Temps normally were not that bad..but as in most mountains, it changes rapidly and often..sun shinning and 2 hours later, snowing and wind blowing..the biggest item was the wind..always really blowing up on the mtn..25-30 MPH or more most days...which kept it cool if you sat for a while..

Yes..as to "at what cost to the general population"..my thoughts as well..when talking to the English speaking guide, he told me it is very very difficult and costly to get or own a firearm there..which, in my mind immediately says, what/why is the government so scared/worried of its own people??

From what I saw and experienced, corruption even on the simplest level is common place..everyone has to get their palms greased to make things happen, especially hunting..

Having said that, in my experience, in general the people seem much better off than they did over in Kyrgyzstan when I was there a cple years back..that place is IMHO, horrible..lots of poverty, streets and buildings in desperate need of repair, etc...and even more so corrupt...they tried to shake me down just going through security to get on the plane...not to mention the issue at camp when we actually loaded our rifles..

I would recommend anyone traveling to any of these countries to relax, sit back and expect to pay ..

but again, certainly worth the price in this case..

Ripp