Kamchatka is a true natural phenomenon. A country with 300 volcanoes (29 of them active), more than 400 glaciers, an unknown number of hot springs, rivers filled with Pacific salmon and one of the world's densest bear populations speaks for itself. Most of the 1200 km-long peninsula can still be regarded as true, untouched wilderness because Kamchatka was closed to visitors from outside in the Soviet time. However, since then it has been opened up for tourists who now come to climb volcanoes, go rafting down the wild rivers, fish for salmon or shoot wild bear in the virgin land. The photos here are from two ski trips in Bystrinsky Nature Park, south of the village Esso. Despite problems with skiing through a couple of feet new snow, on the first trip (2010) we managed to get into the heart of the park to the extinct volcano Itjinsky (3,605 m). On the second trip (2017) we managed to ski across the entire park to catch a truck back towards Milkovo on an old mining road.
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 Going by bus from Petropavlovsk to Esso (2010) |
 The view from the centre of Esso (2010) |
 The local museum in Esso (2010) |
 The local pub and eatery in Esso(2010) |
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 On the border to Bystrinsky Nature Park(2010) |
 We got a lift with a snow scooter the first 20 km into the park (2010) |
 Our snow scooter driver Constantin (2010) |
 There are many small hunting cabins in the park (2010) |
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 Reconnaissance without backpacks (2010) |
 A landscape created for trolls (2010) |
 The snow scooter has driven back, and we are alone in the park (2010) |
 Half a meter of new snow makes it difficult to ski (2010) |
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 Back in our own track after reconnaissance (2010) |
 Tenting in the park (2010) |
 The first glimpse of Ichinsky Volcano, 3605 m (2010) |
 Ichinsky Volcano (2010) |
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 Another hunting cabin on the road with leaky roof (2010) |
 Close to Ichinsky Volcano (2010) |
 Collecting firewood for a cosy evening in the cabin next to Ichinsky Volcano (2010) |
 Evening glow (2010) |
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 Collecting more firewood (2010) |
 A sauna next to Ichinsky Volcano (2010) |
 The big cabin next to Ichinsky Volcano (2010) |
 The big cabin next to Ichinsky Volcano - advertising for the park (2010) |
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 On the way back to Esso (2010) |
 We used the same hunting cabin on the way back (2010) |
 We had perfect weather in almost two weeks (2010) |
 Kamchatka's nature is wild and fascinating (2010) |
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 Koryak Volcano (3456 m) seen from the airport in Petropavlovsk (2010) |
 Avachinsky Volcano (2741 m) seen from the airport in Petropavlovsk - and yes, it smokes a little! (2010) |
 On the way into the park (2017) |
 The park office at the park boundary (2017) |
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 Cabin with the shape of a tent (2017) |
 Open water in April (2017) |
 Bad weather calls (2017) |
 Easy skiing in a fresh snowmobile track (2017) |
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 One among Kamchatka's countless majestic mountains (2017) |
 Cabin on the road providing shelter for the night (2017) |
 Siesta in good weather outside the cabin (2017) |
 Still in the track of a snowmobile (2017) |
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 Kamchatka's Matterhorn (2017) |
 Well deserved break in the track (2017) |
 First glimpse of Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
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 Simple but welcoming cabin (2017) |
 Dinner in the cabin (2017) |
 A slightly oversized stove (2017) |
 We are not alone in the cabin (2017) |
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 Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
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 Passage of a troublesome gorge (2017) |
 Tent site overlooking Itjinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Itjinsky Volcano's south side (2017) |
 Difficult skiing (2017) |
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 Ragged mountains (2017) |
 The deep powder snow provides slow progress (2017) |
 Itjinsky Volcano's south side (2017) |
 Itjinsky Volcano's south side (2017) |
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 The park's southern entrance (2017) |
 Itjinsky Volcano's south side (2017) |
 Last glow from the sun (2017) |
 Full moon at Kamchatka (2017) |
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 View of Itjinsky Volcano (2017) |
 Last glow from the sun (2017) |
 Last glow from the sun (2017) |
 Last glow from the sun (2017) |
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 Finally at the dirt road - ready to get a lift (2017) |
 Still view to Ichinsky Volcano (2017) |
 The mining road from Milkovo (2017) |
 A lift towards Milkovo with wheel change on the way (2017) |
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