Flashes of the Altai - Video

Oct 26, 2016
by Joey Schusler  
Flashes of the Altai

by joeyschusler
Views: 24,886    Faves: 319    Comments: 14


In the summer of 2015 three childhood friends, Joey Schusler, Mason Lacy, and Sam Seward set out for the far western corner of Mongolia to combine mountain biking and pack rafting in a self-supported adventure into the unknown. Never having attempted a mountain bike to pack raft link-up, they decided it was a great idea to travel to one of the most remote and sparsely populated places in the world to try it out.

The goal was to traverse the Mongolian Altai, a remote range of high glaciated peaks with silt-laden rivers draining from their heights. The only inhabitants of the region are Kazakh nomads, the last people on earth who continue the tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Ancient standing stones carved over the millennia stand guard over the landscape.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Twelve days in the wilderness, riding over high passes loaded with gear, surviving raging whitewater, drinking fermented mare’s milk, and battling the elements, this was not an adventure these young lads would soon forget.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

Images from Joey Schusler s Flashes of the Altai article.

For a full write up on their Mongolian adventure, be sure to check out the pages of the July issue of Bike Magazine.

A Film By: Joey Schusler
Featuring: Mason Lacy, Sam Seward, & Joey Schusler
Editor: Joey Schusler & Thomas Woodson
Motion Design & VFX: Paul Harrison (Shotgun Infinity)
Art Direction: Drew Pautler (Good Fortune Collective)
Post Production Sound: Keith White (Keith White Audio)
Expedition Logistics: Mason Lacy, Sam Seward, & Canat Chiryazdan
Supported by: Yeti Cycles, Smith Optics, Outdoor Research, ENVE Composites, SRAM, RockShox, Skratch Labs, Big Agnes, Revelate Designs
Media Partners: Bike Magazine, 5 Point Film Festival
www.joeyschusler.com

MENTIONS: @joeyschusler / @KeithWhiteAudio / @yeticycles / @SmithOptics / @ENVE / @SramMedia


