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the Degree Confluence Project
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Russia : Smolenskaya oblast'

3.3 km (2.0 miles) NNE of Vasil'yevka, Smolenskaya oblast', Russia
Approx. altitude: 221 m (725 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 56°S 146°W

Accuracy: 12 m (39 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: East view at the CP #3: South view at the CP #4: West view at the CP #5: GPS readings at the CP #6: Small plant in autumn colours covered by droplets of dew near the CP #7: Barbecuing after the main task was accomplished #8: Pipeline sign and Georgy Shelike #9: Hiking over a forest road

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  56°N 34°E (visit #2)  

#1: North view at the CP

(visited by Alexander Makedonov, Yury Makedonov, Galya Kyzyl-Ool and Georgy Shelike)

English narrative

Рассказ по-русски

12-Oct-2005 -- При планировании этой поездки наиболее полезным оказалось спутниковое изображение местности сайта maps.google.com; на нем видна просека, проходящая в широтном направлении возле самой точки пересечения.
Для заброски к маршруту (из Твери через Сычевку) договорились с знакомым; он днем на несколько часов уехал к бабушке в Зубцовский район - ходить с нами по лесу и тем более бросать свой VW Passat на дороге ему было не интересно.

Пешая часть состояла из двух примерно равных отрезков - сначала по лесовозной дороге на север до пересечения с просекой газопровода, затем по просеке (фото 8) в направлении точки пересечения. На просеке был недавно вырублен кустарник и острые спрятанные в траве пеньки изредка попадались под ноги.

Точка пересечения обнаружилась всего в нескольких десятках метров к югу от линии газопровода, у края широкой поляны. Трава на поляне в нескольких местах была сильно примята - похоже на лежку каких-то зверей. Мы тоже вытоптали траву, пока делали необходимые (фото 1 - 5) и не очень (фото 6) снимки. Потом углубились в лес и часа 3 отдыхали (фото 7).

Дорога назад из новых впечатлений добавила знакомство с местной микрофауной ("лосиной вошью" и что удивительно для этого сезона, парочкой клещей).

Сергей (водитель VW, совершенно не знакомый с проектом confluence.org) на следующий день осторожно интересовался: а с какой целью мы в такое время ездили за 200 км бродить по лесу?

English narrative

12-Oct-2005 -- Attempt 1
On June 28th 2004 we drove through Tver, Staritca, Zubtcov and Sychevka. We parked our car about 1 km west of Nashchekino at the intersection of a paved road and a forest dirt road (N55° 58.385' E34° 01.646'). The ruts on this forest road were pretty deep and we were afraid that our car would be stuck or that we would not be able to make a U-turn. Yury began hiking North, and finally reached a clearing (to the west of the road) at N55° 59.518', E34° 01.700' (about 2.1 km from a paved road). At this point the forest road started turning eastward away from the N56 E34 Confluence Point. Yury turned left onto this clearing. The trees had recently been cut here so lots of young bushes were growing, obstructing visibility. Soon clumps of dug up earth were discovered. Most likely it was a bear or a wild boar on the hunt for roots. Yury was not excited by the prospect of facing a bear alone, so he turned back.

Attempt 2
On October 12th 2005 we drove to the same spot (N55° 58.385' E34° 01.646') and started hiking North along the same forest road. This year we went 600 meters further North and reached a gas pipeline clearing. There we turned West and hiked along this clearing about 2.1 km.

The N56 E34 Confluence Point was located about 80 meters south of the pipeline clearing at a small field. In several spots on this field the grass blades were visibly bent, but there were no other signs of any animal. Probably our team was noisy enough to scare off any animal.


 All pictures
#1: North view at the CP
#2: East view at the CP
#3: South view at the CP
#4: West view at the CP
#5: GPS readings at the CP
#6: Small plant in autumn colours covered by droplets of dew near the CP
#7: Barbecuing after the main task was accomplished
#8: Pipeline sign and Georgy Shelike
#9: Hiking over a forest road
ALL: All pictures on one page