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The magical impression of these mountains does not leave the soul in peace for a second, and the pride and joy of the fact that these are the expanses of Ukraine makes the heart beat faster! The clean air of "Verkhovyna", diluted with a bouquet of aromas of the spring forest, which adds an impressive effect to the landscapes that open from the peaks, forces you to breathe deeply, giving light dizziness to those close to euphoria...
Our hearts have not yet cooled down from last year's trip to these parts, but we didn't have the strength to wait for next fall, so as soon as the team's call went out, the crew was ready! This time our crew was joined by another member - the "chief navigator" - the only woman in the male company. And so, a group of five people: Vitalik, two Slavs, Vitya and Nastya set out early in the morning in the direction of Chernivtsi, or rather, the village of Selyatyn in the Chernivtsi region on the border with Romania. This time we decided to deviate a little from the route and instead of Kamianets-Podilskyi and Khotyn, we went through Novodnistrovsk to admire the greatness of the local gas power plant - unique in its kind not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole world! I didn't say greatness for nothing, the scale of this building is really impressive! A huge dam with six no less impressive locks holds back a water drop of 50 meters!!!
We arrived at the place of the first overnight stay, already familiar from the last trip, at noon and, as it turned out, we were among the first to start preparing the common table for the evening meal. The rest of the team began to gather closer to the evening. A warm meeting of old acquaintances, hugs, handshakes and, of course, a feast that lasted far past midnight. We couldn't do without such a familiar and irreplaceable hookah from the master of this business and the main hookah maker of all Slavik's trips.
In the morning, surveying the surroundings, he involuntarily caught himself thinking about whether or not to change the hectic city life filled with noise and commotion for the measured, quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the Carpathians. Touching thoughts were interrupted by three beeps of the signal - general muster and start.
The Spring Zest Trophy gathered 9 crews, five Lviv cars, one crew from Chernivtsi and one each from Vinnytsia and Kyiv - this cuisine was diluted by the colorful, well-known Moscow team of A.B. on NISSAN PATROL. Although all cars were well prepared and equipped for such a plan of events, our crew on a black Mitsubishi L200, a detailed description and photo of which was in the past issues of the magazine, really stood out from the crowd with its massiveness and level of preparation. As it turned out later, it was completely justified. He passed most of the obstacles easier and faster, moreover, he had to stop all the way and help someone escape from the snow-swamp captivity.
The task on the first day was very difficult. We had to follow the route of the entire last year's trip, however, bypassing many historical monuments of local places and shortening the distance at the same time. Through Perkalab (a border area on the highlands and a checkpoint), passing by the "DOME" (the former military echolocation base where we spent the night last time) and bypassing the border villages, we headed to Mt. Local Approach to Tito's father. After the first couple of hours of easy driving of the walking type, having reached the special areas we knew from the previous trip, we were pleasantly surprised to come across a snow mound. At first, the snow was perceived with pleasant surprise - well, it really is knee-deep snow at the beginning of May!!! But there is no way back! And under the cheerful cry "Alga!" (In Turkmen "Forward!") Tovstun (Nissan Patrol Lviv) rushed to the gap, breaking a track for everyone else with its wide protector. At that time, we did not even imagine that after a couple of kilometers, the depth of the snow mounds could increase from the level of the knees to the waist! And then winches, towing cables and, most importantly, shovels went into action. I can hardly remember the moments when I had to dig up so much snow in my life. Step by step, overturning the winch cables, we made our way forward. Crossing a snowy section of several kilometers turned out to be a serious test for each crew. If the first car overcame the snow obstacles around three o'clock in the morning, the final team of four cars arrived at the camp closer to seven in the morning. Tired and frozen, everyone went to the tents set up earlier.
The third day, or rather the morning of the third day, was marked by a serious dilemma, we are already a day behind schedule, and we do not know what lies ahead. The foot reconnaissance vanguard sent in advance was not particularly encouraging. Ahead of us was again snow, albeit in smaller quantities, but already supported by the swamp.
There is no choice - only "Alga"!
Passing the new stage turned out to be much easier, although not completely. Having reached one of the most difficult sections, we realized with disappointment: getting entangled in this marshy and snowy mush, we can stay here for a long time. In order, the tired team set about setting up camp. In this process, a number of things significantly raised the mood: a pleasant talk of discussions of the passed stages, a canister of excellent Irish whiskey, and the crazy culinary skills of the leader - Oleg "Zhest". It is not often that you get to try such a delicious Banash. At the end of the evening, all the shadows of gloomy difficulties were covered like a silk blanket by heartfelt songs on the guitar accompanied by the crackling of damp logs in the fire ... I had to go to sleep to the lively drumming of raindrops on the tents.
Morning. Rain. Darkly. The road was washed away to such an extent that it was not easy to move on, just to leave the camp. A short briefing and decision will return to civilization by the only possible road not far from the place of the night. Part of the road had to be returned by the same route - snow and swamp again. Wet second set of clothes, no dry shoes left, and a whole day's journey ahead. Only a pre-prepared bottle of rum saved me. On the way back, a colorful village of local shepherds was pleasing to the eye. They come down from the mountains for the winter, and leave the doors of their homes open for vagrants like us. A dry pile of firewood is ready in the corner, even warm blankets - though not the first
Closer to midnight, we got to the pre-ordered hotel in the village of Kosiv. A hot bath and a warm dinner were already waiting there...
This trip really lived up to its name - Tin Trophy. The whole journey was a test for each crew individually and for the expedition as a whole. Everyone's ingenuity and endurance, hardiness and patience were really tested here. It was possible to drive only 40% of the planned route, but the amount of experience gained can be assessed only now, after some time. And for experience, as you know, it is necessary to pay!
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