Posted In:
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151 Comments
  • 132 2
 I could watch another 2 hours of that video! So interesting and so short.... Going job guys!!!
  • 34 2
 These real deal bike adventures would be very neat to see in 30min or 1hr episodes....Someone get Anthony Bourdain on a bike! haha
  • 81 0
 @loopie: Yes! This is definitely quite short, but the Bike Magazine piece dives in much deeper into our story if you are interested. That being said, I have some longer format 20-30 min content in the works over the next year or so, so stay tuned! Cheers guys.
  • 16 0
 if this trip was anything like my "real deal adventure" in Iceland, extending this movie any longer would just show wwaayy more misery and struggle. oh and lots and lots of crying.....
  • 17 0
 @charles0210: Haha yes, as a photographer and filmmaker it's definitely a tendency to show the most positive and beautiful moments, when in reality it's often much more difficult than it comes across on screen. Many of my trips have been serious sufferfests for sure, but something about the Mongolia trip was smooth sailing and easy going, flowy trails and swift rivers.
  • 4 0
 Looking forward to the footage joeyschusler! To charles0210's point...I imagine it takes a TON of footage, probably by many cameras constantly rolling, to get 30-40min of positively useful footage. Having said that...Adventure clips don't have to be about the bikes 24/7 either...and shouldn't be Smile
  • 9 0
 @loopie: Totally agree! And on a trip that is 3+ weeks, honestly getting the footage isn't the problem if you are working the whole time, it's the edit and narrowing the story down that is the hard part! The ups and downs of being on these adventures and fully living, to working in the edit cave sitting for days on end at home is pretty intense haha.
  • 3 0
 @joeyschusler: loved the BIKE article, must have read it over like 5 times. Question, what kind of gear did you bring on this grand adventure? Be interested on hearing what used to get all this extraordinary footage.
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: read that story earlier in the year and loved reading about your adventure. The visuals bring on a whole new picture. Looks awesome!
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: YES PLEAAAAAASE
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: love your adventures, very inspiring Joey thanks
  • 2 0
 Adventure. So rad.
  • 30 1
 I spent 11 days on a solo cross country ride in Mongolia in 2010. The place is awesome for MTBing as most of the roads were merely dirt tracks outside Ulaan Baatar, the capital. The Mongolian people were very friendly and helpful. Shamefully, even though I was carrying about 2 weeks food and 6 litres of water I had to virtually beg for water in some areas (it was June, very hot and very dry). The people have a great tradition of helping travelers and gratefully receive help - I spent a few hours collecting goat manure at one ger/yert in trade for some food and water! The kids love to try your bike (as in the vid.) and no matter where you stop - it could be miles from nowhere, someone will turn up to say hello and share some food or drink. Great times. Thanks for the reminder and great vid.
  • 3 0
 That sounds amazing. Would love to ship over there with a HT 29er and do something like that. How much does something like that cost if you don't mind my asking?
  • 9 0
 @Jvhowube: I flew from Beijing to Ul. Ba. so check out flight prices either directly to Ul. Ba. Mongolia or via Beijing. Once there and out on the grasslands you need very little money as long as you're carrying what you need. You can restock in small towns en-route for just a few US dollars a day (or a few thousand Tugruk!!). I took my bike in a bike bag on the plane and everything else I needed as hand luggage (full camping and cooking kit etc) - it's a good job they don't weigh hand luggage and there was no excess baggage cost! If you go with mates you can share some of the kit to keep weight down. I sorted a visa out on arrival - I had the forms filled in and some passport