Dan Astin Livingston Enterprise

Some 621 miles of harsh terrain in the saddle for six to 10 days. Vast temperature swings from morning frost to the fiery furnace of the unbridled August sun. Isolation.

This extreme environment is endemic to the high altitude Mongolian Steppe in Asia's Far East. In addition to dislocating his shoulder from falling off a semi-wild horse, these challenges did not stop Livingston resident Dennis Alverson, 53, from achieving second place in the annual Mongol Derby.

The competition, which ended on Aug. 13, is the world’s longest and most grueling horse race, according to Guinness World Records.

"I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Alverson, a fishing guide and owner of DD Enterprises, a local road, dust control and ice management service.

A

See Full Page