A Visual journey through Beyond Limits 6
Welcome to a visual journey unlike any other! In this article, you're about to embark on an unforgettable adventure, delving into the magic of Beyond Limits 6 through a series of captivating photos that serve as a visual journal of our trek.
Beyond Limits 6 isn't just a charity expedition; it's a testament to the resilience and strength displayed by our brave young cancer patients. As they face their daily struggles with unwavering courage, our expedition members echo this spirit by pushing their own limits to the fullest.
Picture this: On Day 1, the team conquered an impressive 20.53km within 3h53min, at a pace of 11:23min/km. Day 2 saw them covering 16.42km in 4h52min, setting a pace that reflects their determination and drive; 17:50 min/km. On Day 3 of the trek, the team finished off with an incredible 15.06km, trekking for 3h51min with a pace that's nothing short of remarkable; 15:23 min/km.
In total, an awe-inspiring 52.01km was traversed, with a staggering S$52,927 raised in support of the Children Cancer Foundation. Each step taken during this journey contributed to the treatment and survival of countless cancer patients, marking a transformative experience for our 19 expedition members.
Now, it's your turn to witness it all unfold through these immortalized moments of the trek. Get ready to be inspired, moved, and captivated by the incredible journey that lies ahead!
In the vast Taiga of Khusgvul Province, the Beyond Limits 6 charity expedition unfolded as an epic saga of resilience and solidarity.
Amidst the whispers of the bone-chilling winter, 19 brave souls come together, drawn to this expedition by a longing to transcend their own boundaries.
They’re here not just for personal conquests, but with a tenacious desire to kindle hope for young cancer patients of Children Cancer Foundation.
Their mission is to conquer a 3-day trek in Taiga, Mongolia, under extreme temperatures of -30-50°C.
Taiga, an obscure but mystical part of the world, straddles the Mongolian-Russian border and contains diverse terrain and stunning landscapes. Think majestic steppe-taiga valleys and rugged peaks to breathtakingly dense boreal forests — its beauty is unparalleled in most of the world.
The cold may bite, but the determination and resolve of these expedition members were unshakeable.
Now, here’s how their trek officially began.
To reach the starting point of our trek, the team of 19 relied on the expertise of local Mongolian drivers who ferried the expedition team in sturdy vehicles across 1000km of rugged roads into the Khuvsgul Province of Taiga.
Here’s a peek at some members of the expedition team in the van, before the trek begins!
Off they go, into the stunning icelands of Taiga.
Shot of a signboard, with a single pamphlet stuck on it.
The views along the way were absolutely breathtaking. Nothing quite like what they’d ever seen.
Along the way, the team made some pitstops to capture some memories to keep!
From left to right: Isaac, Vick, Jia Ying, Shah, Rachel.
They’d finally reached the start of the Taiga region.
And here’s our member Vick, ‘warming up’ for the trek by challenging a member of the Mongolian crew to a wrestling match in the snow!
That structure in the middle is called an ovoo.
An ovoo is a traditional Mongolian religious monument made of rocks or wood, found at sacred sites and mountain passes. It serves as a place of worship and offerings in Mongolian shamanistic and Buddhist practices, believed to be inhabited by spirits or deities.
Visitors make offerings at ovoos to seek good fortune, health, and blessings for their journey ahead, which is exactly what our team was doing!
As the members get used to bone-chilling temperatures ranging from -30 to -50 °C, they gather closely around the fire stove inside the yurt, seeking warmth for their chilled feet.
Here’s Vick in a Mongolian yurt, meddling with his hydration bladder! Unfortunately, it ended up being useless in winter, as the pipes froze in less than a minute after he steps out into the cold.
Here’s Paul, a member of the media team for this expedition.
Paul's lashes frosted over, a stark testament to the bone-chilling cold the team was facing.
Here’s Shah, with beautiful icy lashes framing his eyes too!
