Mountain Hike - a Path to Self-Cleansing and Self-Development

In our modern world, we increasingly encounter problems related to our inner selves. Sometimes we feel insecure, limited, and unable to control our lives. However, when we go to the mountains, we find a way to get rid of this burden and cleanse our inner selves.

Hiking as a Tool to Combat Procrastination

Procrastination is one of the serious cognitive distortions, where a person constantly postpones some action or decision until the last moment and instead engages in something else. Usually, something not particularly important, like checking email, scrolling through social media feeds, or doing other insignificant tasks. They put off unpleasant decisions or difficult tasks until later, thinking that they need to do something else at the moment, and then something else after that, and so on. As a result of this delay, the necessary decisions are not made on time, and what actually needed to be done remains undone. As they say, "put it off until autumn, and then just forget about it."

Physical Preparation for Mountain Hiking: How to Get Your Body in Shape for Beginners

Mountain hiking is a unique way to spend time in the great outdoors, enjoy beautiful scenery, and challenge yourself. However, good physical preparation is necessary for participating in mountain hiking, especially for those who are not leading an active lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss how to prepare your body for mountain hiking and which types of physical activity can help.

Where Stones Breathe: Truth and Fiction about the Mountain Spirits of Tajikistan

The mountainous landscape of Tajikistan is far more than a jumble of rocky peaks and deep gorges. For local people, it is the borderland where the human world ends and the realm of "invisible beings" begins. Myths about mountain spirits are not a relic of paganism; they are the living fabric of a culture, woven into daily life, traditions, and even the unwritten rules of travel.

Navruz — New Day: How Spring is Welcomed from Dushanbe to Tokyo

Every year, on March 21, when night equals day, our planet pauses in anticipation of a miracle. The spring equinox is not just an astronomical event — it is an ancient threshold, beyond which nature sheds the shackles of winter and the world enters a new cycle of life. This day is known in many corners of the Earth, but perhaps the most vibrant and heartfelt traditions belong to the peoples of Central Asia and the Middle East. In Tajikistan, it is called Navruz, which from Persian literally means «new day».

A Name on the Map of the Pamirs: The Short and Brilliant Life of Alexei Fedchenko

Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko (1844–1873) was a distinguished Russian naturalist, explorer, and anthropologist. His pioneering research in geology, zoology, and botany largely laid the foundation for the modern scientific understanding of Central Asia’s nature.

The Snowman (Ghul) in Tajikistan: Mysteries of the Pamirs and the Hissar Range

The Snowman, also known as Ghul, Yeti, Bigfoot, or Almasty, is more than just a legend – it's a phenomenon that has stirred the minds of researchers and mystery lovers for decades. Tajikistan, in this sense, is a special place. Its harsh mountains, the inaccessible peaks of the Pamirs, and the mysterious gorges of the Hissar Range guard many secrets, and the history of searching for the Snowman here goes back decades.

The Perilous Beauty of Lake Sarez. Pamir, Tajikistan

Some natural landmarks are officially off-limits to the public. One such place is the mysterious and formidable Lake Sarez in Tajikistan. A permit from the Committee for Emergency Situations is required for a visit, though I cannot judge how strictly this rule is enforced—I personally haven't been there yet. But I very much wanted to tell the story of this unique and incredibly beautiful lake. To do so, I have gathered information and photographs from open sources. Its poetic name—"The Sleeping Dragon"—perfectly reflects its pristine beauty and hidden threat.

The «House Book» Stone on Lake Iskanderkul

A large boulder lies on the eastern shore of Lake Iskanderkul. Many call it the «House Book». The stone is almost completely covered with inscriptions – short ones, like a name, a year, where the person came from. It's one of the local sights.

The Road of Ten Thousand Li: How the Great Silk Road Was Blazed

The Great Silk Road is not merely an ancient caravan route; it is a whole network of paths that for centuries connected countries and peoples. Its commercial and cultural significance was immense. And it did not emerge spontaneously, as it might seem at first glance — as if merchants simply traveled back and forth and the road somehow formed itself. That is not the case. The Great Silk Road was literally blazed, and it happened twice.

Above Only the Sky: The Story of the First Ascent of Everest

The highest of all peaks, the loftiest point on Earth — Mount Everest. Its official name was given in honour of Major George Everest, head of the Trigonometrical Survey of India. Some say he was a governor, but that’s a myth. The irony? This gentleman never accomplished anything extraordinary and was just a high-ranking official. Yet the mountain bears his name.

