#3: [25-Mar-25]

#2: [02-Jul-14]

#1: [17-Dec-03]

24-Jan-2026 -- The day began quite cold again at -6°C. However, because there was no wind, it turned into a very pleasant day – at noon I even walked without a jacket, just in a T-shirt. The wind is the decisive factor.

My route today followed a river called Sherabad. The path was quite icy, and I had to be extremely careful not to fall. Village after village followed like beads on a string. And I had to answer a few questions from almost everyone I met before I could continue. Today, I once again admired many fascinating icicles that had formed due to the sudden cold snap two nights ago.

In the afternoon, the moment finally arrived: I visited my first confluence point since Georgia! I had always kept a watchful eye on these points, but they were all so far from my route that visiting them would have required an additional day of hiking. Today's point at 38° North and 67° East was only about 2 km off my route. As if by design, a farm track led directly to it. However, halfway there was a farmstead, and the path went through its entrance gate. I was already considering how to explain my mission, but I encountered no one. Thus, I reached my destination, which was only about 50 meters from another farm. Here, too, I was lucky, and no one came out to question my intentions, as explaining them in Russian would not have been easy. But three dogs from a shepherd came barking towards me, precisely at the moment I reached the point. Therefore, I documented it within seconds and began my return journey before drawing the attention of everyone in the valley.

It is quite a coincidence that confluence point is near a farm, because the area is scarcely populated. Moreover, the exact location is 5 m from a deep ditch which was recently dugg out to store water.

To have more excitement, I only read the reports of other confluence visitors after my own visit. Otherwise, I would have known, that Vladimir and Maxim had explained the idea of confluence hunting to the owner of the farm. However, I like to keep my visits quick and simple, involving as less people as possible.

The elongated roadside village of Chilanzar had no accommodation, so I hitchhiked to the city of Sherobod, 30 km away. However, the hotel there had neither water nor heating because the pipes were frozen here as well. Apparently, the area is not prepared for frosts of -12°C. Fortunately, there was another hotel where I at least had running water, even if the heating wasn't working properly. The restaurant was also icy cold. It seems the gas heating in this city is not functioning.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 1800 m
• Distance to a track: 30 m
• Time to reach the CP from the road: 20 minutes
• Time at the CP: 2:47 PM
• Measured height: 795 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 4 m
• Position accuracy: 5 m
• Topography: mountainous, in a wide valley but surrounded by mountain ranges
• Vegetation: probably snow cover.
• Weather: overcast, 4° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: Snow Barking Confluence