The team posing for a shot in their first encounter with the extreme temperatures of Taiga.
And off they go, to finally begin their trek.
As the journey began, the members acclimated to the extreme cold and rugged terrain. Day 1 emerged as a monumental test of adaptability and unwavering perseverance for the team.
In the midst of it all, the vast expanse of the land cradles them, whispering words of encouragement that echo through the winds, urging them to persist and press on.
Their trek wasn’t a mere stroll on a flat, smooth path. It involved twists and turns, heights and varying terrains.
It was a tough trek, and the members got through it by constantly being by each other’s side each step of the way.
Here’s a shot of Julia and Remus, a power couple who joined BL6 together to challenge themselves and continue making beautiful travel memories together!
Here’s Fiza, Pamela and Rachel, three tenacious individual members of the trek.
The members cheering themselves on by raising their hands for BL’6’!
Some important people we’d like to feature: our Mongolian drivers. (featured in this shot is a driver named Erka!)
The invaluable role of these men extends far beyond mere logistics; they are the backbone of BL6 and every charity expedition.
Their profound familiarity with the land ensures the team's safety, while their expert driving skills guarantee the presence of our essential supplies at all times. These local drivers provide us with reassurance and comfort, allowing expedition members to fully concentrate on completing the trek with unwavering focus. Featured in this photo is Ganzug, one of our local drivers.
We also met the Tsaatan reindeer nomads of Taiga, ever helpful with the way they take care of us amidst the freezing cold. Here’s a nomad chopping wood for fire that’ll keep the members warm.
Here's another endearing capture of her! Throughout the trip, our members cherish invaluable opportunities to engage with Mongolians, immersing themselves in their rich culture and traditions in ways only possible through genuine firsthand experiences.
Our members working hard to bring chopped wood into the hut, to fuel the fire in the stove.
This is a continuous process, as the wood constantly needs to be replenished for as long as we want the fire to stay alive.
Meal breaks are expertly managed by our dedicated Mongolian support team of cooks. At the designated times, they swiftly retrieve pots and ingredients from the van, jumping into action to prepare nourishing meals for our members, ensuring they are well-fed and energized for the trek ahead.
A glimpse into the warm, nourishing meals lovingly prepared for our team throughout the trek.
Team members huddling up to enjoy their warm meal!
Here's a candid moment captured during our trek: Scott, our dedicated expedition leader, lending a helping hand to one of our members.
In moments of ankle sprains or muscle cramps during the trek, our reliable expedition leaders step in with utmost care, ensuring our members receive the support they need to continue their journey in optimal health.
The team presses on, trekking across a boundless snowy plain, a majestic vista stretching endlessly into the horizon.
As frost built up on the rim of their hats and even on their lashes, the biting cold proved to be particularly unforgiving.
Below, we present shots capturing various team members in the midst of their journey, each frame encapsulating the intensity and determination fueling their adventure.
Surrounded by unprecedented natural visuals, the members embarked on their journey with perpetual joy and profound appreciation for the wonders surrounding them.
Through the lens of this enlightening 3-day trek, they uncovered the authentic marvels of Mongolia.
Mongolia's natural landscape is not just stunning; it's a treasure trove of breathtaking wildlife scenes that rival those found on Nat Geo Wild.
Would you just look at that?
As the 3-day trek neared its conclusion, our team of expedition members finds themselves entering a serene forest of pine trees. It's a mesmerizing sight, offering encouragement and inspiration as they embark on the final stretch of their journey.
And… the BL6 team is DONE, finishing off a 52.1km trek in the intense cold of enchanting Taiga!
Here’s the men’s own fun celebration of the end of the trek; a group shot taken at the Uran Togoo volcano, an extinct volcano in the western side of Uran-Togoo Tulga Uul Natural Monument.
Even amidst challenges, radiant smiles adorned the faces of all participants, reflecting their resilience and the rewarding essence of the experience.
