International Ukraine Karpat Tour

[Deleted]

you making us very jealous. it looks like you had a great trip

[powdersnow]

DAY 4 on tour:


Another sunrise like in fairytale







Breakfast with visions.



The sheepherder are from spril until october up in the mountains. Most time alone and not any comfort. Off course he visited us at night and in morning and got some presents.





















Amazing views in all directions.









Our way lead us down to the valley.















On way down we met this sheepherder. Immediate we got offered fresh chees and bread. We offered a bottle of Vodka, so we also got live music.









Chees is total fresh and natural and absolute, not even salt was added. Delicious!





So the sheepherder live for more than half year. They dont own the sheep, they only get paid (very very little) to keep them.















Not only Niva looks small beside this monster.



All grass get cut by hand, mashines are still too expensive.





Steep and stony... only on picture it looks like boring.





Fuelstop in small village.





















A real small village with about 1000 people living there. And a big Lada- store. Ukraine is more than heaven for Lada driver.



Off course we buy some parts, special spring from Lada 2102. Normally not easy to get, they are harder than normal.





















Everywhere smiling and waving children.
















Sometimes little work to do, but these amazing trucks will be alive for many many more generations.



In this case you push back unsolicited












-
Deeper and deeper into the forest... track got more narrow and muddy.























We id it! The next beautiful sleeping place.



It is a mystery where my Niva got this stick



... this evening we did some serive on our cars.





The only one original Niva got the harder springs....



.... my Niva got the airshocks repaired. But it worked only for three hours on the next day.

[powdersnow]

DAY 5 on tour:







Next to our camp side was a small spring.









Just right after start first serious parts.



















All hands helped together, so it take little time to modify our path.













Here we had been next to our limit. Nearly all cars stuck sometimes, other (Jeep) most time. Nobody drive her before us for long time.

























Jeep was too low, he touch the ground all time.







In left hand you can see a tool for collecting the blue berries.



We did this track very slowly but safe one after another.























Badly we got back to a normal forest road again.















Some little cleaning and washing at the river...













... and refixing steering.











Like new







A german guy ride his bike all alone from Poland too the Black Sea. RESPECT



We touched a small village, and got into a marriage.



Some impressions out of the moving car.















Up again. This time no mud, only stones and dust.





Our last camp side.





Thius family had a car brake down. Ignition coil was destroyed. We also dont had a fitting one with us, so they had to find other solution... finally, after some hours, they started angine again. With a coil from a small relai. Ja, it worked



First some small appetizer from Misha...





... and after dinner some sport...



... and later last time sitting around the fire.

[/quote]

[spikes]

Great trip, great pictures!

Thanks again for sharing.

Spikes

[Deleted]

Brilliant pictures as always. Thank you for sharing

[powdersnow]

DAY 6 last on tour:



A last time sun waked us. :lovit:





After six days parctice everything work smooth in the mornng.... an we had some very fine equipment.



Blueberries, all time with us. Some places i could eat them just by piking up from driving car. It was perfect time this year.

up.picr.de/15792852tq.jpg[/img



Sleeping place was on half way up.



Toyota got front wheel bearing refixed... take only 10 minutes.



We go up even more... right to the summit, near 2000m









Another very steep part. Too steep for Samurai with small engine. Niva had to winch him up.









Starting driving here was hard with normal Nva. This Niva has a shorter t case and shorter gear box. He can go even more steep with out destroying clutch. I want this too!



For many kilometers again on the top. And gain great views everywhere.











The horses did´nt even mind us... in the cars. If we step out they got nervous and angry. Maybe they missed enough alcohol in our smell?



Short brake at the next summit.







From summit to summit, always on top of the range. Great ending for one perfekt week!









Only for safety Samurai got fixed to Toyota in the steepest places.





























Everything wonderfull and suddenly next brake down. On my car One fixing bolt for rear shock broke. So the shock got to the stony ground and was destroyed. Also panhrdstab and hand brake adjustement was damaged.



Shaking like a drunken cow Niva felt with only one shock left. But ok for driving.



Airspring again brake. It is my fault, i did bad prework. Next time will do it better.











You see the two cars on top? ... it is very steep!





End of second week we got to this lake. You will see the pics also in some time...

































A last time up, to the very last summit.





From top you see skilifts, hotels and so. There we will go down to the valley and back home to start.






One thunderstorm, first this week...



... and we got directly into...



... at least (last) one track without dust









In Mukatschewe some car cleaning...



