Part I – A New Route, Our First Tent, and the Beginning of a Beautiful Memory
Some hikes stay in your memory because of the places you see.
Others stay because of the person standing beside you.
Our hike from Juta to Abudelauri Lakes was special because it had both.
It had incredible mountains, difficult climbs, unexpected challenges, and views that are still impossible to forget. But more importantly, it was one of those moments where Tako and I were creating something together without even realizing how important it would become.
Years have passed since that adventure. Since then, we have completed many more hikes, explored many beautiful places, slept in many different campsites, and collected countless memories.
But this one is still different.
This was the first time Tako and I shared a tent together.
The first time we carried everything we needed for a two-day mountain adventure on our backs.
The first time we experienced this hidden side of Juta—a side that many visitors never reach.
Looking back now, I understand that this trip was not simply about hiking from one place to another.
It was the beginning of something special.
🏔️ Interesting Facts & Technical Details
- Route: Juta → Chaukhi Pass → Abudelauri Lakes → Roshka
- Region: Kazbegi (Khevi) to Khevsureti, Georgia
- Total Distance: ~22 km (depending on the exact route and campsites)
- Highest Point: Chaukhi Pass – approximately 3,340 m above sea level
- Starting Elevation: Juta – ~2,200 m
- Ending Elevation: Roshka – ~1,970 m
- Typical Duration: 1 demanding day or a much more enjoyable 2-day backpacking adventure
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (significantly easier from Juta to Roshka than the reverse)
- Best Season: Early July to late September, with late June and early October depending on snow conditions
- Trail Type: Point-to-point crossing between two mountain regions
More Than a Regular Juta Hike
Juta is one of the most famous hiking destinations in Georgia, and for a very good reason.
The scenery is incredible. The massive Chaukhi summits rising above the valley create one of the most recognizable mountain landscapes in the country. Every year, thousands of hikers and travelers visit Juta to experience this beauty.
Most people follow the classic route.
They hike toward the bottom of the summits, take beautiful photos, spend some time enjoying the view, and then return back the same way.
It is a moderate hike.
It is not extremely difficult.
And honestly, even that shorter route is already an amazing experience.
But going from Juta to Abudelauri Lakes is something completely different.
Once you decide not to turn back and continue deeper into the mountains, the character of the hike changes.
The distance becomes longer.
The terrain becomes rougher.
The responsibility becomes bigger.
You are no longer carrying just a small backpack with water and snacks. You are carrying your home.
A tent.
Sleeping equipment.
Food.
Warm clothes.
Everything you need to spend the night far away from civilization.
You also have to cross the mountain ridge that separates Juta from Abudelauri Lakes, which adds another level of difficulty.
It is no longer just a walk to a beautiful viewpoint.
It becomes a real adventure.
And that was exactly what we wanted.
🌄 What Makes This Route Special?
- One of the few classic Georgian treks that crosses from Kazbegi into Khevsureti, rather than returning the same way.
- The Chaukhi Massif, often nicknamed the “Georgian Dolomites,” is famous for its dramatic, needle-like peaks that dominate the skyline throughout the hike.
- The trail passes three alpine lakes—White, Blue, and Green Abudelauri Lakes—each named after its distinctive color.
- On clear days, Chaukhi Pass offers panoramic views of the surrounding Caucasus, including glaciers and rugged Khevsureti landscapes.
Preparing for the Adventure
Our trip was organized by the Georgia-based hiking company Phoenix, and our guide was Tengo.
From the beginning, we liked him a lot. He was experienced, calm, and kind—the type of person who makes you feel comfortable in the mountains. You could tell he had spent a lot of time out there and knew how to handle different situations.
Meanwhile, Tako and I were preparing seriously.
We wanted to be ready.
We packed everything carefully:
Food.
Snacks.
Warm clothes.
Camping equipment.
Camera gear.
All those small things that seem unnecessary at home but become extremely important when you are standing in the middle of the mountains.
I even decided to take my tablet with me.
The plan was simple.
After a long day of hiking, we imagined ourselves inside the tent, relaxing, maybe watching a movie together while rain or wind was outside.
It sounded like the perfect cozy mountain evening.
Funny enough…
We never used it.
Not once.
The mountains were simply too interesting.
