Notes from a crazy tourist

Same age! Do you remember our song: ...there is no better guy in this world than the Komsomol of the 60s? If you haven’t grown old in soul, if you have like-minded people among your grandchildren or children, if it’s not too expensive for you to carve out about 2000 UAH for everything, go to the Carpathians and check yourself. Prove to yourself that you are still worth something!

And if you decide, do not disdain some advice from your acquired experience (but do not take them as unshakable truths):

• don't worry about inventory. Taking into account the rental of a backpack and a mat, I paid 1280 UAH
• before leaving, ask the instructor to set up your backpack, only on the third day I learned that it is worn on the hips, not on the shoulders
• try to carry products that are consumed first, actively “promote” them on parking lots. Remember, the most ungrateful burden is a tent!
• be sure to cut out a stick, but just one, don’t occupy both hands
• if your health allows, stay close to the vanguard. It’s hard, but what a thrill it is to collapse under your backpack at the top and watch how those “...whose peaks are still ahead” are swarming somewhere below!
• don’t leave before distributing porridge, you can “fly”, everyone gets it from the boiler themselves
• no need to carry the recommended 2 liters of water, 1 is enough, water is everywhere
• if your tent is cooking tomorrow porridge, hide some dry branches, there is always heavy dew in the morning
• before each exit, meticulously check the route to decide on the shoes. In sandals it’s great to walk on level ground or uphill, and crossing streams is just great. But on the descents... Dress lightly - the backpack will keep you warm. And know that the 100 m promised by Slavik easily turns into 500 or more - without being upset that the climb seems too steep and long - the descents are much harder
• of the medications, the most popular are for indigestion and muscle soreness, and most importantly, patches
• grab a few bags of soup and coffee sticks, you won’t regret the cocoa. Don't take any food!
• bring a diode flashlight, preferably a headlamp
• it only rained on the first day, but the poncho cape helped a lot. Yura says that an ordinary umbrella is convenient. What if it’s windy?
• if you are walking with your grandchildren (children), agree to walk next to them, you will turn your head and worry less
• remember, there are advanced young people around you! Don’t pretend to be a seasoned veteran, don’t push yourself with advice. They should ask themselves. But they will listen to your tales around the fire with pleasure. It is advisable to make homemade “blanks” and put them in a prominent place in your brain. But don’t ask for concessions in the form of a light backpack, etc. Clamp your dentures tighter and prove that there is still gunpowder in the flasks
• intimate (forgive the naturalism) - go to the bushes with some water. It was not for nothing that Asians walked around with a jug, and considered their left hand (the one used for washing) to be unclean. Blot dry with a scarf. Otherwise, you can grate the “buns”. Grab baby cream

And now about clothes:

• I had a T-shirt and a T-shirt with wide shoulders at the crossings, changing them at every stop. I put on the dry one, and attached the wet one on top of the backpack.
• Slavik’s interesting know-how: he cut a T-shirt to look like a woman’s top, the stomach and back breathe freely and don’t float under the fabric
• a great thing is a neckerchief: it’s both a towel at hand and will cover your neck from the sun
• did not remove the radiculitis belt, just warming. It wonderfully absorbs sweat and dries quickly
• the so-called “asshole” is highly desirable (alas, I haven’t heard the cultural name)
• pants are better than the “family” type, but you need swimming trunks to swim in the river (if your nerves can stand it)
• my old winter vest, thank you!
• in the evening, if you have a guitar, enjoy Slavik’s solo concert, and especially the song “Striy-Frankivsk Train”!

With respect and best wishes, veteran of the Pacific Fleet Vladimir Vladimirovich Vizhunov, Belaya Tserkov.