Hiking the Odzhuk Circuit, Varzob, mountains of Tajikistan

I completed a solo trek along the Odzhuk loop. The route, as the name suggests, passes through the Odzhuk gorge in Varzob, Tajikistan. To complete this route, one must hike through the entire Odzhuk gorge up to the Kichkine pass, then traverse the plateau to the Childukhtarun pass and descend back into Odzhuk. Ideally, this route can be completed in two days with one overnight stay, but since I was alone and taking my time, climbing and taking photos wherever I could, my trek took three days and two nights.

Prologue: The Ice Witch’s Lake from Bear Metamorphoses

The going was tough—the altitude was taking its toll. I had walked about fifty meters down from the highest point of the pass saddle and found the spot where the creature had presumably attacked its victim. For now, we’ll just call it a creature. We’ll figure out what it really is later. So, the attack site was identified: a rocky outcrop jutted above the trail, perfect for an ambush. I examined it—just as I thought. I found a secluded niche from which a stale, nauseating smell emanated. It was logical to assume the creature had been coming here from the eastern side of the road.

Maintaining General Hygiene on a Camping Trip

While each person is responsible for their own personal hygiene, when in a camp or on a hike, everyone must also be accountable for communal, or general, hygiene.

Waste Disposal

When setting up camp, designate a waste collection area with separate zones for kitchen wastewater, biodegradable waste, and non-biodegradable waste.

Hiking from Begar Gorge to Odjuk Along the Ridge Between Takob and Odjuk, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

Spontaneous hike, when it was offered to me, I didn't really know where we would end up or how we would get there. Despite the uncertainty, the hike turned out to be very successful. There were a lot of impressions, first of all, intriguing old mine tunnels at the beginning of the hike. Secondly, it was very interesting to walk along the watershed ridge, looking down at the gorges that I had already walked through many times at the bottom.

Personal Hygiene in Camping Conditions

The word "hygiene" originates from the name of the ancient Greek goddess of health, Hygieia. And this is no coincidence, as maintaining cleanliness is not just a matter of convenience, but the foundation of well-being, especially when away from home. In camping or stationary camp conditions, where people are in close contact, any infection spreads rapidly. It only takes one person to fall ill to jeopardize the entire group's outing. Therefore, hygiene rules in nature are a matter of collective safety and comfort.

Hike to Adit in the Beggar Gorge, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

We decided to hike from the Beggar gorge to the Ojuk gorge and wander around the ridge separating them. During this hike, we stumbled upon abandoned mines in the Beggar gorge. These abandoned mines, where fluorite used to be extracted, seemed interesting to me, so I decided to dedicate a separate photo review to them. I have already come across old mines in the Varzob gorge. Just this year, I did a photo review of such a hike, which can be viewed here if anyone is interested.".

New Year's Tangerines - Short story

The evening of December 31st didn't feel at all like New Year's. It was snowing or raining, and a gusty icy wind made things worse. Huddled up, I walked along the sidewalk, cursing the wretched weather, the new year, and my boss who had made me stay late at work. By the way, they still hadn't given us our advance pay. Now I'll have to wait for my salary, and that won't be until after the New Year holidays. I barely had any money left. At least I managed to buy some food for the New Year's table in advance.

"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.