Approaching a centennial celebration, it seems that the fitness of mountain people is inherent through to old age.  

At-Tar (horses) - Shepherding at the foothills of the First May Mountains. "Horse" in Kyrgyzstan is called "At" (horse) – or "Attar" (horses)

Young boy with horses at the foothills of the Mountains, near Lake Issyk Kul, Naryn District, Krygyzstan. "Horse" in Kyrgish is called "At" (horse) – or "Attar" (horses)

Horses being exercised at 6 o'clock early-morning by the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Vendor in Osh Market, Bishkek. From a collection of portraits from a rural community, deep in Kyrgyzstan At Bashi district. Part of a research medical study funded by The Wellcome Institute and enabled by Dr. Rupert Jones at Plymouth University.

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, next to the old Soviet sanatorium.

There is a ravine - high up in the mountains south of Lake Issyk-Kul.

A generation of four in a Kyrgyz rural community A collection of portraits from a rural community, deep in Kyrgyzstan At Bashi district. Part of a research medical study funded by The Wellcome Institute and enabled by Dr. Rupert Jones at Plymouth University.  

A woman spinning yarn in At-Bashi Market, A collection of portraits from a rural community, deep in Kyrgyzstan At Bashi district. Part of a research medical study funded by The Wellcome Institute and enabled by Dr. Rupert Jones at Plymouth University.  

A veteran horse-riding champion from the Nomad Games at the foothills of the First May Mountains. Foothills of the First-May Mountains, near At-Bashi, Naryn District, Krygyzstan. "Horse" in Kyrgyzstan is called "At" (horse) – or "Attar" (horses)  

Osh Market, Bishkek in Krygyzstan. A bustling treasure trove of exotic goods can be found...

Osh - Central market of Bishkek in Krygyzstan. Osh Market, Bishkek in Krygyzstan. A bustling treasure trove of exotic goods can be found...

Looking across the Torugart Pass from Kyrgyzstan into China, adjacent to Tash Rabat, an ancient caravanserai on the Silk Road.

Mosque and old Russian vehicle spewing smoke. Ak-Muz, driving towards the Chinese border.

Mother and daughter collecting water outside the village in Naryn District.

Portrait of Afghani man in traditional Krygz nomad hat. Islamadeen Wahan Jackmaqdeen from the village of Baizambi, Afganistan.

Street vendor making and selling Kumis – a fermented dairy product made from mare's milk. Ironic considering her apron says Nashzce Pivo (beer) Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan

Yurts on the Mountainside: Looking over the river towards Ozgorush, on the road to Bosogo from At-Bashi, Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan. This pass leads to the Chinese border a few kilometres away.

Shepherding at the foothills of the Mountainside near Bosogo, Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan. This pass leads to the Chinese border a few kilometres away.

Shepherding at the foothills of the Mountainside near Bosogo, Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan. This pass leads to the Chinese border a few kilometres away.

The local doctor (left) and farmer (right) inside a traditional Kyrgish interior – playing the heroic, traditional Kyrgish instrument: the Komuz.

A veteran horse-riding champion from the Nomad Games at the foothills of the First May Mountains. Foothills of the First-May Mountains, near At-Bashi, Naryn District, Krygyzstan.