... of course by Ukrainian girls















We had to wait little longer for our salvific shower...



... lokk like nothing happend!









After shower we had fine dinner in the hotel and long talks with much beer....



... so we where no longer allowed to service our cars



Very fast this week was over. We had a real good time, all people so good mood, it was great.



All beer was empty, so we had to go to sleep...

Fine you enyou the pics, ot a pleasure to show!

... next week will top this week, for shure... but it take some time...


greets Jakob

[powdersnow]

Oh, i nearly forgot to show the last day pics...

Going home:



Again good wetaher. Today we did some small shopping, fuel and some Lada parts. Than direct to borders.





When i see this first time my heart was pumping fast. So feel every Lada driver who comes here first time. You get all parts in original quality for very fair price. You get all kind of tuning for normal money. For example they have three kind of modified front axle/ bearing in the shop.


Also you can get all kind of aftermarket stuff. From very very cheap China produktion to expensive rare ones.



If intersting for you we can try to find right hand parts you dont get anymore... maybe somewhere possible to get... just tell me.






Thats it, all members got over border... except Marcus, he stay to weeks like me






greets Jakob

[spikes]

Thanks again for the share!

At what altitude were you when the Suzuki had to be towed, please?

I also see one of the newer Suzuki's in the pictures. How did that do compared to the SJ410 (old type)

[Deleted]

Im glad that spares shop is not near me, or else I would be bankrupt every month

[powdersnow]

Ja, living next to this shop is big danger... i like most you get really everything. They have every possible bolt or small plastic clip as well as old rear door in storage. All together both groups will have spent near 1000EUR in this shop

Highest point was near 2000m. This very sdeep parts all between 1400- 2000m. Engine is smallest (i think 1.2l) and no shorter diffs but bigger tyres. With all equipment in car not enaugh. He all time go with full gas. If have to stop can not go on again.

Other suzuki, new Jimny, is very very good modified. Three diff blocks, bigger engine (1,6l), shorter diffs., shorter gear box, and some more. He didnt had any problem any time. This Jimny is way better than Romis or my modified Niva. Only bad thing about it: very small inside and very hard driving, no comfort at all.



greets Jakob

[Ihar]

That altitude in not that high, most of SA in the interior is between 1200 and1700 metres, with the mountain ranges up to 3500 metres.

Chris, whom you met and I live at about 1550m above sea level.

Tjeers

Steve

[dimitris]

Hi Jakob, your photos are amazing .... a really nice tour!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Had you any problems with your Weber carb when you drove off road over steep inclines uphills?

Cheers Dimitris

[spikes]

Sept 17, 2013 19:51:15 GMT 2 powdersnow said:

Highest point was near 2000m. This very sdeep parts all between 1400- 2000m. Engine is smalleslarge tyres think 1.2l) and no shorter diffs but bigger tyres. With all equipment in car not enaugh. He all time go with full gas. If have to stop can not go on again.

Other suzuki, new Jimny, is very very good modified. Three diff blocks, bigger engine (1,6l), shorter diffs., shorter gear box, and some more. He didnt had any problem any time. This Jimny is way better than Romis or my modified Niva. Only bad thing about it: very small inside and very hard driving, no comfort at all.



greets Jakob

Thanks Jakob, 

Yes if the sj410 owner did not change diff ratios,  it would battle with those large tires an the small engine's output 

Spikes 

[powdersnow]

Sept 18, 2013 6:55:57 GMT 2 dimitris said:

Had you any problems with your Weber carb when you drove off road over steep inclines uphills?

Thanks, it gives me a smile you all like the pics!

I answer here about Weber: klick




greets Jakob

[powdersnow]

Start second week foto story. Slowly, day by day....

Journey:

Some niva had to go very far distance to arrive the Ukraine. From northern part of germany it way more than 1000km one diistance. Not that easy with all the stuff and four peple inside a small Niva. Respekt



This green Single pointer always made problems. But nothing serious, all time continue driving after some minutes work.



Cooling system, starter, front bumper, heating and so stuff made problems.









Just before the border to ukraine all members from germany met and continued together.







Like last week all poeople stay i this nice hotel.









One Niva from Gremany and me stayd two weeks. All saturday we both serviced Niva. At a friend of Romi in a small garage.



After finishing late at night we met the new memebers first time and had some good time into the night. three of this weeks memebers also joined last years tour!


greets Jakob

[powdersnow]

DAY 2: ...happy on tour...

after a relaxing sleep all members wanted only one thing- offroad!
Breakfast, short diskussion and grouppicture. After this short stop for fuel, money change and some food we drive about 100km on asphalt.