The reality around us was much better than anything we could watch on a screen. We had the views, the silence, the fresh air, the excitement of being somewhere new.
There was no need for movies.
The mountains were already the entertainment.
🥾 Trail Tips
- Starting from Juta is considerably easier because the elevation gain is gradual, while climbing the pass from Roshka is much steeper and more physically demanding.
- Trekking poles are highly recommended, especially for the descent from Chaukhi Pass where loose scree and steep slopes can be challenging.
- Mobile signal is unreliable or completely absent along much of the trail, so offline GPS maps should be downloaded before leaving Juta.
- Proper sleeping gear makes a huge difference. During this trip I learned firsthand that a yoga mat is not a substitute for an insulated sleeping pad on cold alpine nights.
For this adventure, I also bought a brand-new tent.
A Naturehike Mongar 2.
At the time, I had no idea how important this tent would become in our lives.
I bought it specifically for this trip, but years later it is still with us. It has joined us on many adventures, survived different weather conditions, and became part of our hiking story.
Looking back now, it was one of the best outdoor purchases I ever made.
It was not just a tent.
It was the place where many memories happened.
After everything was packed, we put our backpacks on, grabbed my camera and tripod, and started our adventure.
Third photo when foreign tourists said: ‘Now kiss’, last photo is day one, when we met Niko Dzia
The First Steps Toward Juta
When we arrived in Juta and started hiking, the first uphill section immediately reminded everyone that mountain hiking with a backpack is very different from a normal walk.
Many people became tired very quickly.
For some hikers in our group, this was their first serious experience carrying a heavy backpack uphill. The difference between a simple day hike and a multi-day adventure becomes obvious very fast.
For Tako and me, however, it was not a big problem.
We had prepared well.
We were in good shape.
And instead of struggling through the first climb, we were able to enjoy the surroundings from the very beginning.
The first uphill went smoothly, and soon enough we reached one of the most famous places in Juta.
Fifth Season Hotel.
It was the perfect place for a short break.
We sat down, relaxed in the hammocks, and enjoyed the incredible mountain views around us.
Nearby, there was a foreign couple resting as well. We asked them if they could take a few photos of us together.
They happily agreed.
They took several pictures, and then suddenly they smiled and said:
“Now kiss!”
I still remember Tako’s reaction.
She immediately became embarrassed.
Her face turned completely red.
She was so surprised by the request, and honestly, she looked incredibly cute in that moment.
It was such a simple thing.
Just a random comment from strangers.
But somehow, years later, it is still one of the moments we laugh about.
That is the strange thing about memories.
The biggest moments are not always the ones you plan.
Sometimes it is a small unexpected moment that stays with you forever.
Getting close to summits, soon we will have another big uphill
Keeping the Group Together
After our break, we continued hiking.
Soon enough, the people who had stopped earlier caught up with us, and we continued together.
One thing I always appreciate about group hiking is the way people naturally look after each other.
The people in front don’t simply disappear into the distance.
If someone falls behind, others wait.
Everyone moves together.
Everyone experiences the same journey.
After the first uphill section, the trail became much easier.
The steep climb was behind us, and we continued through beautiful landscapes without any major difficulty. We walked for a couple of hours, enjoying the scenery and stopping whenever something caught our attention.
Of course, I was taking photos.
I always do.
Sometimes hiking as a photographer is a little complicated because you are constantly fighting between two feelings.
One part of you wants to keep moving and enjoy the hike.
The other part sees another beautiful scene and immediately thinks:
“I need to capture this.”
A mountain peak.
A change in light.
A small detail on the trail.
A moment between people.
Sometimes I probably stopped more often than necessary, but those pauses are part of the adventure too.
The camera was not slowing me down.
It was helping me notice more.
And then, while walking along the trail, something unexpected happened.
We met someone very special.
📷 Photographer’s Notes
- Sunrise and sunset create the best light on the Chaukhi Massif, with warm alpenglow illuminating the rock faces.
- Long exposure photography works beautifully on the waterfalls and streams near the campsite.
- The area offers excellent opportunities for Milky Way photography, although mountain weather can quickly cover the sky—as it did during my trip.
- Every stage of the route provides unique compositions, from dramatic mountain panoramas to intimate camping scenes and colorful alpine lakes.