In the gallery below, discover stunning snapshots of our expedition members, each embodying the immense heart and fortitude of humanity.
And the magic continues; look who’s here to celebrate with them!
Majestic reindeer, the creatures often depicted solely in storybooks and Christmas movies, graced the landscape with their ethereal presence.
An amazing sight to behold.
The local nomads even taught our members how to ride the reindeer.
The members had the unforgettable opportunity to ride 'Rudolphs' for the first time, a surreal and once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be cherished forever.
With pride and smiles adorning their faces, the team climbs into the van, journeying back to the mainland to celebrate their arduous trek.
Once again, guided by the wonderful local drivers, we traversed the roads with utmost safety and assurance.
As the BL6 team bid farewell to Taiga, they seized one final opportunity to immerse themselves in the splendor of Mongolia's landscapes.
Everywhere you look in Mongolia, the scenery will breathe life into you, offering refreshing and eye-opening perspectives.
And I wasn't kidding when I said the wildlife here is truly magical; look at what they saw while on the road!
An official goodbye to Taiga.
Let’s continue making our way back home.
That evening, the team had a celebratory Mongolian feast!
As the evening descended, Beyond Expeditions' team members Shah and Fiza led a meaningful activity to conclude the trek for everyone.
A paracord bundle circulated among team members with a simple directive: "Pass this to someone you want to appreciate."
As each person held onto an end, Shah orchestrated a poignant demonstration: a single pull on the paracord symbolized how one person's actions reverberate through the entire expedition. Shah then cut the cord, to signify the conclusion of the journey, while also emphasizing that the connections, bonds, and memories forged within the team endure beyond the expedition's end.
During the activity, members had the opportunity to share their personal stories and insights gained from the trek, reflections that they can carry back into their daily lives in Singapore.
Emotions surged in the room, as the members connected deeply with themselves and with each other.
It was a beautiful evening, where the bonds between the members grew even stronger, enveloped in the warmth of camaraderie and shared experiences.
Warm hugs went around.
And so the night concluded on a warm, loving, and deeply connected note, as each member cherished the shared moments and the profound sense of unity.
Upon returning to the city of Ulanbaatar, our team indulged in a lavish feast featuring the finest Kazakh dishes.
Here’s a close-up shot of one of the dishes, with beef as the star of the show!
“Whatcha looking at? Start eating with us!”
With hearts full of memories and lessons learned, the members bid farewell to the icy landscapes of Taiga, finally making their way back to the airport for their flight back to Singapore.
As our second run of Beyond Expeditions in icy Taiga draws to a close, it leaves behind wisps of frosty magic in the hearts of all the expedition members.
These unforgettable moments from their time in Mongolia will fuel them to lead their lives in different ways, forever enriched by the experiences shared on this remarkable journey.
A journey that challenged them to conquer a trek in the most extreme of conditions, all in pursuit of a noble cause.
Farewell to the remarkable team of BL6 for now; it was indeed a wild and beautiful ride filled with unforgettable memories and profound experiences. All created in the frosty land of Taiga.
In the realm of storytelling, pictures unfold narratives that words alone struggle to capture. I invite you to let these moments from the trek weave their tales, reaching deep into your heart.
May these visual stories linger in your thoughts, sparking the curiosity and excitement for the adventures that await. See you soon on our next expedition!
Read these other articles featuring Beyond Limits 6 too;
We have Jiaying, a daughter who has always been there for others, and through this trip, finally chose herself too.
We also have Julia and Remus, the power couple whose hearts are golden and ever glowing for each other and for meaningful causes.
Article written by: Valerie
Valerie, a freelance writer with a quirky infatuation with steamed buns and slightly bizarre food combinations.
(“Try soft-boiled eggs and hot milo!”)
She wishes to keep writing stories that bypass typical food reviews and appreciation of scenery, stories that inspire readers to pursue curious conversations about the unique cultures and lifestyles of every country.