style photos ready to go - the immigration guy was a little put out because I didn't have some other paperwork (letter of invitation from the ministry of tourism I think it was) but he was very helpful and sorted the visa out on the spot - check what docs. you need before you go. Obviously the flight is the biggest outlay. Once there everything is comparatively cheap and the daily cost is negligible. I did all my route planning on Google Earth (using lat and long) and used a very simple hand held GPS for navigating. Never got lost once and couldn't believe how accurate Google Earth is. You don't need a guide and just carry some basic spares for your bike. You can get modern outdoor and cycling kit in Ulaan Baatar but very unlikely once out on the route. Hope this helps.
  • 8 0
 @miketaffgeog Oh thats wonderful to hear about your experiences, thanks for sharing! We were lucky to be high in the Altai where water was a plenty. I can image it can be hard to come by around Ulaanbaatar. So dry and desolate, it's no wonder it's the most sparsely populated country on earth! And the kids!!! All so friendly, and all so good at riding bikes. I think it's because they are traditionally some of the best horseback riders in the world? Anyways, good stuff man. Cheers!
  • 10 0
 @Jvhowube: 2k to fly there, and cheap as can be once your on the ground... It surely isn't as expensive as traveling around the US or Europe. It's really hard to spend money when you are disconnected from the internet and big cities and just have your bike to ride all day and a big adventure ahead of you Smile
  • 5 0
 @joeyschusler: Awesome video. You really capture the beauty and essence of the place - I've been to Mongolia twice MTB touring and hopefully will be going back there again - it has a strange draw on you once you've been. The parts I visited reminded me of central and south Wales - beautiful rolling hills and valleys with the sun and clouds dancing across them as if they were a stage. I'd love to visit the Altai in the west and look forward to seeing more footage.
  • 20 0
 So many people forget that mountain biking isn't necessarily about huge gaps and tricks. Its about exploring the world, with the only motor being your legs. The bike serves as a aid to transportation, and these guys know that! Not to say that the occasional sick whip isn't appreciated Wink
  • 18 0
 I couldn't agree with this more! The bicycle is the perfect vehicle for seeing and experience the world and its many cultures. You can cover vast swaths of land, all while going slow enough to really take it and in and meet the many characters along the way. People treat you differently (and better) when you arrive on a bicycle, instead of in a rental car with a camera hanging off your neck, it's pretty remarkable really. I've raced WC DH, EWS, and done my fair share of gaps and (not so many) tricks, but using the bike as a tool to explore the world on grand adventures has where I've settled in and can't wait for whats next!
  • 1 4
 f*cking rich people. The only motor being airplane, bus, possibly boat, rented SUV, to even get there and "explore". Dumbass
  • 21 1
 this might be the most picturesque photo collection i have ever seen and the riding look primo keep doing what you're doing cause you are living the dream
  • 22 0
 Thank you! My goal is to have mountain biking and bike powered exploration meet Nat Geo style expeditions and imagery... Goals...
  • 6 0
 @joeyschusler: I think you've achieved your goal.
  • 14 1
 That last picture is by far the manliest portrait I have ever seen! I'm not sure it can be topped.
  • 17 1
 Possibly the greatest Tinder photo of all time.
  • 7 0
 @scottsecco: How that photo actually wen't down "cheesy smile, cheesy smile, ok look tough (takes photo), laugh, cheesey smile".
  • 1 0
 I thought it was fake at first...Very cool!
  • 2 0
 This one might rival it....

alphabetofmanliness.com/images/aom_cover_main.jpg
  • 6 0
 Really great video @joeyschusler This sort of thing is really raising the bar in MTB videos, and I'm enjoying the heck out of seeing your style and craft develop.