Meeting Uncle Niko
While hiking through Juta, we suddenly came across one of the most recognizable people in Georgian hiking culture.
Niko Dzia.
Uncle Niko.
For many hikers in Georgia, he is a true legend.
He was leading his own group of hikers who were doing the classic one-day Juta route.
When we recognized him, both sides became excited.
We greeted each other, asked how he was doing, and talked for a while.
What made him especially happy was hearing that we were not simply doing the regular Juta hike.
We were continuing all the way to Abudelauri Lakes.
A two-day route.
A mountain crossing.
Carrying our own equipment.
He really liked that.
He understood that we were looking for something more than just reaching a viewpoint and returning home.
Of course, we took some photos together.
Then Uncle Niko told us something interesting.
The next day, he would also have another hiking tour.
This time…
To Abudelauri Lakes.
So there was a possibility that we might meet again.
Think about that.
One day we meet Uncle Niko in Juta.
The next day, after crossing the ridge that separates these two valleys, we might meet him again near Abudelauri Lakes.
At that moment, it sounded almost impossible.
But later…
That exact thing happened.
Our final uphill before campsite, waterfall was beautiful
The Final Push to Camp
After continuing further, we reached another turning point.
Ahead of us was the final uphill section of the day.
Our campsite was waiting beneath the Juta summits.
By this point, the difficulty of the route was starting to show.
One person from our group became extremely exhausted.
It was his first serious hike with a backpack, and the combination of distance, elevation, and weight became too much.
Eventually, he decided to turn back.
It was not an easy decision, but mountains always require respect. Knowing your limits is also part of hiking.
The rest of us continued.
For Tako and me, this final climb was one of the most exciting parts of the day.
We had visited Juta before, but never from this perspective.
This was a completely new path.
A completely new experience.
We were seeing a side of Juta that most visitors never reach.
The landscape slowly changed around us.
The mountains became larger.
The valley opened wider.
Every turn revealed another incredible view.
And as a photographer, moments like this are almost overwhelming.
You have a camera in your hand, but sometimes you don’t even know where to point it.
Every direction deserves a photograph.
Every few minutes, I stopped to capture another scene.
The excitement was incredible.
We were not simply walking toward a campsite.
We were exploring something new.
Something unknown.
Something that belonged only to us.
And as the evening approached, we finally saw our destination.
A beautiful campsite waiting directly beneath the towering peaks.
Our first night together in the mountains was about to begin.
Part II – Our First Night Beneath the Summits
After hours of hiking, carrying our backpacks through the beautiful but demanding terrain of Juta, we finally reached our campsite.
And what a place it was.
The campsite was located directly beneath the massive Chaukhi summits.
Standing there, surrounded by enormous mountains, I immediately felt that this was not just another place where we would spend the night.
It was special.
A small mountain stream was flowing right in front of us. The grass around us was soft and green. The peaks were rising above us like giant walls protecting this little valley.
It felt like nature itself had created the perfect campsite.
A place meant for hikers.
A place meant for moments like this.
After carrying heavy backpacks for so many hours, the first thing we wanted to do was simple:
Take them off.
That feeling is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced a long mountain hike.
A backpack that feels completely normal at the beginning slowly becomes part of your body. After several hours, every extra kilogram starts reminding you that it is there.
So when you finally put it down…
The relief is incredible.
Your shoulders relax.
Your back feels lighter.
Your body suddenly remembers what it feels like to be free.
We had arrived.
This was going to be our home for the night.
⛺ Camping Notes
- Camping beneath the Chaukhi Massif was one of the highlights of this journey and remains one of the most scenic campsites I’ve ever experienced.
- Water is plentiful throughout the route thanks to numerous mountain streams, making it unnecessary to carry excessive amounts from the start.
- There is no firewood above the alpine zone, so a lightweight gas stove is essential if you plan to cook.
- Mountain weather changes rapidly—even warm summer afternoons can become cold, windy, or rainy within minutes.
Building Our Little Mountain Home
The first thing I did was unpack our brand-new tent.
The Naturehike Mongar 2.
Its first real adventure.
I remember being excited while setting it up. It was not just another piece of camping equipment anymore. It represented something new for us.
This was the first time Tako and I were going to spend a night together in a tent, surrounded only by mountains and nature.