10 cars this week, two of the three Lithuanains from frist week also continued. Sadly only for three days.

22 person at all. Very nice- also six children!
8 from Germany, 7 from Slowenia, 4 from Lithuania, 2 from Ukraine, 1 from Austria.
1 Landcruiser (4.3l Diesel), 1 Jimny, 1 Samurai, 7 Niva





T shirt and sticker again...











... short introducion.



Here we change money, it was the cheapest way







Soon road got curvy...



... and finally we lost the asphalt.



Fast we got up, very dusty and steep. This forst just got cut, so the road was in bad condition.


For me unbelievabel. Sleeping in moving Niva is taff. But sleeping while drivng this area is just hardcore.




We rrived the forst and just in moment our way got muddy.





Samurai just wanted to turn... here not possible with out help.



free view?











Not easy to stay in the right track...







... but only one Niva and Samurai needed help.

























All did well the first taff part.










We got up even more steep, and soon arrived the summit, about 1500m higher than the valley we started.





Very sadly Samurai broke again his rear spring. it was welded on weekend, but not fine. We fixed it again just to can continue our tour.







Of course also this week millions of blue berries





We had to fix the spring soon, a big thunderstorm was generated exactly above our group. In the mountains this happens very fast, after 10 minutes first lightning and rain started. Very dangerous in this free area, so everybody had to stay in car and we tried to go to a safer place as fast as possible.









Also this old man from the weather station on the top told us to be cerafull with this thunderstorm.



Quikly we collected all blue berry searchers.







Very surreal atmosphere. Rain, wind, dust and many many lightnings.







All around still suneshine, only here one thunderstorm.



The last car arrived the safe forest and it started with hail. Big hail, up to 4cm. It is bad feeling, very very noisy in the cars.



With out a safe car this can be very painfull to human body.







After 10 minutes hail stopped and it started raining very hard. So our way got a small river. In the rising water many moving stones and wood. No easy driving.



We drive very slowly down and so all arrived safe.





In the valley very very hot an high hummidity, like in the jungle.



For some kilometer we stayed beside this train route and a river.



Dont look very safe, but worked all time correct.











The river crossing had been big pleasure, we had temperature about 38°C.







It is yours coice: down in river with big stones or up on rusty bridge









Now, in safe distance to the thunderstorm, we fixed the spring more safly...



... did some input...



... and changed one tyre.



Landcrusier had to refix front wheel bearing.





We drove thru some small rural villages. It is very very rare that foreign come to this places, so all children run to see us. Some pics out of the moving car:





Perfect timing









Short before getting dark we arrived our first sleeping place. Very fine, directly beside a river.





First some apetizer, later good dinner from Misha again.



We had a lot to talk, it was a very interesting day.

[powdersnow]

DAY 3:





Even in the morning it was hot with 30°C,m so taking a bath in cool river was big fun.







Same like last week... it take some hours to repair, so we started at 11am.







Thermostat was put out of green Niva... for a hopefully cooler engine.



... stoped with a piece of wood


All 5 minutes short stop from working to cool the head down.





For children it was big fun, they had been in water all the time.



One last time cooling, than we started.



Start was beside a river...



... later beside a small stream...



... and than in the stream and very very steep.





this day was a day full of break downs. First one was very easy, only front shock fixing.


Serviced after 5 minutes...



... but it was too slowly. This group of sheep overtake us, so we had to wait.









It was good we waited, just at the tightest part another group came down. There qwould had been no space for all cars beside each other.









At one point the children got afraid of all the sheeps and hide in Niva. Most German people are not used to so much nature







Waiting for last car form up...



... and first discussion about best track.





First niva did well, and so did also all other cars.



Not easy but possible...



... of course with some help



Children never got enough from water







After this taff part we waited together...



... and compared our first Karpat scars Five cars already got some scars.



Landcruiser screamed for creative unfolding



He is the hardest of the hard ones.



In summer many people collect blue berries for money.





Ein Patschen, jedoch schleichend somit erst mal drauf gelassen und immer wieder nachgepumpt.







Also this Niva got some scars.



Romi used this short stop for some seconds sleep.



Track got more and more steep... too steep for Samurai, he need help.



All other did it with one power, but it was very taff.





With out co pilot possible, every kilogramm is important.











Jeah, also the last arrived.



