Svaneti, June 2007

A final pair of shots from the Walk. Below, approaching Etseri, where it all began 2 1/2 weeks earlier. Above, the plough, which was beyond Jeff's or my mastery in the few days which we had in Etseri - though we did find other ways to help in the farming.
Tomorrow, assuming I can get a new set of pictures ready, something different will ensue on the blog.

Svaneti, June 2007

Bottom: One I forgot to include yesterday - a strikingly realistic graffito of Ioseb Jugashvili on the wall of a house in K'ala.

Middle 2: More from the hidden little spring-fed pond near the pass above Ipari.

Top: A final look at Ushba and the pond before moving on. This was the last day of the walk, getting us to Mestia, Svaneti's capital.
Jeff did part of this section on top of the horse and her load due to bad foot blisters, but the addition of his weight didn't slow her down one bit though it must have been quite uncomfortable for him, stirrups not even visible. In the end I couldn't make her slow down even to my fast walking pace, and gave Jeff full control of her speed, which was the right answer to the problem. In Mestia he and the gear continued to Etseri by car, while I got onto the Nightmare and rode her the remaining 27 km to Etseri, some of it galloping, some in rain. Was I sore after that? You bet I was.

Svaneti, June 2007

Every view of Mt Ushba is a treasure. Here are a few from the pass near Ipari as Jeff and I continued our walk back towards Etseri, to where we must return the Nightmare, our pack horse.