Luckily, setting it up was simple.
I quickly figured everything out, and soon enough our little mountain home was ready.
Looking back now, it is amazing to think about how much history this tent has collected since that day.
At that moment, it was brand new.
A completely empty space waiting for its first memory.
But over the years, it has protected us from rain, wind, cold nights, and unexpected weather. It has joined us on many adventures and become a small but important part of our hiking story.
Every scratch and every mark on it has a story behind it.
And this was the first one.
Taking photos after setting up our tent and visiting waterfall again
Enjoying the Afternoon Sun
After setting up camp and organizing our things, we decided not to immediately hide inside the tent.
The weather was beautiful.
The sun was still shining.
The mountains around us were too amazing to ignore.
So we took our sleeping pads outside and simply relaxed in the open field.
No schedule.
No responsibilities.
No need to rush anywhere.
Just us, the mountains, and the feeling of finally arriving.
I still remember how much I loved that moment.
After carrying everything on our backs for hours, lying there under the warm sun felt incredible.
I closed my eyes for a while, completely relaxed, and I think I even fell asleep for around 10–15 minutes.
It was not a planned nap.
It was one of those mountain naps that simply happens.
Fresh air.
Silence.
Sunlight.
A tired body finally resting after a long day.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt refreshed in a way that is difficult to explain.
It almost felt like the mountains had charged my batteries.
Like all the effort from the day had been worth it just for that one peaceful moment.
Exploring Juta With My Camera
Unfortunately, mountain evenings do not wait for anyone.
The sun disappears much faster when you are surrounded by huge peaks, and we knew we still wanted to explore the area.
So we packed our sleeping gear inside the tent and decided to walk around before darkness arrived.
Of course, I took my camera and tripod with me.
There was no chance I would leave them behind.
This was exactly why I carried them.
Juta from this perspective felt completely different.
We had visited this area before, but this was another side of it.
Closer.
Wilder.
More personal.
The usual tourist paths show you the beauty of Juta from a distance.
But being there, camping beneath the summits, felt like we had stepped inside the landscape itself.
The mountains were no longer just something we were looking at.
We were surrounded by them.
Every direction looked like a photograph.
And this is one of the challenges of landscape photography.
Sometimes the problem is not finding a beautiful scene.
The problem is deciding which beautiful scene deserves your attention first.
You look left.
Amazing.
You look right.
Also amazing.
You turn around.
Another perfect frame.
I kept stopping again and again.
A different angle.
A different shadow.
A different moment of light.
The camera was constantly in my hands.
But honestly, I was not chasing perfect photographs.
I was trying to save pieces of that feeling.
Because I already knew that one day I would want to remember exactly how it felt to stand there.
The Waterfall and Long Exposure Photography
As we continued exploring, we walked a little further and discovered a beautiful waterfall.
For me, this was an exciting discovery.
I had my tripod.
I had my ND filter.
And I had moving mountain water in front of me.
Everything was ready.
I immediately started preparing for long exposure photography.
There is something special about photographing waterfalls.
With a normal photograph, you capture a single moment.
But with a long exposure, time itself becomes part of the image.
The flowing water changes completely.
The movement becomes smooth and silky.
The waterfall almost stops looking like water and starts looking like a stream of white mist flowing through the landscape.
I carefully composed the shots, adjusted the settings, and waited for the camera to capture the scene.
When I looked at the results, I was genuinely happy.
The photos came out beautifully.
But years later, when I think about that moment, the photo itself is not the first thing that comes to mind.
I remember standing there.
I remember the sound of the waterfall.
I remember the cold mountain air.
I remember the feeling of holding my camera while being surrounded by those enormous peaks.
That is the strange thing about photography.
Sometimes the most valuable part of a photograph is not what appears inside the frame.
It is everything you felt while taking it.
Sunset Beneath the Peaks
As evening approached, the temperature started dropping.
This is one thing about mountains that always surprises people.
During the day, the sun can make everything feel warm and comfortable.
Then suddenly…
The sun disappears.
And the mountains remind you who is in charge.
The temperature dropped quickly.
We decided to return to the campsite and get warmer clothes, but we still wanted to spend some time outside and watch the sunset.
So we stayed nearby.
We watched the final light touch the peaks.
