Journey to Jack London Lake | Hike

Tour dates: August 15 - 30, 2024

Complexity program

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Lake Jack London is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Far East, and for the taste of many, it is the most beautiful in all of Russia. The place is very remote, difficult to access, but therefore especially attractive for anyone who considers himself a real traveler. Let's put it simply: visiting Jack London Lake is a must on the list of places to visit in this life! And if this item is not yet closed for you, welcome!

Brief information about the lake. The lake is located in the Yagodinsky district of the Magadan region, at a distance of about 600 km. from Magadan and at an altitude of 803 meters above sea level. The length of the lake in the northwest direction is 10 kilometers, the depth reaches 50 meters.

The highest point in the lake area is Aborigine Peak (2586 meters above sea level).

There is a road to the lake from the Kolyma federal highway, which has not been repaired since the 80s of the last century, so getting there is very difficult. Problems arise mainly due to the lack of bridges and the overflow of streams and rivers during the rainy season, but also because of the road itself, which can only be driven by specially prepared off-road vehicles at a speed not exceeding 10 km/h.

Duration
16 days
Comfort
Group
up to 12 people
Age
18+
Region
Magadan, Russia

Tour organizer:

Evgeniy Androsov Jack London Lake

EVGENY ANDROSOV

Professional traveler, climber, mountain guide and tour instructor with 30 years of experience. Visited all continents, in countries of the world and regions of Russia. Organizer of hundreds of original tours, expeditions, hikes, climbs...More

Itenarary day by day:

Magadan

Arrival in Magadan, transfer to the city, check into a hotel. It is possible that people in the group will be from different cities and even countries and will arrive on different flights (someone may want to arrive 1-2 days earlier to adapt to the time difference), so the general meeting of the group will take place in the evening of the 1st day at the hotel. Briefing with information on the hike and route, distribution of food and gas (everyone will get 5-7 kg, leave room in your backpack).

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Magadan - Yagodnoe

In an ordered minibus we travel all day along the Kolyma highway to the village of Yagodnoye. The road is mostly dirt, the average speed is 80 km/h, the distance is 600 km, so we will be driving almost all day. For the night we set up a tent camp not far from the village, on the banks of the Debin River, across which we will have to cross on a shift the next day.

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Yagodnoe - Jack London Lake

In the morning we load up on the shift and go to the lake. The distance here is only 56 km, but the road is so bad that you will have to drive all day, at least most of the day. It is possible that the water in the river will be high enough to cross the river on a shift and we will have to wait until it subsides - unfortunately, this is a reality that we have to reckon with. In this case, we have two spare days. Upon arrival at the lake, we set up camp and prepare dinner.

Lake Anemone, Dream, Gray Gull, Dancing Grayling

Today we have to make a radial exit lightly, but with a good climb to the small picturesque lakes located above Lake Jack London with the mysterious names Anemone, Dream, Gray Gull, and then go down to the Lake of Dancing Graylings, where you can go fishing (fishermen, take your gear with you , they will definitely come in handy on this trip!) Anyone who is unfamiliar with fishing can at this time walk along the shore, gorge themselves on blueberries, and admire the views. Afterwards we return to camp.

Purga River

After breakfast, we pack up the camp and move with our backpacks along the hiking route. On this day, it will run along the lake to the mouth of the Purga River along a path with areas of dense vegetation. In some places there are thickets of elfin wood. The area is rich in blueberries and cranberries. At the mouth of the Purga River there are beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by larches. It is believed that this place has one of the best bites on Jack London Lake. Therefore, there will be fish soup for dinner.

Unknown Creek

We continue moving. From the mouth of the Purga River we make the transition to the Studeny Stream, which we ford and go to the Nevedomy Stream. Ascent along the stream bed through wetlands. We pass through a spur of the ridge and we find ourselves in the valley of the Nevedomogo stream. There are many difficult-to-pass sections of dwarf cedar - a day of hiking will not be easy.

Camp on the bank of a stream.

Left Unknown Creek and the assault camp of Aborigen Peak

We continue to climb up the stream to its sources. There is a confluence of the Right and Left Unknown Streams, several small lakes. There is no trail here, we go off-road - everything is as we like)) We are successfully gaining altitude - we have been climbing all day, but smoothly, it will be difficult, but interesting. The task today is to camp in the upper reaches of the Left Unknown stream, so that tomorrow, already light, we will go to storm one of the highest peaks in this area - Aborigine Peak.

Climbing Aborigen Peak

Radial ascent to one of the highest points of the Magadan region - Aborigen Peak (2,286 meters). The climb is categorical - 1B according to the tourist classification, small rockfalls are possible in places, there are sections of easy climbing in the pre-summit ridge, the total elevation gain is about a thousand meters. For experienced hikers, the climb is not particularly difficult; those who are not confident in their abilities can stay in the camp and just relax that day.

The approximate time of ascent from the camp is 5-6 hours, descent 3-4 hours. From the top there is a magnificent view - the wide valley of the Kolyma River, many lakes, a giant pile of rocky ridges. Mount Challenger especially stands out in the landscape. Descent to the camp along the ascent route, dinner and well-deserved rest!

And again Jack London Lake

We return to Jack London Lake along the valley of the Nevedomy stream. The distance is quite decent, but it’s all downhill, so it won’t be very difficult. In some places the path is hampered by dwarf trees and there are no trails. The task of the day is to go to the shore of Lake Jack London.

Of the beauties on this day, 6 lakes of different sizes await us. One of them is small, with absolutely clear water, surrounded by huge boulders. Its depth is several meters. Grayling live in it and their movement can be observed from the shore.

Foreland of Biologists

We move around Jack London Lake to the famous Biologists Foreland. It may be possible to negotiate a crossing with the boat (but this is not certain!), then the day can become completely simple - most of the day we will walk along the shore, fish, pick berries and mushrooms.

