This report is about the tour: The Lost World
Impressions from the Lost World hike April 3-5, 2010
Crimea. When you say that you were on vacation in Crimea, many people are not surprised or delighted now, because who hasn’t been to Crimea - now it’s fashionable to go abroad! And when you start talking about the adventures of these 3 days (although for some reason you actually think that you were there much longer), you understand that these 3 days opened up a completely different, very exciting and still beautiful, unexplored region for our small company.
For us now, it’s not just the sea and the mountains, it’s every part, every moment that was so memorable during the hike. These are backpacks that seem heavy on the first day, and by the third you no longer pay attention to them; that feeling of “it’s not as difficult as they said” when you walked the first few meters along a flat path and “ugh, one more step and I’ll fall” when you start stomping up the hills and mountains; it’s a pride that you were still able to climb 600 m on your own to Cape Aya and from there contemplate the beauty of the southern coast; these are interesting stories from the instructor about the life of foresters and tourists; this is the first evening around the fire, tired laughter, hot food and horror stories about the “black climber”; this is the tent set up for the first time and starry nights; winding paths, forest, flowers, clean air...
The list could go on for a long time, but this already makes the interlocutor to whom you are talking about your trip to Crimea become interested and crave details. After darkening him a little with my dreamy and thoughtful look, basking in memories, I get distracted and begin my story.
For many in our company (there were 10 of us), this was the first experience of a long hike, and to be honest, being tied to the city and the habit of relaxing in comfort (hotels, beaches, excursions where they pick up and drop off), my husband and I were unsure whether such a vacation was for us. But, giving up on this, seduced by the upcoming beauties of Crimea, and the spirit of adventure, we threw our backpacks on our shoulders and set off to meet the unknown.
During these 3 days we, of course, experienced a lot, but besides the various emotions that are preserved in memory - this is, of course, pride in yourself, when you walk, walk, it seems that you have walked a little, but when you look back to see where the path began and roughly try to measure the distance traveled - this is where it takes your breath away - was I really able to walk so much!
The most memorable thing for me was the path to Cape Aya, to the observation deck of Mount Kush-Kaya (600m). Maybe because it was the first day of the hike, and a lot of impressions fell on me that I could not cope with them, but the way we climbed the mountain and how much effort it cost me from being unaccustomed to such loads, however, did not compare with the feeling when I stood at the top of Kush-Kai. It seemed as if there was no fatigue, I stood frozen - a small piece of the world, even the clouds were lower, I breathed in the air and wanted to take off. Even now, flipping through the photographs, I relive these emotions that are difficult to describe.
The route was very interesting - we walked along paths through juniper thickets, tramped through clearings, made our way through the forest, and even the path from the cape to Fig seemed very exciting for everyone - on the left there was an opening view of the sea and forests under our feet, and on the right there were mountains hanging above us. The clouds were above us, in front of us - that we wanted to reach out and touch with our hands, and even around us - there was a moment when we entered the cloud - an indescribable feeling, we were happy like children - after all, who hasn’t dreamed of trying a cloud by touch =), a small rainbow in the cloud doubled our joys =), we even managed to photograph it (it was a real Brocken ghost or Gloria ).
The places we spent the night were pleasant and interesting - the first night was on a cape next to the ruins of a military complex, which added a little mystery. After a romantic farewell to the sunset, we sat down near the fire and shared horror stories - and at night we lay and listened to the rustles and sounds of the forest - the sensations were invigorating =).
We spent the second night in Fig, in a pine meadow - there was a fabulous atmosphere - tall beautiful pines protected us from the wind, shared a pleasant aroma, and opened up a wonderful view of the sea and sunset.
The third day turned out to be no less exciting for us - we visited the mountain with the Barrel of Death, tried our hand at rock climbing because the path to Balaklava was not easy, and walked around Balaklava itself (it was funny to attract attention among the vacationers walking along the embankment, one aunt even told her little child - look, tourists are coming =)).
We must, of course, pay tribute to our guide Taras - it was who endured our whims, sometimes discontent and harm along the way, however, the company was good and cheerful, at the stops we amused each other - he told us stories from his life as a forester, and we joked and laughed at ourselves, remembering the past day.
Well, for those who like to lie on the beach, admire the mountains from the hotel balcony, sitting on an armchair and sipping a cold drink through a straw, this type of vacation will not seem attractive. This is for those who like to plunge into adventure, who are interested in trying their hand at it, who like to walk - to see a beautiful place and get there themselves, who like the taste of food over a fire, a cool breeze on the top of a mountain, a starry sky not illuminated by the city lights... however, I again plunged into memories and got carried away. For everyone who wants to be a guest in the lost world of Mother Nature - this is the place for you!
Text - Galina Pavlova, photo - Igor Kanyuka.