The colors slowly changed.
The shadows became longer.
The valley became quieter.
The entire atmosphere changed.
There was no need for conversation.
Sometimes you simply stand there and enjoy the fact that you are lucky enough to experience something like this.
Those moments are difficult to describe.
You cannot really explain them.
You can only remember them.
Then, almost immediately after the sun disappeared…
The cold arrived.
And it arrived fast.
We quickly went back inside the tent.
Tako took this photo with her phone, I think outside was already raining
Our First Night Together in a Tent
For both of us, this was completely new.
It was the first time Tako and I were sharing a tent together.
At first, it felt a little unusual.
Not bad.
Just unfamiliar.
Two people suddenly sharing a small space.
Sleeping bags.
Backpacks.
Clothes.
Camera equipment.
Everything has to find its place.
But very quickly, that strange feeling disappeared.
It started feeling natural.
Comfortable.
Like this was exactly where we were supposed to be.
Tako took out her phone, and we started taking photos together inside the tent.
Simple photos.
Nothing professionally planned.
Nothing perfect.
But those photos became some of our favorite memories.
Even today, years later, we sometimes look at them and remember that evening.
We remember how excited we were.
How new everything felt.
How we were sitting there, inside our little tent, surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in Georgia.
Those photos are not special because of the quality.
They are special because they captured a feeling.
A moment in time that can never happen again in exactly the same way.
Rain Outside, Warmth Inside
After some time, something unexpected happened.
Rain started.
At first, just a few drops.
Then more.
Soon, the sound of rain completely surrounded our tent.
There is something incredibly peaceful about being inside a tent while rain falls outside.
The outside world disappears.
You hear every drop hitting the fabric.
The mountains become hidden in darkness.
And your small shelter becomes your entire world.
There is a unique feeling of safety when you are inside a tent during bad weather.
You know that outside there is wind, rain, and cold.
But inside, you are warm.
You are protected.
You are sharing that small space with someone important.
After such a long day of hiking, we were exhausted.
Very exhausted.
Even though it was still early—around 21:00—we decided to sleep.
The rain continued falling.
The sound was incredibly relaxing.
And surrounded by that rhythm, we fell asleep quickly.
A Difficult Moment During the Night
Sometime during the night, Tako woke up.
She was not feeling well.
Her stomach was upset, and she needed to go outside for a little while.
Of course, I immediately became worried.
Mountain trips are amazing, but small problems always feel bigger when you are far from home.
Luckily, I had brought charcoal tablets with me for stomach problems.
I gave them to her, and thankfully they helped.
After some time, she started feeling better, and we managed to fall asleep again.
Looking back, it was just a small moment.
But that is what real adventures are made of.
Not only the perfect sunsets.
Not only the incredible views.
Also the uncomfortable moments.
The unexpected problems.
The little things that happen when two people are sharing an experience together.
Those moments become part of the story too.
Waiting for the Stars
During the night, I woke up several times.
I was hoping the clouds would disappear.
I had brought my camera and tripod because I really wanted to try astrophotography.
The idea was incredible in my mind.
A tent beneath the Chaukhi summits.
The mountains illuminated by moonlight.
The Milky Way stretching above us.
It would have been the perfect mountain photograph.
I imagined the composition.
I imagined the final image.
I was ready.
But every time I looked outside…
Clouds.
Nothing but clouds.
The rain had stopped, but the sky remained completely covered.
No stars.
No Milky Way.
No astrophotography that night.
Of course, I was disappointed.
As a photographer, when you carry your gear for a specific shot and nature says “not today,” it always hurts a little.
But looking back now, that disappointment feels very small.
Because the truth is…
I was already experiencing something much more valuable.
I was lying inside a tent with Tako.
Surrounded by the Chaukhi mountains.
Living a moment that we would remember for years.
And honestly…
That was already more than enough.
Super cold morning, it was freezing so much
A Freezing Morning Ahead
Eventually, morning arrived.
And it arrived cold.
Very cold.
Back then, I was not nearly as prepared for mountain camping as I am today.
My sleeping setup was far from ideal.
Instead of a proper insulated sleeping pad, I was using a simple yoga mat.
I did not have a proper base layer.
My sleeping bag was also not warm enough for those conditions.
