Amazing vacation

Route "Orient Express" Crimea, May 1-6, 2013

I am writing a review two weeks later, and my thoughts still return to these days. Those who still doubt, put all doubts aside, and those who do not doubt, have already planned their next trip. A hike is a powerful recharge, informational and spiritual cleansing; it cannot be expressed in words, it must be felt and experienced. The hike is honest, without deception. The hike is something I will definitely return to.

The coolest feeling is when you get on the train, it departs and everything, everything, everything is left behind... you call your family and friends back to say that you left happily and turn off the phone... Surely many people are familiar with the feeling when you want to hide this same phone away and... in general, a hike is a great reason to do just that: we hide the device away in a backpack (in case it gets out) and for 6 days we plunge into fresh air, new emotions and impressions.

Our organization was at an excellent level, no one got lost, in any case, at the beginning of the hike, safe and sound, led by instructor Sergei Basalaev, we arrived at the starting point - Perevalnoe. How sweet this word sounds for most tourists.

The Orient Express route was excellent, perfected by our instructor) Thank you very much to Sergei for warming us with a fire, feeding us delicious breakfasts and dinners, and taking us to the most beautiful places. Without excessive modesty, I will say that we behaved as a well-coordinated team, finished almost everything, got ready on time and followed all (well, almost all) rules. For which we were given medals with the Outdoor Ukraine logo.

We tracked the eastern route using a map, which Alena kindly provided, and on which our movements were marked with a red marker and Sergei’s steady hand. And we really were heading east, as my little compass keychain can confirm.

I would like to separately say that in your camping equipment you should strive as much as possible for convenience and comfort. Even small little things at first glance significantly improve life on a hike. You should always have water at hand (personally, for me and my friend, a small 0.5 bottle was convenient; it hung on my belt, and we poured water into it from a large bottle), sucking candies (when I felt like I was losing strength, a couple of candies on the go - recharging, that’s what I needed), sunscreen (specifically OT), and toilet paper (a little bit in all pockets). There is no better thing to wear than a Panama hat on your head on a hike, and it does so all the time, both from the sun in open areas and from any falling living creatures in the forest. It’s also convenient to look around; with a cap on, visibility is poor and your ears burn out. On top of the backpack it is good to keep a long-sleeved shirt from the sun, and something from the wind. Based on the shoes, I can say that I carried extra sports sandals in my backpack, never wore them, walked around in light sports shoes, and changed into flip-flops in parking lots. If you are not sure about shoes, take a wide medical white adhesive plaster on a roll, for all occasions. You can also seal the callus and wrap the shoes completely. I’ll tell you separately for lovers of large cameras - I didn’t regret taking it with me, but be sure to think about its location on yourself, everything should be doubly secured and protected. I accidentally bought a bag at the station that suited me, otherwise it would have stayed mostly in my backpack. And your hands should be free, or with a stick, depending on who you like. In general, everything together looks something like this:

We were lucky and the weather was wonderful and sunny; the raincoat was not needed. On the first day, for us, still fragile souls, there was a rather difficult climb, then we admired the lunar landscapes of Dolgorukovskaya Yayla, a herd of horses, the blooming Crimea, approaching our first stop on the river. Burulcha. I note that we stayed exclusively in beautiful, wild places and there were no other tourists nearby, which created an atmosphere of remoteness and isolation. Thanks to our instructor. And how delicious the lunch snacks were, it seems to me that I have never eaten anything tastier than dry bread with pate and two sprats. And sausage. Of course, where would we be without her?

Dinner this evening was pasta and stew, kindly prepared by our chef. Throughout the entire hike, Sergei lit a fire, prepared a can of tea and breakfast for us in the mornings, dinner in the evening, and again a unique can of tea. By the way, it is brewed using a special technology while preserving all the beneficial properties. I can’t open it, I’m bound by an oath, something has to do with bubbles. And yet, all the breakfasts and dinners were exceptionally tasty, healthy and satisfying, just like Cous-Cous porridge with fried sausage and melted cheese, incredibly delicious rice soup with sardines, milk rice porridge, oatmeal with raisins and so on. We, of course, helped to the best of our ability. It’s scary to think what mountains, fresh air and a “merciless” instructor do to people - he turns them into omnivorous swallows. And also gourmets - even lard with chocolate seemed very ok.

