New Year’s Tangerines — A Short Story

The evening of December 31st didn’t feel festive at all. A sleet of icy pellets was falling from the sky, and a gusty wind made everything worse. Huddled against it, I walked down the sidewalk, cursing the weather, New Year’s, and my boss who’d made me stay late at work—where, by the way, they hadn’t given me my advance pay. Now I’d have to wait for my salary until after the holidays, and I had next to nothing left. At least I’d bought the New Year’s groceries ahead of time.

"Iron" Rations: What to Take on a Hike for an Emergency

When heading out on a hike, it's important to anticipate unforeseen circumstances, such as running out of provisions. For this very reason, experienced hikers have an "emergency reserve" — special foods that provide a lot of slowly released energy, are lightweight, and have a long shelf life. Classic examples of this "iron" ration, tried and tested by scouts and travelers, are pemmican and pinole. They are quick to prepare, can be stored for years, and can help you endure a difficult situation.

Iskanderkul Lake, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan

Iskanderkul in the Fann Mountains is probably the most famous and photographed lake in Tajikistan. I had the chance to visit there and, of course, take pictures of this beautiful mountain lake. We stayed at Iskanderkul for a few days, walking around the lake and its surroundings. We were very lucky with the weather, we swam and sunbathed, and only on the last day did clouds appear and it started to rain. In the end, we had a great time, and I put together this and several other photo reviews of our outings in the area, as well as a separate detailed article about the description and legends of Iskanderkul Lake.

Hydration on the Trail: How to Find, Purify, and Drink Water Correctly

The human body is resilient, but without water, it cannot survive more than a few days. Water forms the foundation of our bodies and is involved in all vital processes. We lose over 3 liters of fluid daily, and under hiking conditions—due to physical exertion, heat, cold, and altitude—these losses increase significantly. Replenishing them is a top priority.

Hike in the Arg Gorge, near Lake Iskanderkul, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan

In the Fan Mountains of Tajikistan, near Iskanderkul Lake, there is a river called Arg, which gives its name to the gorge. The Arg River is a tributary of the Sarytag River and one of the rivers that feeds Iskanderkul Lake. We were interested specifically in the Arg River, which is sometimes spelled ArX on maps, but I am more accustomed to ArG. We drove from the "Iskanderkul" tourist base to a fork in the road and continued on foot. From the beginning of the gorge, where the Arg River flows into the Sarytag, it was about four kilometers to the area we were interested in.

How to Choose the Right Food for a Hike

The choice of food for a hike depends entirely on your itinerary and ability to carry gear. If you're backpacking and covering long distances on foot, the priority is lightweight, compact food. For a stationary basecamp accessible by car, you can afford a much wider and heavier range of provisions.

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.

Snake Lake near Iskanderkul Lake, Fann Mountains, Tajikistan

Another famous landmark near Iskanderkul Lake is Snake Lake. It has been named so by numerous tourists who believed that there must be a large number of snakes in its stagnant water. While there are indeed snakes, they are not more abundant than elsewhere, they are simply more visible due to the transparent water. Snake Lake is not its only name, as the lake has several others including Vernikul, Serima-darun, and Morkul....

Stories of Shaal: Evening in the Barrens - A Fanfiction Story from the Warcraft Universe

The dry air of the stony desert turned rapidly from scorching to cold as evening approached. Shaal of the Stone Hoof, a tauren shaman from Thunder Bluff, had traveled from Mulgore to these harsh lands for a single purpose: to gather a particular type of small mushroom for his smoking mixture. To better commune with the spirits of the elements.

Why Hot Food on the Trail is a Necessity

You can survive on cold rations, but a hot meal at the end of the day truly warms you up, restores your energy, and boosts your spirits. It becomes a crucial element of survival, helps a team bond around the fire, and provides the strength to overcome challenges. Furthermore, heat treatment not only makes food tastier but also sanitizes it by killing harmful microbes and toxins. Knowing how to cook in the wild is key to staying healthy and feeling good.