So during that night, I learned a lesson that every mountain lover eventually learns:
Good gear matters.
A lot.
Especially when you are sleeping in the mountains.
But the morning had another surprise waiting for me.
A much colder one.
Because while trying to wash my face near the stream…
I was about to have the most unexpected morning shower of my life.
Part III – Crossing the Ridge, Finding the Lakes, and Creating Memories Forever
Morning arrived slowly beneath the Chaukhi summits.
After a cold night inside the tent, waking up was not easy.
The temperature had dropped significantly, and I immediately felt the consequences of my poor preparation back then.
Today, after many years of hiking and camping experience, I understand much better how important proper equipment is. A good sleeping pad, the right clothing layers, and a suitable sleeping bag can completely change your experience.
But back then, I was still learning.
And honestly, some of those uncomfortable moments became the memories we laugh about the most.
Before starting the second day of hiking, I wanted to take care of some basic things.
Personal hygiene is always a little more complicated during mountain trips, but luckily we had something amazing right next to our campsite.
A mountain stream.
The water was crystal clear, flowing directly from the mountains.
I walked there to wash my face and hands, still half asleep and trying to properly wake up.
Everything seemed completely normal.
Until suddenly…
It wasn’t.
My Unexpected Morning Swim
While standing near the stream, I stepped onto a stone that looked stable enough.
It wasn’t.
The rock was slippery, and before I could react, my foot lost grip.
The next thing I knew…
I was in the water.
Completely.
Right in the freezing mountain stream.
For a second, I just stood there in disbelief.
I couldn’t believe what had happened.
I was already cold from the night.
My sleeping setup had not been warm enough.
And now, first thing in the morning, I had somehow managed to throw myself into icy mountain water.
Exactly what I needed.
A perfect start to the day. 😄
I immediately rushed back toward the tent to change into dry clothes.
When Tako heard what happened, she started laughing so hard.
And honestly…
I couldn’t blame her.
If I had watched someone else do the same thing, I would probably have laughed too.
At that moment, it was definitely not funny for me.
But years later?
It became one of those stories that we happily tell again and again.
The Worst Mountain Breakfast Ever
After everyone woke up, it was time for breakfast.
We decided to prepare noodles.
Simple.
Easy.
Exactly what we needed after a freezing night.
The problem was simple: noodles require hot water.
Our guide Tengo had a stove and had kindly promised that he would provide boiled water for us.
Unfortunately, mountain plans do not always go exactly as expected.
His gas ran out earlier than planned.
Instead of properly boiling water, we ended up with water that was only slightly warm.
We poured it over the noodles anyway.
We were hungry.
We were cold.
We were hopeful.
Maybe it would still work.
It didn’t.
The result was probably one of the worst mountain meals we have ever had.
The noodles were barely cooked.
The water was not hot enough.
The whole thing was honestly a disaster.
But the funny thing is…
We didn’t really care.
There we were, sitting in the middle of the mountains, freezing, hungry, eating terrible noodles.
And somehow, it was still a great moment.
Because years later, I don’t remember the taste of those noodles.
I remember us laughing.
I remember the situation.
I remember thinking:
“Well… this is definitely not the breakfast we imagined.”
Those are the moments that become stories.
Preparing for day two, sun felt so good after freezing morning
Preparing for the Ridge
After our unforgettable breakfast, we started preparing for the second day of hiking.
The hardest part of the journey was waiting for us.
The ridge.
Before packing the tent, I noticed that it had collected moisture during the cold night.
Instead of immediately putting it into my backpack, I decided to let it dry first.
The morning sun was slowly reaching our campsite.
And those first warm rays felt incredible.
After spending the night freezing, feeling sunlight touch my face felt almost magical.
I remember standing there, eyes closed, face turned toward the sun like a plant desperate for light, feeling the warmth slowly seep through my cold clothes.
It was such a simple thing.
Just sunlight.
Nothing more.
But when you are cold, tired, and far away in the mountains, simple things become precious.
A few minutes of sunlight can feel like a gift.
Slowly, the campsite came alive.
Everyone started preparing.
Sleeping bags were packed.
Backpacks were organized.
The tent was folded.
Our temporary home disappeared, leaving almost no trace behind.
Soon enough, everyone was ready.
