Through the mountains to the sea

Trail description

Six days of trekking through the Caucasus Nature Reserve — from the Lago-Naki checkpoint to Solokhaul. This was more than just a hike; it was a true test, filled with cold, heat, rain, fog, exhaustion, and incredible emotions. The route began at an elevation of about 1,750 meters and passed through the endless alpine meadows of Lago-Naki toward Instructorskaya Shchel. Nights in the mountains were cold: in the morning, you had to crawl out of a frozen tent and force yourself to keep moving. But the first rays of sun over the peaks quickly restored your strength. The main challenge was the ascent of Oshten, reaching an elevation of about 2,805 meters. The trail climbed up through wet rocks, and at times, everything was swallowed by dense fog. At the summit, an incredible feeling washed over me: I did it, I made it, and now I am standing above the clouds. Over the six days, the weather showed its true colors. We hiked in the rain, froze at high altitudes, struggled through fog, and just a few hours later, were sweltering in the heat. There were moments when I wanted to stop, but every ascent revealed views that provided the strength to continue. From there, the route passed through Lake Psennodakh, the Fisht-Oshten massif, and the Fisht mountain hut. The longest stretch was the trek to Babuk-Aul — nearly 24.5 kilometers involving a long descent over rocks, forest trails, and switchbacks. More than 1,700 meters of elevation were lost in a single day. The final section led to Solokhaul. In the end, I felt a mix of joy, relief, and a slight sadness that the journey was over. This route forced me to push my limits, and that is exactly why it will stay in my memory for a long time. Statistics: — 6 days; — 76.2 km via GPS; — maximum elevation — 2,805 m; — elevation gain — about 2,265 m; — elevation loss — about 3,862 m; — moving time — approximately 26 hours; — key points: Lago-Naki, Instructorskaya Shchel, Oshten, Psennodakh, Fisht hut, Babuk-Aul, and Solokhaul.

Explore more