The Irbis and the Yak
We are Malene Hein and Marco Ponti. We met eachother in the mountains in Kazakhstan in 2009 and lived together in Almaty until September 2011. Then the company of Malene moved their offices from Almaty to Aktau, 2000 km to the west. Malene moved back to Copenhagen while Marco stayed in Kazakhstan and so it was clear that something had to happen to change this situation. In December 2011 we made the first plans for our trip around the world.
In Almaty we lived at the feet of the steep and wild Tien Shan mountains. This is Almaty seen from an airplane:
This is the view from our balcony in Almaty:
The Yak (Marco) got his name because he always had to make the path through the deep snow and had to carry the heaviest load, here climbing up to the “3 brothers” in winter:
But he is also called the yak because of a certain resemblance with the local yaks…..(here one of his brothers from Almaty):
We share a passion for the mountains and in Almaty we found the perfect playground for living our passion. Every weekend, summer and winter, we would go to the mountains.
We decided that also our trip around the world should have a mountain theme and so we will try to climb as many nice mountains as possible along the way.
whereistheyak
Whereistheyak's Blog 
March 10th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
All the best of luck with your adventures!!
Please keep me updated 🙂
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Romantic … We should see eachother when in calgary/banff!!
May 9th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Well, enjoy or diertes from a Bergamasc fan living in the US.
I will follow you guys from your nice website so I can escape mentally from my office desk. Ciao Fabio
May 9th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I just read the article on “L’eco di Bergamo” and I recognised both of you…I served you some food some days ago..! 😉
I remind I thought you look like a strange beautiful couple, the kind of people that really look like saying “I really FOUND him/her”.
Reading about your choice of life confirms me that you’re really brave, just for what you will leave, without fear.
You inspire. 🙂
I will follow you! Good luck
May 11th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Hi Vale!
Fantastic to meet you again here on our blog 🙂
We are very happy to know that we are being followed by you. All our best wishes for you and please let us know what comes out of the inspiration 😉
Ciao,
Malene & Marco
May 28th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Hi Malene. We have great mountains in Rio de Janeiro – let us know if you pass us on your adventures through the mountains of the world 🙂
Katrine&Teit
May 28th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Hi Katrine and Teit!
We will let you know for sure!!! Hope all is well and that Teit rules on the beaches of Rio 😉
Malene and Marco
May 30th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Dear Malene, I was away when you had your farewell in the office, so unfortunately I did not get to meet Frida and say a proper godbye. You two are my heros, for quitting your job and following your passion. I actually get goosebumps when I think about how cool it is. Good luck on your adventure! :0) your ex-colleague susanne
July 17th, 2012 at 5:56 am
Hi Malene!
Great pictures and interesting trips! I envy you!
Take care,
Hank
July 17th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Thank you Hank 🙂 keep following us!
August 13th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Bon voyage, frk. klokkespiller. Husk den plisserede nederdel fra Vejle pigegarde!
August 13th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Den lille plisserede gør sig rigtig godt her på stranden i Mexico! Tak 😉
September 6th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Fantastic 🙂
January 8th, 2013 at 10:37 am
Nice to meet you Marco!!!
Congratulation for the Trip!!!
Abrazos
Camilo Rebouças – Brasil (Cordon del Plata)
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:45 pm
It was a pleasure for us as well! Climbed Aconcagua and now in El Chalten to enjoy awesome patagonian views!!!
Let´s keep in touch!
April 6th, 2013 at 8:21 am
Hi guys, we are glad to see and read your blog. I already sent our common pictures in Torres del Paine (Camp. Brittanico) to Malenes emaiaddress. It was very memorable moment to get know with you guys. Lets keep in touch. Natalie and Michael Lobzhanidze (Rotterdam)
April 8th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Hi guys!!! First of all thanks for the pictures (amazing)! And also for us it was a great experience to meet you in such a nice scenery!!!! we´ll answer you with more details to the email you sent to Malene´s address!!! A hug and continue following us!
Marco and Malene
May 27th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Kære Malene
1000 tak for billedet af Mariko og famile, jeg blev rigtig glad for det en sød familie, syntes ikke kunne genkende manden. den 23.5. fik jeg dit kort til min fødselsdag, 1000 tak hvor var det bare dejligt at få en hilsen fra jer.
Jeg tror og ved at I har oplevet meget, er spændt på den dag i kommer hjem og vi skal høre og se jeres oplevelser i de forskellige dele af verden.
Stor knus og mange kærlige tanker til jer begge ønskes i af Hanni
May 31st, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Kære Hanni
Det er jeg glad for at høre! Nu mangler du bare at få dig en lille computer og en email adresse 😉 hvad siger Jan til det?
Stort knus!
September 1st, 2013 at 1:46 am
Hola amigos!!!
A superb adventure and a wonderful blog! … all those places – what a wonderful world that you have seen and experienced together … you are an exceptional couple in a lot of ways
I haven’t been in touch for a while but think about the two of you a lot!
I need to get back to my Italian language learning, preferably in Italy in the fall … there are two friends who live there that I am really looking forward to seeing :-)) soon
… two hugs for each of you … and a third for Malene!!
keep smilin’!!
Al
September 8th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Hi Al! Always a pleasure to receive your news! And you are as always a gentleman able to warm up our hearts…especially the Malene’s one ;-D
In Italy you will be our guest without any excuse! We will make your stay unforgettable, with italian language, food and sightseeing!!! We are waiting for you!!!!
A big hug,
Malene and Marco
April 2nd, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Hope you guys are doing well.
Off to climb Denali next month.
Roland
April 5th, 2014 at 1:42 pm
Hi Roland!!!!
What a pleasure to receive your message!!!!
Yes, we are doing well, leaving and working in Copenhagen and climbing a lot of mountains in Europe!!!
Wow!!!! We are very happy you are going to climb Denali! It will be a very good experience and we are sure you will succeed!! We are with you!!!! FORZA ROLAND!!!!!
Hope to hear from you very soon with good news!!!
A big hug,
Marco and Malene