Chapter 4: On Chicken Street in Kabul from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
On the Afghan side of the Panj, just like on the Tajik side, there was a small settlement near the bridge. To avoid being seen, I didn't approach it but immediately headed towards the road. Of the main roads, only one led south from the bridge—first to Kunduz, and then on to Kabul. I ran alongside this road, not getting too close, but not losing sight of it either.

Chapter 3: The Pursuit Continues from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Nursultan, the driver who had taken the Englishmen to the city, didn't show up until the next morning. He said he'd arrived during the night and needed to rest. I was glad he'd appeared at all—he could have simply gone about his business and never come. I asked him about the Englishmen. He said he'd dropped them off at the "Sheraton." He also mentioned they had argued the entire way, especially the red-haired one, who seemed to be fighting with everyone. There were four of them, including the redhead. Nursultan left them at the hotel; he didn't know what they did after that because he went straight to the taxi stand. This stand was in the northern part of the city, the only place he could find passengers for the return trip in the direction he needed.

Chapter 2: The Lake of Spirits from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
My path now led to another point of interest—Lake Payron, also known as the Lake of the Peris. Another name is the Lake of Fairies or Spirits. It refers to the beautiful peris, spirits from Eastern folklore who always appear to humans in the form of alluring women. Peris more or less correspond to fairies in Western tradition, though those are usually small, while peris are human-sized. In principle, it's all mythology—where does one find exact correspondences?

Chapter 1: The Gorge of Fear from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
I only drank coffee in the morning—I wasn't hungry. I packed up the tent, stowed everything in my backpack, and headed back to the trail. I went down along the old caravan route. By evening, I was in the village, found a guesthouse—there turned out to be several here. I chose the one on the eastern side. Later, I would need to head east anyway, to the abandoned settlement—rumors were circulating about strange happenings there. But all that could wait; for now, I needed to recover. And that meant meat and alcohol.

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.

Hills behind Victory Park in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Decided to take a walk to the hills behind Victory Park. Overall, the hike didn't go very well, I chose the wrong time, didn't equip myself properly. Also, I didn't fully decide on the final destination of the route, just stood up and started walking. Of course, I didn't get anywhere. As Seneca said: For a ship without a destination, no wind is favorable. In the end, I sat on the top of one of the hills and then went back. I didn't feel like taking photos anymore. Interestingly, when you are not interested, nothing interesting comes your way... haha, that's life.

How to Tie Knots and Make Rope Gear While Hiking

Knot-tying is one of the most valuable skills for any outdoors enthusiast. However, it requires having rope on hand, which is a resource always in limited supply. To be truly prepared for the challenges of the wild, it's crucial to learn how to create your own cordage—thread, cords, and ropes—from natural materials. Fortunately, this is easier than it seems, and this skill will prove useful far more often than you might think.

Building a Shelter for a Camping Trip

From the most primitive wigwam to the tallest skyscraper, all human-made structures serve the same fundamental role: to provide protection from rain and snow and to retain warmth. You don't need to be an architect to build a simple shelter. By mastering a few basic principles, you'll be amazed at the variety of man-made refuges you can create.

Natural Shelters for an Overnight Hike

Modern tents are a fantastic invention. But what should you do if you don't have a tent with you? Perhaps you've gotten lost in the woods, or maybe you've just decided to test your skills and build a shelter from whatever you can find in the forest. This is not only an exciting challenge but also an invaluable experience that will give you unforgettable memories.

The Art of Choosing the Perfect Campsite

Your tent is your home away from home on a hiking trip. It's where you sleep, rest, and take shelter from rain and wind. The success of your camp largely depends on how well you choose the spot. Don't skip spending 10-15 minutes scouting the area—it will save you hours of sleep and a lot of frustration. Since a perfect site is rare, it's crucial to know which compromises are acceptable and which are not.