Snow-less valley of Yedyghem, Altay

A winter campfire without any snow to dig, for a change! Crosser's turn on kitchen duty. By mid-winter, the snow disappears in the middle reaches of Yedyghem, which is conveniently used as winter range for yaks by local Telengit herdsmen. The snow just evaporates into the valley's chilly but dry air. The river ice does not become suitable for skiing until the confluence with Argut, so we settle for packing skis on the frozen dirt trail amidst yellow grass. Day 13 of our March 1988 ski backpack.