On the Biologov Foreland there are gazebos and places for tents - almost civilization for this harsh, wild area.

Lake of Dancing Grayling

Today we go to the Lake of Dancing Graylings, which got its name because of the numerous graylings jumping out of the water in the evenings. The spectacle is truly fascinating, but not a regular one; if we are lucky enough to see it, it will be great, but the weather and the grayling behavior that depends on it can make adjustments. Overnight on the shore of the lake.

Yagodnoye village

Breakfast, setting up the camp, loading onto the shift and a long journey to the village of Yagodnoye, accommodation in a local hostel or in a rented apartment (possible, but not guaranteed! If the group is large, there may not be enough places, in this case we set up a camp near the village).

Spare days

Spare days in case of delays in travel to Jack London Lake and back due to high water in the river, as well as weather anomalies. If spare days are not needed, at the request of the group and the presence of good weather, we can either stay and relax on the shore of the lake, or spend these days in Magadan, thoroughly exploring the city and its surroundings.

Magadan

Transfer by customized minibus from the village of Yagodnoye to Magadan, where we are accommodated in a rented apartment.

Home

Transfer to the airport and flight home.

Jack London Lake on Google maps:

The tour price includes:

  • all transfers and drop-offs as part of the tour program,
  • accommodation in hotels/hostels/rented apartments in Magadan (2 nights) and the village. Yagodnoye (1 night),
  • camping meals all days of the hike (hot tomorrow and dinner, as well as lunch on rest days, a snack as lunch on hiking days,
  • general hiking equipment: tents, burners, gas, pots, ladles, matches, extended first aid kit, satellite communications for emergency calls,
  • Tourist instructor work 24/7,
  • group and individual photographs of each participant, taken during the entire trip using professional photographic equipment and provided in electronic form, as well as a video about the trip.

The tour price does NOT include:

  • air tickets,
  • meals in Magadan, as well as in a cafe during the transfer to Yagodnoye and back,
  • excursions in Magadan,
  • transport in Magadan, with the exception of transfers to/from the airport and to/from Yagodnoye village,
  • medical insurance,
  • entrance to museums and other tourist attractions in Magadan,
  • other expenses not listed in the “price includes” section

This is a highly difficult hike! If you have never gone hiking before or lived in tents, this hike is not for you - it will be too difficult for both you and us!

We will walk from 10 to 20 km per day. with heavy backpacks on difficult terrain, fords are possible, the weight of backpacks taking into account food and general equipment for men is 25-30 kg, for women - 20-25 kg. In addition, during the hike, heavy rains and even snow, night frosts and other weather anomalies are possible, and in addition to them, delays in travel and waiting with an element of uncertainty, you must be mentally prepared for all this.

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The weather in the Magadan region is not warm and has a lot of sunny days; it is harsh and unpredictable. Therefore, take seriously the selection of clothes and shoes for this trip!

You will definitely need: a membrane jacket, a raincoat, a light down jacket or vest, a fleece, two pairs of hiking pants (waterproof or quick-drying), thermal underwear, good trekking boots, boots, slippers for wading streams and rivers, trekking poles, a headlamp , mosquito net, backpack 80-100 liters with a protective cover for it... A complete list of necessary clothes, shoes and equipment will be sent to you after registering for the tour and making an advance payment.

For fishermen and those who would like to become one, there is freedom here - take your fishing gear with you! For those who like swimming in cold water - swimwear, because you can swim both in lakes and rivers and in the Sea of Okhotsk in Magadan))

The tour is very active and intense, and therefore requires discipline and personal involvement in the process from the participants.

When traveling by car, delays and unforeseen circumstances are possible - car breakdowns, river floods, road and bridge repairs. During the hike, the route may be adjusted depending on the current weather, possible injuries and the condition of the participants. Changes are discussed with the participants, but the final decision is up to the instructor, since he is responsible for the program and the safety of the group.

During a hike, the group moves at the speed of the weakest participant; dividing the group into “weak and strong,” as well as any other division of the group, is not allowed! If you are not ready for mutual assistance, are not ready to be part of the same team, you are better off going on this or a similar journey on your own.

The instructor is in charge of preparing the food; the participants' help is welcome, and sometimes simply necessary!

This hike does not provide a separate menu for vegetarians and/or vegans. If you belong to one of these categories, naturally, you can participate in the hike, but responsibility for your nutrition lies with you personally; claims against the organizers for the lack of a sufficient amount of vegetarian food will not be accepted!

Air tickets are purchased by participants themselves. It is better to do this in advance - in December-February, at this time the lowest price is possible plus the opportunity to buy subsidized tickets (if you belong to one of the categories of citizens for whom this is possible).

Arrival in and departure from Magadan earlier or later than the dates specified in the program is paid by the participants themselves, including transfer to/from the airport.

1. If you are interested in this tour, leave a request using the form below or call the indicated numbers, we will contact you and answer all your questions.
2. To reserve a place on THIS tour, you must make a prepayment before 01/20/2024 (later applications will not be accepted!) in the amount of 30% of the tour cost - visa invitations and the purchase of air tickets for domestic flights are made in advance. Prepayment is refundable (minus expenses paid and commissions of banks and payment systems) 45 or more days before the start of the tour and non-refundable, unfortunately, less than 45 days before the start of the tour if the refund is related to your refusal to participate (for any reason ). If the tour does not take place due to our fault, due to the group not being formed or due to force majeure, the advance payment will be guaranteed to be returned to you in any case and in full.
3. Final payment is due seven to three working days before the start of the tour or in cash on the spot.

© The description of the program uses photographs by Evgeny Androsov and licensed stock photos from Shutterstock.