Spring on the Kazakh Steppe (2005)

Contemplating the 'Betpak Dala' steppe (The Starving Steppe) 30km from Akbakai This amazing landscape spreads out like a raging sea with countless gullies, gorges, and confusing patches of desert

Baitak, the classic steppe man, borne of this gold mining village way out on the steppe Baitak has become a personal friend, and without his help I would have lost the horses, gone hungry, and had a far less pleasant time He owns a herd of horses out on the steppe that roam free all year round

Baitak and a village elder (nickname, the 'Cunning old Fox' sit down for another enormous national meal of 'Bes Barmak.' Here you can find remnants of the horse they have just slaughtered, including the national delicay, 'Kozy' (salted meatand fat in horse intestines)

The crew in Akbakai at 'Baitak's Kitchen' which is where all the gold miners come to eat and drink after a 12 hour shift down underground Baitak and his wife supported Tim immeasurably, and continue to do so Without them Tim may have wasted away out there in winter!