One rear axle diff didnt like this heavy terrain and canceled working. Of course the newest Niva, build in 2013.



We decide to continue for some kilometer, there is a better place to wait.













We arrived at a old military base.



Jimny look like nothhing, but he is the best!



Über dam Nachbarberg braute, sich wie am Vortag, wieder ein mächtiges Gewitter zusammen. Wir bleiben heute aber davon verschont.



Look like very old, but 20 years ago it was still in use!





Here we did short stop and discussed what to do next.



My Niva wanted to play little bit more...



... and go on the roket launch pad.







Also a second diff made bad noise... but could stay inside the car.







One diff needed to be changed, it was totaly damaged.



We decide to split the group. Who want and can continued the planned tour to the summit. Romi drive to get all parts we need. me and damaged Nivas go to our sleeping place to start servicing.



We go down the same track like up.



... and met again many trucks full with people.



Here the pics of cars going to the top. They had some great viewing























Way contiuned heavy, but no more technical break downs.









Wonderful!











Way down over nice maedows.



Here Niva was much faster than Landcriser. He had to take this curve in three steps.







First souvenir, from a wild pig.







All these branch... sometimes little danger.







We already serviced the cars when other came to our camp.





Again with river beside.







Today nearly every car needed some service. Front diff gasket, front brakes...



... also front diff gasket...




Even before finishing taking out everything Romi arrived with all needed parts!









Samurai was quiet today, so Gintas could play with children while all other lay under Nivas







Chidren got dinner early, all other later after finishing most of the work.













Jeah, the bad diff is out of Niva!



Again a full truck came along... see us and stopped for drinking some liters of Vodka



... unbelievable what Ukrainian people can drink.



... after 1 hour they left again... happy for us. Otherwise we would had need a day brake for sleeping



The new diff.



... than we had dinner, all Nivas again driveable!



But of course, also after dinner more servicing... late into the night



Later, at the fireplace, we decide it was enough servicing now, rest of tour we will do without technical problems... you will read if it worked that way....finally all go happy to sleep.

[powdersnow]

TAG 4:

Again a very shiny morning after a fine night with smooth sound of flowing water. One had to get up ver early, he changed his waterpump before breakfast. Of course the green Niva



So we could start soon, directly after breakfast. But we had time for one picture of our group.



All the technical problems the last days cost a lot of time. For finishing our planed trip we had to drive about 80km on road.







Now some impressions out of driving car.







In the back you see a big mountain. On top is a sending tower, our goal for today. This picture is too small, you have to imagine the tower.















Quick fuel stop and offroad again ... so it should had been...



We left the road just for 50 meters and still in the village. While crossing a river i saw a lot of oil in the water. You usually see a lot of plastic and stuff in the rivers, sometimes also some oil. But not so much. I stoped and immedelty saw where the oil came from. Rear wheel bearing must be broken down. With this problem i didnt want to drive any more, so another must stop for the group

Romi started to get the needed parts, and we started pulling out the semiaxes. We had one semiaxe with us, but for my Niva useless. For the disc break the semiaxes had been modified. Also very bad, my rear bearings are fixed by welding, so we needed a side cutter and welding machine.





Very great reaction of group for this stop again. Thy just started the grill and had lunch.



Sausages, bread and vegetables...



... and than all energy to the stomach



Rdeplacing semiaxes can be very easy and smooth. Not if the bearing is broken in many pieces inside the axe. We bring four hammer with us, not one was big enough. So Misha went for getting a real big one from neigbour houses. A long piece of wood thru under the car and after 10 minutes hammering we drank a beer



Here you see the rest of bearing. Happily second side was easy going.



... we hear a side cutter two houses beside, so we go there to ask.



Both worker stoped their work for helping us without discussion. A very fine experience, you will never see this happen in Austria.
Sidecutter was in very bad condition, but after three times of reparing it we finsihed our work. Romi took the parts and go for welding machine and for fixing the bearing.



group already waited long time, so Romi continued uphill, Gregor and me finished the work at the river. Way up was very steep and washed out.



Maybe caused by the nap, there are nearly no pictures of uphill.





In back you see the valley, Gregor and me still worked on Niva. So some altitude again.











It got late noon and for shure we could not reach the planned sleeping place within daylight. So we stopped before the summit.





