you, if you:

… Are an explorer hungry for an experience that goes beyond typical tourist traps,
… Wish to travel for a meaningful cause,
…And wish to challenge yourself to go beyond what you think you are capable of.

So if you find yourself nodding as you read these three points? Maybe I’ll see you in the upcoming expeditions too.

For more content from Beyond Limits 4, come on over to our Instagram Highlights here to catch some live footage from the journey itself. Our filmmaker, Paul, has also created an amazing video compiling footage taken across the four days, check it out here! If you are personally inspired to take on the challenge and travel for a meaningful cause, check out our upcoming fifth edition of Beyond Limits; this time, we’re dragging tires across the Gobi Desert to raise awareness and support for the disabled warriors! We also have Beyond Limits 6 coming up in December, where it’ll be in Taiga, where the Tsaatan reindeer nomads are located.