Waterfall on the Iskandar River, near Iskanderkul Lake, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan

Waterfall on Iskanderia, one of the main attractions in the vicinity of Lake Iskanderkul and a must-visit for tourists. This waterfall is sometimes called the "Fann Niagara". It is located 800 meters downstream from the Iskanderia River, which flows from Lake Iskanderkul. The prominent scientist-botanist V.I. Lipsky officially mentioned this waterfall in his memoirs.

«Fedot's Mitote» — A Short Story

«You don't know what mitote means?» Sergey asked, surprised. «Man, you're clueless, and you supposedly live in a city. Ever heard of Castaneda?»

«Well, sort of. Something about shamans,» Dmitry mumbled uncertainly.

«See? Clueless. What shamans? It's magic! Castaneda writes about magic and power,» Sergey cut him off. «Power's the main thing, and whoever's better at hunting it gets more of it. Usually you hunt alone, but sometimes hunters get together, take peyote, and meet Mescalito. That's a mitote. So, you in?»

Proper Nutrition on a Hike: The Foundation of Endurance and Good Mood

There's a reason people say the journey is made on a full stomach. A person, like a machine, needs fuel to keep moving forward. The more intense the load—for example, during a long trek with a heavy backpack—the more energy the body expends. A light breakfast that suffices for a quiet day at home will fall short after just a couple of hours on the trail.

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.

Spring Hike to the Waterfalls in Gusgarf, Varzob Gorge, Mountains of Tajikistan

I can't say exactly how many waterfalls there are in Gusgarf, but the most famous ones are two waterfalls: "Pioneer" and "Eagle's Nests". Well, officially, these waterfalls are called the Big Gusgarf Waterfall and the Echo Waterfall, respectively. However, I have been to these waterfalls even three times, as I found another one, let's say, unnamed but quite decent waterfall. I visited these waterfalls at different times, and it was interesting to see how these waterfalls look in spring, when there is a lot of water. So, when spring came, I went to see the waterfalls in Gusgarf.

«Strength and Honor!» — A Fanfiction Story from the Warcraft Universe

Kroghur opened his eyes. A soft light filtered down through the hut's roof, through the gap in the chimney—the sun had not yet risen. From outside came a noise like a disturbed beehive. For years, this sound had instantly stirred Kroghur's fury and the sweet anticipation of battle. The orcish clans of the Horde were preparing for a campaign. Today, like all the mortal races of Azeroth, the orcs were marching against the Burning Legion.

How to Properly Build and Maintain a Fire While Camping

In the wild, fire is your indispensable ally. It provides warmth, cooks your food, illuminates your campsite, and creates a unique atmosphere of comfort. The ability to build a campfire is one of the key skills for any traveler. While it may seem like a complex ritual to many, it ultimately comes down to understanding the principles and thorough preparation.

Alone in the Mountains

In one of my previous posts, I apparently didn't express myself very clearly about hiking in the mountains alone. Some readers assumed it was a forced circumstance and started encouraging me, saying things like, "Don't worry, things will work out, you'll find company eventually."

Hiking to Childukhtaron Pass, Odzhuk Gorge, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

The elongated canyon along the Odzhuk River begins from the Varzob highway, or from the Varzob River if you will. The canyon has many branches that lead to Begar, Kharangon, and Chayka. The official end of the Odzhuk canyon is considered to be the Childukhtar, Kichkine, and Kumkayakutal passes. The first two passes lead to a high mountain plateau with Takoba tributaries, respectively, beyond which lies the Takob canyon. The Kumkayakutal pass leads to the mouth of the Semiganch River, a tributary of the Romit River, and thus to the Romit canyon.

That Time «Something Went Wrong» — A Short Story

Long before I finally set out on this hike, people kept asking me, "Have you been to the Gusgarf Waterfall?" "No," I'd reply, "what waterfall is that?" The descriptions that followed were always colorful, but they all boiled down to the same thing: it was a big one, about thirty meters high, and back in Soviet times it was called "Pionersky" (The Pioneer). Lately, I'd heard another name too — "Ok Kul" — though I can't vouch for that one.