It is hard to get good spare parts for Lada. There is a lot of bad quality on marcet and you never know 100% what quality you get. I think this is main reason why Lada has that bad image. Lada always built strong good cars. They also survive the raff backyard of Rusia, what more to say.
Dont know, it was bad luck, Karma or just bad source of spare parts, in all three tours before we did not have so many technical problems.
My Niva was just finished, another one broke down. A rear brake zylinder collapsed, in steep uphill. Happily car stayed under control and nothng happend. Even before the fire was burning (and fire was burning very fast all time) the bad part was replaced.





as used to, Misha prepared a fine dinner...



... dinner with sunset



We go one with some little sericing on cars, followed by sitting around the fire. There we decide it was enough, no more breakdown is needed. ... we saw so many shooting stars, so ur wish should come true.... you will read

[powdersnow]

DAY 5 :


We camped directly on the ridge, so the sun woke us early. Good light for the morning shave.



Today we dawdled not long and soon we reached first mud places.



But most of the time it was mainly uphill.





The houses in the valley were getting smaller ...



... our first destination , the tower getting nearer.



This slope was really long and steep. Also someo some holes and shafts, not easy. Almost all passenger went to the security up by foot ...





... or were held up by Toyota at idle



Soon on the height of the tower ...



... the distant view was always impressive .







Looking back to the way



The last climb to the transmission tower. A taff one, steep and stony, all free.



A few passengers were allowed to do some sports again





The summit slope from the interior .



Looking into a sea of ​​blueberries



A 125 meter high tower from rust. It was in use by military and left alone for about 30 years .





The view from the peak was magnificent. Only the strong cold wind disturbed little bit ....



... especially for the force of the tower. It would not be Ukraine if there were any signs prohibiting climbing or even fence around. Here people are still alowed to think and act by their own. ... of course promtly half of the group was climbing up



As can be seen here on the free rusted truss, the condition is pathetic. Also, the ladder was partly free of fixing and wiggled free from the storm of good 70km/ h quite scary. For me it was stop at third level.











After a short rest, and picking all the blueberries around ...



.... we went down again. But only short, then we followed around 15 kilometers long the main ridge.



It was therefore from now on from summit to summit, sometimes fast on flat meadows again rummaging through steep scree slopes .



Aja, of course, alternating with beautiful mudholes.



This was particularly photogenic.









The Toyota got stuck and was pulled out by Niva. Of course also Niva had to try it. It was followed by the revounce, Toyota pulled out Niva







Next stop was the district of Shepherd. The live up there eight months left to fend for themselves. With plenty of dogs (the last two days old ), chicken , geese , goats and sheep.











The fresh chees is dripping of.



Here the four men live for eight months together.



Such a large dog get rarely older than 12 years. This is 17 years and still very vital. Very crucial for the high age is certainly a healthy life. Always in the good mountain air, always fresh food and plenty of exercise. To eat, he got his all life long only fresh meat when slaughtered, mst time fresh sheep's milk cheese and eggs .



The shepherds were visibly pleased with our visit. We brought winter clothes and vodka. We also bought two kilos of cheese from their cheese, albeit at a ridiculously low price. We were kicking the change, he did not accept. You have to imagine the four men guarding the sheep only, not a single one belogs to them. Only the quarrels, geese and dogs. They are paid minimally and also the need for fresh products contribute to the valley every day by foot. As a reward they get a certain ration of cheese for their own consumption.



Samples were weighed and expertly served.



We went on, the ridge from summit to summit.











Especially the kids have probably eaten at least the day every one kilo of blueberries





Another flock of sheep crossing our paths.



















To see the professionals ...



... but practice makes perfect





One of many descents.







Fresh mud on the cars always attracted butterflies on







Blueberry tongues



A further very very steep climb. Here again the only additional loose rock as a base .











Actually surprising that all tyres stayed fine with all these sharp stones.









Another blue bery transport. And even with scale. So we bought tens of kilos of blueberries. Of all the vitamins I pull until today



Another butterfly at the mudy bumper.







For the young people in the summer a nice additional income .... The three wanted to be on a photo





The final climb for today. Again a very hard day for the vehicles, but entirely without failures. The first time this week







Optimization the main gravity





One of the few photos can convey the steepness halfway .



The last meters for today, at the end of the meadow we erected our tents.



This dog was waiting for us .... from wherever he knew seemingly there comes a spendable group.



Again, a really nice campground. Today there was no incident, but we are driven as if we would overtake five hours. So we could enjoy the sun and even eat in the light.









When all had eaten already came again star and we used to see the windless evening to see previously filmed scenes. Cinema under the Stars



It was strange but quite nice to spend an evening without open hoods and oily hands.