The Kalar mountains is one of many large and remote mountain areas in Siberia. Steep mountain peaks stand proudly up to 3000 meters, and wild rivers are winding through the taiga as an important lifeline for bears, wolverines, deers and other wildlife. In other countries, an area like this would had been declared a national park long ago and overrun by tourists. But here, 700 km northeast of Lake Baikal, you can get it almost all to yourself – you just have to ignore the guard in the abandoned mining town and a local nomadic hunting and reindeer people called the Evenks. The latter I tried to find in the same area on a summer trip back in 2008 without success, but on this ski trip, seven years later, I had more luck. During this trip the Siberian winter showed its true colours with temperatures dropping below 35 degrees Celsius (-31 F). However, with a good tent and a warm sleeping bag, the comfort was in top!
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 With the BAM railway towards Kalar mountains |
 View from the restaurant on the train |
 Train stewardess |
 Advertising in Chara for the anniversary of the BAM railway |
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 Children playing in Chara |
 View from our hotel room in Chara |
 Ready for departure! |
 Heading for the abandoned mining village in the Kalar Mountains |
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 Church in the abandoned mining village |
 Vehicles for snow clearance |
 Excursion from the abandoned mining village |
 Oleg (to the right), guard in the abandoned mining village |
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 Oleg, guard in the abandoned mining village |
 Oleg (to the right), guard in the abandoned mining village |
 Heading for the Evenks! |
 Accommodation in an open cabin on the way |
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 Surface water from river gives ice on the skis |
 Chena River |
 Kalar Mountains |
 Overnight in tent |
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 Chena River |
 Deer shot by the local Evenks |
 Dead musk deer shot by the local Evenks |
 Ice for drinking water |
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 The Evenks's saddles for reindeers |
 Skinned sables caught by the local Evenks |
 Hunting cabin built by the local Evenks |
 Hunting cabin built by the local Evenks |
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 Hunting cabin built by the local Evenks |
 Kalar Mountains |
 Kalar Mountains |
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 Kalar Mountains |
 Hunting cabin built by the local Evenks |
 Deer shot by the local Evenks |
 Musk deer shot by the local Evenks |
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 On the way up in the mountains to the local Evenks |
 On the way up in the mountains to the local Evenks |
 On the way up in the mountains to the local Evenks |
 On the way up in the mountains to the local Evenks |
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 In the camp by the local Evenks |
 In the camp by the local Evenks |
 In the camp by the local Evenks |
 In the camp by the local Evenks |
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 In the camp by the local Evenks |
 In the camp by the local Evenks |
 Kalar Mountains |
 Chena River |
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 Chena River |
 Overnight in tent |
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 On the way back towards the abandoned mining village |
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 On the way back towards the abandoned mining village |
 Chena River |
 Church in the abandoned mining village |
 Church in the abandoned mining village |
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 Sunset |
 Transportation of fuel on its way over the mountains |
 BAM railway |
 BAM railway |
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 BAM railway |
