We woke up early in the morning and checked out of the hotel at half past six. But there was no need to rush anyway—the driver didn't arrive at the scheduled time. He was half an hour late. However, as the guide describes, this is a one-off case, and usually, that transport company is quite punctual.
This company was founded in Mezen and specializes specifically in the route from there to the regional capital, even back when the road was in a much more deplorable condition.
approaching threateningly
2approaching threateningly
Most of the houses (up to approximately the Pinega River) have a very similar log structure.
4Most of the houses (up to approximately the Pinega River) have a very similar log structure.
It is a single-story building (+ attic) with five walls (a central wall separates the households), with 3 windows on each side, and a common attic that is narrow and has 3 windows.
5It is a single-story building (+ attic) with five walls (a central wall separates the households), with 3 windows on each side, and a common attic that is narrow and has 3 windows.
Colors in this snowfall
7Colors in this snowfall
Somewhere near Golubino. It's a recreation center that suddenly came to life thanks to someone's investment 10 years ago.
1Somewhere near Golubino. It's a recreation center that suddenly came to life thanks to someone's investment 10 years ago.
Panorama! High resolution. On the right, you can notice the local yellow soil.
2Panorama! High resolution. On the right, you can notice the local yellow soil.
Showing off my panoramic lens and the screen that can flip for selfies :p
3Showing off my panoramic lens and the screen that can flip for selfies :p
The main intermediate point is the settlement of Pinega, which, regarding the Pinezhsky District... is not its center (that status belongs to Kargory). However, the point is well-known—Golitsyn, Alexander Grin, and Voroshilov were exiled here, among others. The old town is preserved. Nearby are many karst caves and the (abandoned) Krasnogorsky Monastery.
Even in Pinega, they even built stone buildings!!
1Even in Pinega, they even built stone buildings!!
We pulled into a gas station.
3We pulled into a gas station.
How cute she is!
4How cute she is!
And she's so fluffy! I don't think I've ever touched fur as pleasant as this.
5And she's so fluffy! I don't think I've ever touched fur as pleasant as this.
Well, now the entire SD card is full of her photos.
6Well, now the entire SD card is full of her photos.
She then loved to rub against the lens.
16She then loved to rub against the lens.
Later, the sun came out and dazzling beauty unfolded.
Time does not stand still. And Baba Yaga keeps pace with the times.
1Time does not stand still. And Baba Yaga keeps pace with the times.
Kulugory is literally just this row of houses. Beyond it, the settlement ends.
2Kulugory is literally just this row of houses. Beyond it, the settlement ends.
They bow to us.
6They bow to us.
A slight bow from the oils.
11A slight bow from the oils.
From Pinega to Mezen — it is almost straight north. Soon, the forest-tundra begins. I was always puzzled as to why, in certain sections, the forest is quite alive, while in others, there are nothing but open clearings.
14From Pinega to Mezen — it is almost straight north. Soon, the forest-tundra begins. I was always puzzled as to why, in certain sections, the forest is quite alive, while in others, there are nothing but open clearings.
Even the exhaust gases are snow-white.
17Even the exhaust gases are snow-white.
I am amazed at how quickly the taiga is shrinking into tundra.
19I am amazed at how quickly the taiga is shrinking into tundra.
It's turned into a complete tundra.
21It's turned into a complete tundra.
Oh no, there are still glimpses of the taiga.
22Oh no, there are still glimpses of the taiga.
Pontoon bridge across Peza. As I understand it, they remove it after winter and set up a ferry crossing.
30Pontoon bridge across Peza. As I understand it, they remove it after winter and set up a ferry crossing.
It's terrible how much frost there is.
33It's terrible how much frost there is.
At the turn toward Dorogorskoye, there is a relatively recent pedestal (from ~2020), although in terms of style, it is a perfect late-Soviet style of the 1980s for various small-scale architecture in resorts.
1At the turn toward Dorogorskoye, there is a relatively recent pedestal (from ~2020), although in terms of style, it is a perfect late-Soviet style of the 1980s for various small-scale architecture in resorts.
Eyes are filled with blood.
3Eyes are filled with blood.