And we started climbing toward the ridge.
Near ridge already, view was fascinating, just mind-blowing
Walking Through Snow in Summer
The group moved slowly upward.
By this point, yesterday’s effort was starting to show.
A long first day.
Heavy backpacks.
Increasing elevation.
All of these things were affecting everyone.
But we were determined.
We wanted to finish what we started.
Step by step, we continued higher.
And as we gained elevation, the landscape began changing dramatically.
The green valleys slowly disappeared.
The terrain became rougher.
The air felt different.
And then we started seeing snow.
Lots of snow.
During the warm season.
For us, it was an incredible experience.
At that time, we had never experienced anything like it.
There we were:
Warm sunlight above us.
Snow beneath our feet.
Huge mountain peaks surrounding us.
It felt like we had entered another world.
This is one of the reasons I love mountains so much.
They constantly surprise you.
You can start your day surrounded by green valleys and finish it walking through snow.
Nature does not follow the expectations we create in our minds.
The View Kept Getting Better
The higher we climbed, the more impressive everything became.
Looking back toward Juta, the Chaukhi summits looked completely different.
Yesterday, we were standing beneath them.
Now, we were slowly rising above them.
The perspective had changed.
The mountains that had seemed enormous from below now felt like part of a much bigger landscape.
Of course, my camera was constantly in my hands.
As a photographer, moments like this are both amazing and challenging.
You want to capture everything.
But at the same time, you realize that no photograph can fully represent what you are seeing.
The scale.
The silence.
The feeling of standing there.
A picture can show the mountains.
It cannot show how small you feel standing among them.
It cannot show the cold wind on your face.
It cannot show the excitement inside you.
That is why we take photographs.
Not because they replace the memory.
But because they help us return to it.
The Photograph That Became a Treasure
At one point during the climb, we stopped for a break.
The view behind us was incredible.
The Chaukhi summits were rising dramatically in the background.
Tako decided to pose in front of them, and I started taking photos.
One particular photo immediately stood out.
She was sitting there with the mountains behind her, surrounded by this incredible landscape.
At that moment, it was simply another beautiful hiking photograph.
I liked it.
But I had no idea how meaningful it would become.
Years later, I printed that photo and gave it to Tako as a gift.
Today, that picture hangs on the wall in our home.
And every time we see it, we remember that day.
We remember the cold.
The effort.
The excitement.
The feeling of standing there together.
The funny thing is, technically, it is not the most perfect photograph I have ever taken.
The composition could probably be improved.
The light could have been different.
But none of that matters.
Because when I look at it, I don’t see a photograph.
I see that moment.
I see Tako sitting there.
I see the mountains behind her.
I see us, at the beginning of many more adventures together.
That is why some photographs are priceless.
Not because they are perfect.
Because they contain a memory.
On the ridge, do you see lake behind us? That is Abudelauri white lake!
Reaching the Ridge
Finally…
We reached the top.
And then we saw it.
Abudelauri Lakes.
All three of them.
From above.
For a moment, we simply stood there.
Taking it in.
The view was absolutely breathtaking.
It felt almost unreal.
Looking down at the lakes from the ridge, I felt like we were birds flying high above the mountains, seeing the world from a completely different perspective.
Behind us were the Juta summits.
In front of us were the Abudelauri Lakes.
Two valleys.
Two landscapes.
Connected by one incredible trail.
I remember feeling incredibly grateful at that moment.
Not just because we reached the destination.
But because we were lucky enough to experience this place.
Together.
We stayed there for a long time.
We took photos.
We ate snacks.
We enjoyed the view.
And honestly, those moments on the ridge are still some of my favorite hiking memories.
The Descent to White Lake
Eventually, it was time to continue.
Our first destination was White Lake.
The descent was not easy.
There was still plenty of ice around the lake, making some areas very slippery.
I was especially careful because I had my camera with me.
Falling is one thing.
Breaking your camera is another. 😄
Luckily, everything went well.
After reaching the lake, we continued downward.
And then came another challenge.
The slope became extremely steep.
Almost unbelievably steep.
The ground was loose and sandy, making every step interesting.
It felt almost like walking down through snow.
Because the angle was so sharp, we lost elevation incredibly quickly.
It almost felt like the mountain was pulling us downward.
