New Year's adventures in the Urals without backpacks. Zyuratkul

Here is the first morning among the mountains! 

After a hearty breakfast, lovingly prepared by a local chef, we go for a walk to the Zyuratkul ridge and the top of the Naked Hill (1056 m). 

First, we will go along the equipped eco-trail, and before the very top we will have to climb a little over the snow-covered kurumnik (a large stone scree). 

From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake, coniferous forest covered with sparkling snow, and neighboring peaks. 

In prehistoric times, the waters of the Ural Ocean splashed here. 

Then the water left, exposing the bottom, and it eventually formed the Ural Mountains. 

We will return to the village for lunch, and in the evening we will arrange gatherings with tea, games and songs.

A walk of about 10 km (5 km one way and 5 km back), a set of 450 meters. 

Walking 10 km. light, set 450 m. Overnight at the guest house.

Today we are packing up and moving to the village of Tyulyuk.

On the way, we will definitely stop by to see the forest fountain made of ice.

In summer it is just an artesian spring, and in winter it turns into a huge (up to 14 m high) icicle. 

You can dance around it or take pictures with the whole group in the background! 

The next stop is the moose farm "Sochatka". 

Moose calves and adult elk that have suffered from poachers are nursed and treated here. 

In winter, all the wards live on the cordon, and we will be able to chat with them, feed them with an apple or carrot and take pictures. 

In the village of Tyulyuk, we check into a guest house with a wood-burning sauna.

We live in rooms with central heating for 4-5 people, we cook ourselves in an equipped kitchen. 

Transfer 150 km, walk 1.5 km. light. Overnight at the guest house.

Our task today is to climb to the top of Mount Iremel (1,582 m), a set of 650 m.

After breakfast, we drive towards Bashkiria, to the foot of Iremel, and from there the ascent will begin on foot.

We will keep our fingers crossed for the weather to please us with clear skies and uplifting views. 

By the way, Bashkirs consider Iremel to be a "place of power" for rituals and a sacred mountain, so at the top we will see many stone pyramids, flags and ribbons. 

Translated from Turkic, the word "Iremel" means "a place that gives strength to a person", and the name of the village Tyulyuk, where we stayed (founded two centuries ago), translates as "desire". 

Because of this neighborhood, residents claim that any desires are fulfilled on the top of the mountain, it is enough just to present a gift to the spirits of Iremel.

After climbing, we return to our cozy house to drink tea and bask in our wonderful bathhouse.

And how sweet it will be to sleep after such a busy day! 

The walk is about 6 km. 

We continue to enjoy the beauty of the winter Urals and walk to Larkin Gorge.

Once there was a watermill of the peasant Larkin, it gave the name to the place. 

We walk along a picturesque path and a bridge over the river, breathe in the fresh mountain air, play snowballs on the way and drink tea from a thermos at halts. 

After the walk, we return to Tyulyuk, and in the evening we will arrange a farewell dinner and friendly gatherings.

We strongly advise you to dress warmly before going to bed and go outside to admire the stars – they shine especially brightly away from big cities! 

Walking distance is 6 km. Overnight at the guest house.

Our winter adventure ended very quickly, and now we are rushing back to Chelyabinsk. 

We arrive in the city at about 12:00 local time, hug goodbye and fly home. 

The crossing is 340 km.