First Aid in the Mountains: Skills That Can Save a Life

In the wilderness, far from civilization and city hospitals, the ability to administer first aid becomes more than just a useful skill—it becomes a necessity. When you are in the mountains, there is no ambulance that can arrive in ten minutes. This is why the responsibility for the health and life of the group lies with every single member.

Chapter 17: The Enigmatic Killer Spirit from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
The journey took a couple of hours. We walked along the far-left tributary—if looking from the center where the streams converged to form the main channel of the Ziddy River. Ugh, I keep slipping into the familiar names, but this isn’t the river I know. The dwellings of the settlement stretched almost to the eternal snow line, falling just short of it. This was truly a remote place, set apart from the main cluster of homes. The distances between them were even greater here. There must have been a reason for that, though such dispersion only worked in the killer’s favor.

Wildlife Photography and Videography on the Trail: A Practical Guide

When you're hiking in the mountains or trekking through the wilderness, you'll inevitably want to capture what you see: a majestic sunrise over the peaks, a curious marmot peeking from behind a rock, or your group crossing a rushing river. With today's technology, capturing these moments is easy, but making your shots truly come alive requires more than just pressing a button. Here's how to photograph nature and wildlife properly so your photos and videos bring back memories for years to come.

Night Vision: How to Observe Animals in the Dark

Night is a special time in the wilderness. The world grows quiet, but it doesn't fall asleep: many animals are most active after dark. For a hiker or nature enthusiast, observing them is a unique opportunity. But there's one problem: the human eye isn't well adapted to nighttime conditions. To feel confident in the forest after sunset, you need to understand how your vision works and how to adjust it.

The Art of Tracking: How to Observe Wild Animals

Wanting to observe an animal in the wild is one thing, but simply following its tracks isn't enough. For forest dwellers, humans have always been the ultimate predator, so they are constantly on high alert: listening, sniffing the air, and assessing whether a threat is near. Their survival depends on their ability to hide. Our task, in turn, is to outsmart them using equally sophisticated methods.

Chapter 16: The Settlement of the Snow People from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
After sitting and thinking on the spur, I descended back into the gorge where Uga was waiting for me. He showed no signs of impatience — he just sat there, staring into nothingness. Interesting, are they all this calm, or is my escort just special? As soon as I descended, he silently stood up and walked in the direction he had intended before I climbed the spur, turning right.

Whose Tracks? How to Read Hidden Animal Signs

Tracking is a true art. It takes more than just looking at the ground — you need to understand animal behavior, decipher prints, and know where to look for each forest dweller. The tracker's golden rule: study the theory first, then head out.

The Art of Observation: From Kim's Game to Finding Trail Signs

Before you can track anyone, you must know how to look. And to master camouflage, you need to understand how other creatures perceive a human. This may seem like a simple task—after all, we are constantly looking at things, aren't we? In reality, looking and seeing are two different things. True observation is a skill that must be learned and then trained relentlessly. You can refine it endlessly.

The Art of Animal Observation and the Secrets of Trackers

"Observing animals is incredibly fascinating, and tracking a stoat is often no easier than tracking a lion," noted Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement. When we go on a hike, we enter territory that belongs not to us, but to hundreds of other living beings. To many, a forest seems empty and silent, but this impression is deceptive. You just need to know where to look and how to notice. Then a whole world full of amazing creatures will open up before you.

Chapter 15: Encounter with the Snowman from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Upon waking, I lay motionless for a few moments, scanning my surroundings. Everything seemed normal; the warning ward hadn't been triggered. I crawled out of the tent and went about my usual morning routine. The entire time I was doing my warm-up exercises, drinking coffee, and breaking camp, nothing happened, and I no longer felt that foreign attention. Alright, time to move on.