After watching this I feel like I need to learn to paddle!

I'm curious about food resupply in Mongolia? Are you carrying most of your food in with you, or is it easy to find food in villages? What sort of food are you able to find?

I don't eat meat, and am always curious when I look at adventures like this if I'd have to do some serious thinking about my ethics around food to travel there.
  • 7 0
 Thank you, I really appreciate that. Paddling is super fun, and mixing it with the bike is wild! I had never really paddled before this trip much... Just gotta send it! We carried 12 days of food with us. Suuuupper minimal. Lost lots of weight. But there was some food from locals along the way. In Mongolia, meat is a huge part of the diet. Along with other animal products such as milk and cheese. Not many fruits or veggies to be found out there, really at all! We all got a little stomach bug from something, but thats almost to be expected on these trips...
  • 4 0
 Mongolia is amazing. I bike toured/packed from Moron to Moron in 2010 with my best mate Tom. We blogged about it here: www.moron2moron.com and Tom ended writing a book about it. The riding was amazing, as were the people, the landscapes and the thunderstorms. One of the best adventures of my life.
  • 1 0
 I've herd nothing but great things about peoples MTB experiences in Mongolia. I'll definitely check this out, thanks for sharing!
  • 3 0
 This is the type of videos that makes me stop and think... "Damn, this guys are going to need to change all the bearings on their bikes when they get back".

Seriously now, the part between 2:11 and 2:22 was beautiful. The family and eyes of that kid, and then the hawk with the wind.
  • 2 0
 wow that looks stunning.....cant begin to imagine how daunting that must be without the safety of shops for parts out in the middle of nowhere. big respect to you guys and anyone who has done this kind of thing. now these are the experiences i imagine life should be about.
  • 1 0
 It's always definitely something to think about, at least in the back of your mind. And to also be tactical with a few small spare parts too... Always worth it in the end.
  • 3 0
 My god this was inspirational. From both a Trip Report and a filming perspective, The amount of gear you had to carry for this on a self-supported bikepack must have insane. At least 15kg back of the hand calculation
  • 2 0
 We wen't surprisingly light on the film kit this time. Took a little more work in post to make it come through, but we were fully light and fast on the camera setups!
  • 4 0
 Golden Eagles are by far the coolest creatures left on this planet, if you havent seen the video of the golden eagle hunting for goats you must youtube that shit.
  • 2 0
 Stunning! definitely left me with a taste for more! love the combination of rugged adventurous clip with some top notch photography. As an outdoors photographer myself, i know how seriously difficult it is to combine the two!
  • 2 0
 Thanks for this short, and your comments, Joey. If a narrative naturally emerged -- even your own 'on the road' thread -- it would certainly be wonderful to get it down in a longer film version, as it definitely seems like you have many hours of solid footage. Great to see this!
  • 2 0
 I'm not sure what this video is selling, but I'm buying. All of it. So nicely shot but even better editing. All your hard work setting up cameras with freezing hands paid off big time. I haven't been in Mongolia for 14 years but I can remember it so vividly. You'll never forget a trip like that. Seriously well done.
  • 2 0
 Guys, the video you've made - just as your trip - is really exciting. Glad to see such simple places, live emotions and riding without showing off the gear and labels. Great job!
  • 5 1
 @joeyschusler you're living the dream bro and we thank you for bringing us along, always awesome articles and videos!
  • 4 0
 Cheers! Appreciate it.
  • 6 1
 Welp time to quit my desk job.
  • 4 3
 Man that is one insanely epic adventure! Just curious: how do you guys pull this of? Do you have a 'normal' full time job or is this really what you do? I've been on my first 'real' job for almost 8 months now after finishing uni, and wonder everyday whether that is really what I should be doing. The longing for adventure really has never been greater. It's awesome to see that you guys are really doing what life should be all about. Thanks for sharing!!
  • 5 0
 Well, Mason and Sam have somewhat "normal" jobs. Sam is a mountain guide and ski patrol, but blocks off time and funds each year to join on some grand adventures. Mason is an engineer, and also makes the time for adventure. The three of us have been doing this since we were 15 growing up together, in one capacity or another! As for me, I do do this full time... it's by no means a normal job, but it's a ton of work none the less... Like non stop working all the time, but I love it. If you really want to do it, you can make it happen!
  • 3 0
 I'm guessing for Mason it's kinda like "have good friends and be prepared to use all of your vacation at once" or just go in between jobs.
  • 1 0
 @PHeller: Totally. But that's his priority for free time instead of a normal vacation. He's lucky his job gives him a little extra flex because they think the trips are pretty cool.
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler: you guys are lucky to have friends who commit to such adventures.
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler: That's awesome and you guys are very lucky to have a group of like-minded friends too. I've found it very difficult far to find people that are as enthusiastic about adventure as I am. Maybe it has to do with the country I live in. I'll keep my office job for the time being to save some money, and will then start pursuing my dream abroad. Untill that point, I'll keep following your adventures!Seeing this inspires me very much!
  • 3 0
 wow - what a hardcore trip. i was going to bail on my night ride, you know, because it's raining, but this makes me think i should just suck it up and go anyway.
  • 5 0
 The worse the conditions, the better the story! Get after it!
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler: not much compares to what you guys did here. Well done. Can't wait to see more.
  • 4 0
 Just wow! I need to at least move to a place with more mountains!! @beeboo video is worth watching
  • 1 0
 That would be an incredible trip. Meet new people, see new places, and explore what is out of our own country. I would love to do a trip like this!!! Awesome video tup
  • 1 0
 That sounds like an incredible trip ! As usual from you. I've heard plenty of good things about Mongolia, and I wish I could do something like that one day. But I don't have a tenth of the mountain knowledge or biking/kayaking skills that I assume can make a trip like that going well.
  • 1 0
 This is really epic! The story felt natural, the idea was awesome, and the images all came together well. I especially enjoyed the lack of constant voice over (or, really stilted narration, as one normally finds). I'd watch a lot more of this. Would like to know more about just how much a trip like this is same/different than doing it overland/dirtroad style (as is more common, I think). Fantastic.

