Syltran lake - Syltran pass - Baksan valley

The next morning only blue sky and sun. The valleys are still in the clouds, but these retreat very quickly. We take our time for breakfast to enjoy the view and the weather. The beauty of the green Syltran lake now fully hits us and we wish we could stay here forever. The peaks around the lake, covered with fresh white snow which has been falling the last days, easily reach the 4000 m and the frozen grass turns green again in the sun.

After packing our backs, the Syltran pass (3500 m.) is reached very easily. We head up to a viewing point (3580 m.) at the left. From here Mt. Elbrus (5642 m.) can be viewed in all its greatness. This mountain is a distinct vulcano of which the two tops are remains of a crater. The mountain is the highest top of and covered with the largest glaciers in Europe. Also the view on the main ridge of the Caucasus on the other site of the Baksan valley is very worthwhile.

Main range Elbrus from Syltran pass

We follow the scree down until we reach a little river. The Mukal river, which we follow on the left bank, curves through a meadow and ends in the larger Mkyara, which forms together with the Subashi the Kyrtyk river. We cross the Subashi and follow the trail through a wide valley were cows and coshes are scattered around. The shepherds on horses chase cows like real cowboys with a bottle of vodka as their best friend. We camp near the river where we wash our clothes and cook a meal in the last sunlight. The gigantic Elbrus guards our campsite at the end of the valley.

Frozen vegetable near Syltran lake

The next morning, just after breakfast, we run into three cowboys who want us to make a photograph with them and us. We make one or two pictures and when we have promised to send them from the Netherlands, we get some fruit. This is too kind and we hand out some cigars. Of course this has to be celebrated and there is always a bottle of Vodka in the saddle bag. In five minutes the bottle is empty and we say goodbye.

Two hours later we reach Verkney Baksan again, the end point of this trail.

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