The relatively unknown trek to Backening Volcano, runs through breathtaking scenery. This special place is located at the confluence of the Sredinny and Valaginsky Ranges, where three large rivers, the Bystraya, Kamchatka, and Avacha begin. 
Backening is famous for two powerful lava flows formed during its eruption, one of which dammed up the Pravaya (Right) Kamchatka River and formed Dalneye (Demidovo) Lake, while another lava flow streamed towards Medvezhye (Bezymyannoye) Lake and crystallized in an abrupt rock slope.

Dalneye Lake
Several days’ camping at Dalneye Lake provide an opportunity for detailed exploration of the surrounding area together with radial (return) day trips to Suslikovo Lake or to Rosomashye, Yegorova, and Vysokoye Lakes in the east.

Medvezhye (Bears’) Lake
Descend from the Pass to Medvezhye Lake along a wide tundra hollow between Backening and
Novo-Backening to the valley’s end. The lake is reachable by the right or left side of the hollow,
along a gorge.

Upper-Avachinskoye Lake
There are several convenient clearings for camping and fires places located at the lake’s shore with the
flowing river near the commemorative cross.

Sergey Krasnoshchyokov
Photos by the author