Also, I've worked on a handful of NatGeo projects. Hit me up if that's really the direction you want to go, and I'm game to reach out.
  • 4 0
 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Can't wait to dive into the next project already Smile

I've begun working with NatGeo Adventure a fair bit, so hopefully more MTB tie ins with projects on that front in the near future!
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: sounds great, good luck!
  • 3 0
 that last pic, if it was an actual yeti instead of an eagle, wouldn't it be something.... nevertheless, a majestic picture!!
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler Really hate that I didn't get to catch up with you at the 5 Points Film Festival in Asheville. Went to the Van Life Rally Thursday with my family, but had to go get in the woods when you did your Q & A session.

Hope you got out for a good rip in Pisgah while you were here.
  • 1 0
 Bummed to miss you too man! It was a great time. Had a blast riding the trails out that way.
  • 5 2
 After watch "the Long Way Around", I've always wanted to visit Mongolia. Seems like a pretty awesome place.
  • 3 0
 Nicest and most friendly people I've ever met... Mongolia is a 10/10. Get there.
  • 3 0
 @joeyschusler

Incredible trip!! Will there be an hour long version of the video?
  • 2 0
 Great stuff, thanks for sharing your experiences! Too bad it seems to be impossible to get a copy of Bike Magazine here in Germany. I would love to see and read more...
  • 2 0
 In a world full of canned adventures, you guys know how to step up.One of my favourite Pinkbike features in recent memory, thanks for the great photos and video.
  • 2 0
 Those birds of prey, the stone statues, the starfield. Throw on some blackened doom.
But those rapids? y'all are damn fools.
  • 4 0
 Mason is a fool. Sam and I portaged around that for sure! haha
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: Haha smart! Great edit and pix.
  • 2 0
 @endlessblockades: Thanks!
  • 2 0
 That video is awesome in every aspect, huge props for doing that trip and documenting it too.
  • 2 0
 Wow. Just wow. Makes me want to ride right now instead of working on my bachelor thesis...
  • 3 0
 Wow that was amazing! Good work!
  • 3 0
 Thank you! That lifted my spirit after a not so good day!
  • 3 0
 Ha, first time I've shed some tears watching a mtn bike video.
  • 4 1
 i'm going to buy a Yeti right now!
  • 3 0
 You lucky, lucky ba'stard's. "as Palin said".
  • 2 0
 I do like the idea of getting myself one of those trail eagles, they look pretty cool.
  • 4 0
 I just wish this trip would have coincided better with the SRAM Eagle launch Smile
  • 2 0
 Go Pro of the WORLD! This is the stuff that should win instead of the Pro Rider submissions.
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler is technically both Pro rider and Pro filmer. Pretty insanely awesome. Wink
  • 1 1
 I've heard that the hawk's eyes are covered because once it can see the sky and found out it is chained by people, it would rather to commit suicide.
  • 2 0
 In Mongolia they train these golden eagles for hunting. The culture goes back centuries and is quite fascinating. Check out this www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3493081/Beak-practice-70-Kazakh-eagle-hunters-4-000-year-old-tradition-alive-unique-bond-clad-skins-wolves-birds-caught.html
  • 2 0
 mongolia looks a lot like scotland. lovely.
  • 1 0
 This seriously needs to be a Series on Discovery Channel. Great video guys!
  • 4 2
 I want to see more of this!!
  • 4 2
 check your zipper, mate! ( incredible photos btw )
  • 4 2
 @BenNbike on va rider avec les mongols?
  • 1 0
 why not peanut!
  • 3 1
 I guess theres a need now for a pack raft that is also a sleeping pad
  • 4 0
 Haha yes, actually that would be awesome. We ran out of room, so we didn't even bring sleeping pads... That was fun for 12 days... Idiots!!! haha
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: Anyways all that matters at the end of a rough day is that you are about to fall asleep
  • 4 1
 Trailforks link please.
  • 4 0
 LOL! We should have used a GPS, instead we just had the only map of the area, a 30 year old Soviet map (rather inaccurate) we printed ourselves from a .jpg found on the internet... Literally one of the most desolate regions on earth.
  • 2 0
 @joeyschusler: Joey check out this app for next time play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atlogis.sovietmaps.free&hl=en
It offers access to all the old Soviet maps plus all the features of a modern GPS - route tracking, uploading tracks, shows your location etc...Super handy, I was in Terelj region for two weeks this summer and it was our goto tool for navigation.
  • 1 0
 @daveflanagan: Woah, awesome! Thanks so much for that beta! Rad.
  • 2 0
 Well I coulda watched that allllll day!
  • 2 0
 What a beautiful country!
  • 2 0
 That's a pretty sweet video.
  • 1 0
 WHY is this not a documentary?! Am I the only one who wants more biking documentaries!?
  • 1 0
 Beautiful video man, and great editing to show the highlights. Really loved the shots of the eagle up close.
  • 2 0
 I love these adventure videos. Keep them coming.
  • 2 0
 Beautiful, it's hard to get back to work now ...
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler- brilliant vid, but also curious about any bike mechanical issues/challenges you had?
  • 2 0
 SO RAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 I kayak and ride so this was a perfect balance
  • 1 0
 Yeti's can handle anything
  • 1 0
 @joeyschusler thanks for making my day better
  • 4 2
 Just joey things
  • 4 2
 Just, wow!
  • 4 2
 I need adventure!!
  • 4 2
 Brilliant , loved it
  • 3 1
 That timelapse..
  • 2 1
 yeti if you see this message bring back 26! i will finally buy a new bike.
  • 2 0
 Wonderuful Adventure!
  • 2 0
 Fabuloso!!!!
  • 1 0
 This is incredible, so beatiful and inspiring. Great work guys!
  • 1 0
 Woowww ! Nice video as the sky are beutiful
  • 1 0
 Wow... amazing adventure.
  • 2 0
 Joey you're a legend!
  • 1 0
 EPIC trip. EPIC edit. Very Very Awesome!!!
  • 1 0
 I was waiting for David Attenborough to kick in......
  • 1 0
 That guy with the bird is my hero.
  • 1 0
 OUTSTANDING! what a way to get out there ! nice !!
  • 1 0
 Instantly one of my fave vids on Pinkbike ever. Awesome!!
  • 1 0
 that's what life is about
  • 3 3
 That wooden bridge though
  • 4 2
 Oh ya,and animals eating out of tires.this is one of the coolest videos I've seen on here in a while
  • 1 0
 So was there biking
  • 5 0
 Yup. But the biking wasn't exactly the point, if we wanted to get our shred on I would have booked a ticket to Whistler. The bike was just the tool for exploring and taking in such a wild place and culture!
  • 1 0
 Amazing trip!
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