2 years ago
25
ARTICLE AD BOX
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Lake Baikal, the world's deepest, offers astounding views along its shoreline - and winter tours of its frozen expanse have become increasingly popular.
With some trepidation, Oleg Boldyrev walked, and even rode, across the multi-coloured ice.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,The giant lake creates its own climate - and winter around Baikal normally starts later than elsewhere in eastern Siberia. In late December, the lake finally freezes over - but there is very little snow until mid-January.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,Olkhon, the largest island in the lake, is a popular tourist destination, when Covid restrictions allow.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,Soon, the ice is thick enough to walk on - and even for some lighter cars to drive. In February, the ice road from the village of Kurkut to Olkhon Island opens for a short period, depending on the thickness.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,Images of the ice have drawn lots of interest on social networks.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,A bike with studded tyres is one of the ways to explore this frozen expanse.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,Skating is also popular.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,The lake offers many miles of perfectly smooth ice. First-time visitors may be taken aback by the massive booms and cracks as it expands and contracts, in the daytime. This is normal, locals say, but watch out for larger openings.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,The ice is never still. Massive pressure causes ruptures and elaborate combinations of paper-thin and rock-heavy layers protrude from the surface.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,Baikal is known for extremely clear water.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,It produces hundreds of different patterns of multi-layered cracks or bubbles.
Image source, Oleg Boldyrev
Image caption,On the rocky shore, winter creates elaborate ice sculptures of its own.
All photographs courtesy Oleg Boldyrev.
English (US)