The Sandal on the Pamir: A Legend of Bodhidharma

Who Was Bodhidharma? Bodhidharma was the first patriarch of the Chan Buddhist tradition (known in Japan as Zen). He is also called Damo, Daruma, and… the Bearded Barbarian. The last nickname came about naturally. Unlike the clean-shaven Chinese monks, he wore a beard. Moreover, according to legend, he came to preach his teaching in China from India. And the Chinese called all outsiders “barbarians” – hu. Hence “the Bearded Barbarian.”

The Pamir Mountains: The Origin of the Name and Other Interesting Facts

The Pamir mountain system forms a unique planetary junction, where the spurs of Asia's greatest ranges—the Hindu Kush, Tien Shan, Karakoram, and Kunlun—converge. This grand uplift of the Earth's crust neighbors deep depressions, such as the Tarim (Kashgar) Basin. The Pamir is located at the crossroads of several nations: Tajikistan, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. However, its central, highest part, containing the main peaks, lies within the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Ancient Mystery of Mount Olam Jahon

It is, perhaps, less a mystery and more my own speculation — possibly even an overactive imagination. Yet, since there are no definitive answers, let us still call it a “mystery.” So, what is this all about?
During a hike to Mount Olam Jahon, after I had climbed onto the plateau at its summit, I noticed a few oddities — both of the plateau itself and of the peaks situated on it. It is these oddities, and the conclusions I drew while examining them, that I wish to share in this short article.

Fedchenko Glacier: A River of Ice in the Pamirs, in the Heart of the Mountains of Tajikistan

In the northwestern part of the Murghab region, where the Pamir Mountains meet the sky, the peaks of the Yazgulem Range — Peak of the Paris Commune, Peak of the 26 Baku Commissars, and Independence Peak — form a magnificent glacial cirque. It is here, at an altitude of 6,280 meters, that the world’s longest glacier outside the polar regions begins its journey: The Fedchenko Glacier.

Angel Falls (Kerepakupai Merú), Canaima National Park, Bolívar State, Venezuela

Let’s start, shall we, with the name of the highest waterfall on Earth. From its discovery in 1933 until 2009, the world knew it as Angel Falls — after the American pilot Jimmy Angel, who reported it to the National Geographic Society.

Of course, local people had known it long before. They called it Churún Merú — after the Churún River on which it stands. Another name was Aparamay or Apemey, which means “maiden’s eyebrow”.

“God’s Eyes” Cave (Prohodna Cave), Iskar-Panega Eco-Park, Bulgaria

While roaming the web, I stumbled upon a stunning image — a cave with the piercing, eloquent name “God’s Eyes.” I was intrigued immediately.

A quick search brought up a mountain of websites describing this wonder. It turned out to be Prohodna Cave. It lies in Bulgaria, within the Iskar-Panega Eco-Park, near the village of Karlukovo. Just a stone’s throw from Sofia — a mere 112 kilometres. And although I was sincerely impressed, the place felt oddly familiar. A strange feeling, given that I’d never actually been to Bulgaria…

Peak Ismoili Somoni (Communism Peak), Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

The highest point of Tajikistan is Peak Ismoili Somoni, rising 7,495 meters above sea level. It is the highest peak in Central Asia and throughout the entire territory of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Among the world's highest peaks, it ranks fiftieth.

For climbers from the CIS and around the world, Peak Ismoili Somoni is a landmark summit. Many consider it their duty to climb it. More than thirty routes lead to the summit. Some of them are recognized as the most challenging in the world. Their distinctive features are unique technical parameters: a colossal altitude difference of about 2,500 meters and a steepness exceeding fifty percent.

The Burning Darvaza Crater: «Gates of Hell» in the Heart of the Karakum

Sometimes names are as authentic as can be. The word “Darvaza” translates from Persian as “gate.” And who would have thought that a village with such a name in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert would eventually become the site of the very real “Gates of Hell” or “Door to the Underworld”—that is exactly how the burning gas crater of Darvaza is now known.

Heart of the Fann Mountains: Iskanderkul Through the Ages

Lake Iskanderkul, nestled in the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan, holds not only icy waters but also a rich history stretching back centuries. It is believed that the lake was named after Alexander the Great, who in local tradition was called Iskander Zulqarnain — “the Two-Horned” — after his helmet adorned with two horns.