The second whole day was devoted to a long trek. We jumped over Yayla Orto-Syrt and entered Karabi Yayla, along which we arrived at the Meteorological Station by lunchtime. The whole group volunteered to move on, since the parking lot did not arouse our enthusiasm: there were a lot of people, but there was no gas for us, it was impossible to light fires there. Lunch, dinner and breakfast on dry food did not inspire anyone. We bought water and walked briskly to Chigenitra. I will note that spring Crimea is something, fresh greenery, flowering trees, a million flowers, soft grass and you can drink the air there, it’s a pity that you can’t take a couple of liters with you to the city. On the way we looked at the cave - it’s called Bolshaya Ledyanaya, and saw the sea from afar.

We crawled to the parking lot, not so cheerful, but happy and satisfied. I still wonder where the irrepressible energy came from, we walked under a backpack every day, in some places it was very difficult, our legs were burning, but after a little rest, you already want to go further, look more, breathe deeper, capture every moment, and in the morning we generally got up cheerful and rested.

Sergei periodically told us about Crimea, about history, about stones, about vegetation, about living creatures and answered all our questions. Most often these were questions about where we are now, and how this or that word is translated. It turned out that Yayla is a pasture, Kara is black, Koba is a cave, and su is water.

The second stop at Chigenitra was memorable for the morning walk along the surrounding hills, lightly. The view from the mountains was breathtaking!

Next, the usual preparations and on to the road! We admired the views of the Small Gate and the Calliston Pass. After lunch we walked through forested areas, very beautiful places, the smell of fresh leaves, flower meadows and a convenient road - what else do you need for happiness?

The third night was in a picturesque clearing near a river, apparently never even inhabited by tourists this year, because they cleared places for tents from branches and pebbles. Those who wished took hardening water procedures, it was very invigorating, I must say, but the feeling of freshness was worth it.

On the fourth day a short trek was planned. Upon arrival at the parking lot, we set off on a radial road to Zelenogorye. I was surprised by the lightness behind my back, from which everyone was somehow inspired at first, but I still had to walk far, plus quite difficult and extreme climbs and descents along the banks of the Kuchuk-Karasu river. The views were breathtaking, the impressions were amazing, and the baths of youth saved us from fatigue. It turned out to be an “easy, stunning” walk, we ate a delicious dinner and drank tea and bagels.

On May 5, an early rise was planned, a short trek and a trip to the sea. No sooner said than done, I think everyone remembered the long descent, which was quite difficult due to loose powder and steep slopes. The reward was a waterfall, under which it was so pleasant to plunge.

A little more and we rode by minibus to the sea, on the way we stopped at a market for barbecue, a little more patience and we were there. Many of us opened the season of swimming at sea, Sergei was preparing shish kebab (sooooo delicious) and pilaf! (sooo delicious), someone was whittling kebab sticks. And the boys also got us a piece of Easter and a sacred egg, we honestly divided them into 11 parts and in the evening we sincerely celebrated Easter. We spent a long time admiring the starry sky and chatting about all sorts of things.

Rise. Breakfast by the fire. We collect a tent and a backpack. Exit. Already familiar actions and this makes me slightly sad - the last day. We passed through the Karaul-Koba nature reserve, walked along the Galician trail and descended into the New World - the end point of our journey. Last snack and we begin to say goodbye.

I am writing a review two weeks later, and my thoughts still return to these days. Those who still doubt, put all doubts aside, and those who do not doubt, have already planned their next trip. A hike is a powerful recharge, informational and spiritual cleansing; it cannot be expressed in words, it must be felt and experienced. The hike is honest, without deception. The hike is something I will definitely return to. Until next time!