Chapter 20: The Div, the Raven, and the Log from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
The next morning, an unexpected problem arose: I couldn't decide what to take with me. The ingredients for catching the unknown spirit were clear enough, but the rest... Packing for a full-scale expedition seemed pointless—I had a place to stay in the settlement, and they'd feed me if necessary. However, the journey was through the mountains, and it was better to be safe than sorry. So I sat there, racking my brains about what to take and which backpack to pack it all in. I could manage with a small one, but what if I needed extra space?

Gorge with a Waterfall at the 50km Mark, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

Back in mid-October, I had the chance to visit a small but very intriguing gorge near the 50th kilometer of the Varzob highway. I can’t say exactly which kilometer it was—it completely slipped my mind to check. On the way back, I asked the driver; he gave an answer, though he didn’t seem entirely sure, so let’s just say it’s in the vicinity of the 50km mark in the Varzob Gorge. Regardless, the hike happened, which means it’s time for a photo review.

What diseases you should know about before going on a mountain trek

When preparing for a trek, we usually think about routes, weather, and gear. But health is a traveler's most important asset, and in the mountains, it faces unique challenges. Far from civilization, with changing climates and high altitude, your body experiences stress. In some countries, particularly in Asia or Africa, you may also encounter infectious environments unfamiliar to you.

Chapter 19: The Gift of the Stone from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Approaching the elder's dwelling, I saw him in the yard. He was sitting on the stones by the entrance, talking to the girl who brought me food. Spotting me, he said something else to her—apparently finishing the conversation. She nodded and immediately dashed off. So, she always ran like that. By then, I had reached him.

First Aid on a Hike: Burns, Overheating, and Hypothermia

Our body is an amazing system that can effectively maintain a constant temperature. And there are good reasons for this. As I already wrote in the guide on temperature conditions, the critical threshold for a person ranges from 28.8 °C (fatal hypothermia) to 42.7 °C (fatal overheating). But even a slight deviation from the ideal 36.8 °C makes us feel extremely uncomfortable.

First Aid for Fractures and Dislocations in a Mountain Hike

In the wilderness, far from the city, it's crucial to be able to distinguish a serious injury from a minor bruise and provide proper first aid before medics arrive or you can transport the victim. Let's look at two of the most complex cases: fractures and dislocations.

First Aid for Wounds on a Hike: A Survival Guide

In a hiking or camping environment, even a tiny scratch can turn into a serious problem. The main dangers associated with any skin injury are the risk of infection (sepsis) and severe blood loss. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly and correctly.

Chapter 18: In the Spiral of Search from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
The following days blurred into one another. Each morning, I shifted into the wolf and roamed the surrounding area. I had divided the territory into sectors and chose one each day, combing through it in a spiral pattern, increasing the radius as I moved further from the center of the settlement. I ended up with eight sectors—and for eight days, I ran through them. But even this thorough search yielded nothing. The only positive was that I learned a great deal about the lives of these snow people.

First Aid for Choking: The Heimlich Maneuver on a Hike

Even in the fresh air of the wilderness, a good appetite hits hard, and eating at a camp or rest stop is one of the great pleasures of hiking. But in the mountains or forest, whether you're in a hurry or just distracted by conversation, it's easy to forget to chew your food thoroughly. It's in these moments that choking is most likely to happen: a piece of food goes down the wrong pipe, blocking the trachea and cutting off the airway.

Wilderness First Aid: How to Handle Fainting and Rescue Breathing

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial when hiking or camping. Knowing basic life-saving techniques can mean the difference between life and death while waiting for professional medical help. Here is a guide to handling two critical situations: unconsciousness and stopped breathing.

First Aid in the Mountains: Skills That Can Save a Life

In the wilderness, far from civilization and city hospitals, the ability to administer first aid becomes more than just a useful skill—it becomes a necessity. When you are in the mountains, there is no ambulance that can arrive in ten minutes. This is why the responsibility for the health and life of the group lies with every single member.

Chapter 17: The Enigmatic Killer Spirit from Bear Metamorphoses

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The journey took a couple of hours. We walked along the far-left tributary—if looking from the center where the streams converged to form the main channel of the Ziddy River. Ugh, I keep slipping into the familiar names, but this isn’t the river I know. The dwellings of the settlement stretched almost to the eternal snow line, falling just short of it. This was truly a remote place, set apart from the main cluster of homes. The distances between them were even greater here. There must have been a reason for that, though such dispersion only worked in the killer’s favor.

Wildlife Photography and Videography on the Trail: A Practical Guide

When you're hiking in the mountains or trekking through the wilderness, you'll inevitably want to capture what you see: a majestic sunrise over the peaks, a curious marmot peeking from behind a rock, or your group crossing a rushing river. With today's technology, capturing these moments is easy, but making your shots truly come alive requires more than just pressing a button. Here's how to photograph nature and wildlife properly so your photos and videos bring back memories for years to come.

Night Vision: How to Observe Animals in the Dark

Night is a special time in the wilderness. The world grows quiet, but it doesn't fall asleep: many animals are most active after dark. For a hiker or nature enthusiast, observing them is a unique opportunity. But there's one problem: the human eye isn't well adapted to nighttime conditions. To feel confident in the forest after sunset, you need to understand how your vision works and how to adjust it.

The Art of Tracking: How to Observe Wild Animals

Wanting to observe an animal in the wild is one thing, but simply following its tracks isn't enough. For forest dwellers, humans have always been the ultimate predator, so they are constantly on high alert: listening, sniffing the air, and assessing whether a threat is near. Their survival depends on their ability to hide. Our task, in turn, is to outsmart them using equally sophisticated methods.

Chapter 16: The Settlement of the Snow People from Bear Metamorphoses

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After sitting and thinking on the spur, I descended back into the gorge where Uga was waiting for me. He showed no signs of impatience — he just sat there, staring into nothingness. Interesting, are they all this calm, or is my escort just special? As soon as I descended, he silently stood up and walked in the direction he had intended before I climbed the spur, turning right.

Whose Tracks? How to Read Hidden Animal Signs

Tracking is a true art. It takes more than just looking at the ground — you need to understand animal behavior, decipher prints, and know where to look for each forest dweller. The tracker's golden rule: study the theory first, then head out.

The Art of Observation: From Kim's Game to Finding Trail Signs

Before you can track anyone, you must know how to look. And to master camouflage, you need to understand how other creatures perceive a human. This may seem like a simple task—after all, we are constantly looking at things, aren't we? In reality, looking and seeing are two different things. True observation is a skill that must be learned and then trained relentlessly. You can refine it endlessly.

The Art of Animal Observation and the Secrets of Trackers

"Observing animals is incredibly fascinating, and tracking a stoat is often no easier than tracking a lion," noted Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement. When we go on a hike, we enter territory that belongs not to us, but to hundreds of other living beings. To many, a forest seems empty and silent, but this impression is deceptive. You just need to know where to look and how to notice. Then a whole world full of amazing creatures will open up before you.

Chapter 15: Encounter with the Snowman from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Upon waking, I lay motionless for a few moments, scanning my surroundings. Everything seemed normal; the warning ward hadn't been triggered. I crawled out of the tent and went about my usual morning routine. The entire time I was doing my warm-up exercises, drinking coffee, and breaking camp, nothing happened, and I no longer felt that foreign attention. Alright, time to move on.