During this descent, Tako also slipped and fell.
Luckily, she was completely fine.
No injuries.
Nothing serious.
Just another little adventure moment that became part of the story.
Going down the ridge, in the distance we saw Niko Dzia, first photo is taken by him
A Feather for Tako
During the descent, I noticed something beautiful on the trail.
A feather.
I picked it up and gave it to Tako.
She placed it in her hair.
And for a moment, standing there among the mountains, she looked incredibly beautiful.
It was such a small gesture.
Nothing planned.
Nothing dramatic.
Just a simple feather found during a mountain walk.
But somehow, that tiny moment stayed with me.
Because not every important memory is a huge event.
Sometimes it is just a small thing shared with someone you love.
Here we met Niko Dzia again, day two, first two photos were taken by him
Meeting Uncle Niko Again
As we continued descending, something incredible happened.
Far in the distance, I noticed a person approaching us.
At first, I couldn’t see clearly.
But something about the way he walked looked familiar.
Then suddenly, I realized.
It was Uncle Niko.
Just like he told us the previous day.
He was there.
At Abudelauri Lakes.
With his second hiking group.
For a moment, it felt almost impossible.
The day before, we had met him in Juta.
Now, after crossing the ridge, we were meeting him again on the other side of the mountains.
What are the chances?
We greeted each other with huge smiles.
He congratulated us for successfully completing the crossing.
We took photos together again.
And Uncle Niko also captured some photos of us from a distance while we were descending.
I still have those photos today.
They are a beautiful reminder of that incredible coincidence.
The Backpack Lesson
We reached the lower area before the rest of our group, so we decided to wait.
Only then did I realize how much I had been sweating.
My T-shirt was completely soaked.
When I took it off, it was almost dripping.
Tako looked at me in disbelief.
She couldn’t understand how someone could sweat so much in the mountains.
The explanation was simple.
I was wearing a rain jacket to protect myself from the wind.
The problem?
It trapped all the heat inside.
A classic beginner hiking mistake.
Another lesson learned.
After everyone regrouped, we continued our journey.
First came White Lake.
Then Blue Lake.
And finally Green Lake.
Each lake had its own character.
Its own beauty.
We took photos.
We enjoyed the views.
We talked.
We laughed.
At this point, the hardest part was behind us.
We knew the adventure was slowly coming to an end.
But we tried to enjoy every remaining moment.
The Backpack Lesson
After passing Green Lake and walking another few kilometers, something unfortunate happened.
My cheap backpack started breaking.
First one part failed.
Then another.
Soon enough, carrying it became extremely uncomfortable.
At that moment, I was simply thankful it didn’t happen earlier.
Imagine that backpack failing during the ridge crossing.
Or during that steep descent.
That would have been a completely different story.
This experience taught me one important lesson:
Never underestimate the importance of good equipment in the mountains.
After this trip, I bought an Osprey backpack.
And since then, it has never failed me.
Not once.
Going through different lakes, here we already passed white lake and we are going through blue one towards green one. On the second image you can see Tengo, our guide
The End of One Adventure, The Beginning of Many More
Eventually, the hiking part was finished.
We reached our transport, took off our backpacks, and prepared for the journey home.
Everyone was tired.
But everyone was happy.
We had completed something truly special.
Looking back now, this hike remains one of the most meaningful adventures of my life.
Not only because of the landscapes.
Not only because of the route.
But because of the memories we created together.
This was the first time Tako and I shared a tent.
The first time we carried our little home on our backs.
The first time we truly experienced what it meant to explore mountains together.
Since then, we have had many more adventures.
Many more hikes.
Many more unforgettable moments.
But Juta to Abudelauri Lakes will always have a special place in our hearts.
Because this was not just a hiking route.
It was the beginning of a new chapter.
A chapter filled with mountains, adventures, laughter, challenges, and memories that we still carry with us today.
And every time we look back at those photographs…
We do not just remember a trip.
We remember the beginning of something beautiful.
❤️ A Personal Fact
This wasn’t just another hike—it was the first time Tako and I shared a tent together. Looking back, this journey became far more than a mountain crossing. It marked the beginning of countless adventures, and every time I look at the photographs from those two days, I remember not only the landscapes, but the memories that made this hike unforgettable.
