182 SIBERIA 



8,150 feet above sea-level. Snow, commenced to fall 

 at eight o'clock, the temperature in the open being 

 1 5 degrees below freezing point . We could see 

 Belukha mountain rising before us, in a direct line, 

 about eight miles away, and we were practically in 

 the circle of the Katunskie-Belki range. 



Opposite our camp was a bank, covered to a great 

 depth with snow, evidently a lateral moraine of the 

 Belukha glacier. It must have been a very old 

 moraine, as small trees were growing on it, but the 

 trees were much younger than the forest trees around. 

 Everywhere was ice and snow and perfect stillness ; 

 a more rugged spot could not be imagined. I 

 pitched the tent, while the huntsmen went in search 

 of wood. Having finished my task I joined in the 

 search, and found that I was able to break several 

 of the young trees quite easily, owing to their extra:- 

 ordinary dr3mess. When the fire was lighted they 

 burnt like match-wood, giving out a, good heat. The 

 kettle was boiled and soup prepared, after which 

 we roasted the half sheep and two ryabchiks, which 

 had fallen to our guns on the way. Th,ese birds are 

 vastly superior to partridges. Dinner over, we felt 

 quite satisfied with ourselves and our surroundings 

 and reconciled to the complete loneliness and silence. 

 One striking thing I noticed while sitting at the fire 

 was the sudden shifting of the wind. No sooner 

 did we move round to prevent the smoke of the fire 

 blowing in our faces than the wind followed us 

 round. It shifted so often, filling our eyes with 

 smoke, that I christened this spot " Windy Caimp." 

 We were near the junction of three valleys, and no 

 doubt the next explorer who reaches this spot .will 

 know it by the Nestl6's milk tins, Army and Najvy 

 ration and soup tins, and the general clearance of the 

 trees. I advise him not to pitch camp near this spot, 

 if he wants comfort. 



