Conquer Heart Lake at the 2090-meter-high Chersky Peak

**Travelling **to Lake Baikal is not only about water sports. More often than not, you will have to **climb mountains as **there are a few of them there. However, the most reachable and **spectacular **is the **mountain **of Khamar Daban with the heart-shaped lake hidden among the summits. If you are not afraid of two-day-long climbing activity, I recommend you to ascend the 2090-meter **Chersky peak **of Khamar Daban and conquer Heart Lake!

Khamar Daban and Chersky Peak

Chersky Peak is the **highest point **in Khamar Daban mountain chain situated in the **south **part of Baikal. The **peak **is named after Ivan **Chersky **who was a **famous geographer **and explorer of Siberia. The **path **to this **peak **goes through **Slyudyanka **(an administrative center near Kultuk). The **climb **to the peaks of **Khamar Daban **is considered relatively hard. If you are not an experienced climber, be prepared to spend two days climbing. There are yearly contests, however, when people try to rush their **ascent, **it can take only around 2 hours to **climb **(this **extreme kind **of **climbing **is called sky running). You are probably thinking why would anyone leave their **relaxing guesthouse **on **Lake Baikal **and go to this mountain. Well, I am going to show you why!

Overcome your physical limit

If you are an experienced **hiker, **then 20 km up to Chersky Peak is not such a big deal for you. However, if you never climbed a mountain before, but are eager to, this **ascent **can be a true challenge. The first few kilometres from **Slyudyanka **are **relaxing **and nice; you go along the river, and the road is not steep. You can even have a break in a café there. After the café, be ready to sweat. You will have to **climb **1500 meters above the sea level to have your next stop – **weather station **and a small camping point. You can sleep here if you feel unprepared to **climb **further. While hiking, pay attention to the **scenery **around you, it is spectacular. When you reach the weather station - relax! It's a sign that the first half of the way is behind!

I suggest you spend the night at the **camping area **because after the **weather station **the **trail **becomes very hard. If you **conquer **the **peak **in the fall, take your **waterproof **and **warm shoes and clothes with you. Although it is advisable to hike **with a guide, you can do it on your own too. You can hire a **guide **from the Russian Geographical Society, as they are real **professionals **there. The **guide **will warn you that the last kilometre of the ascent is the hardest one, but do not give up! To climb Khamar Daban and Chersky **Peak **is a **test **for your **physical but **also mental abilities. Nevertheless, the end of the **ascent **is so rewarding!

Spectacular views from Chersky Peak

Seeing **Slyudyanka **from the **top **is such a treat. The **cliffs **are covered with **trees **that grow from the cliff cracks; you will see the **snowy **white marble quarry and giant **rocks **with moss. With every kilometre of your ascent, the **views become broader, and the clouds and the fog slowly drift below your feet. Curiously enough, the path to Chersky Peak goes through the old Great Tea Way. This path **served as a main mean to **transfer tea **from **China **to **Europe **in the 18-19th centuries.

You can stay in a **tent **here and in the morning conquer Heart Lake that is located on the 2090-meter-long Chersky Peak!