The Kabardino-Balkarian Republic is rightfully one of the most beautiful places in the North Caucasus. It is here that the highest peak of the Caucasus Range is located - Elbrus. The Republic is a Mecca for tourists and climbers, lovers of skiing and hiking come here.
Bylym Lake
This is a man-made reservoir resulting from the activities of a mining industrial enterprise. Located in the valley of the Gijgit River, which is a tributary of the Baksan River. The mouth of the river was blocked by a dam, so a lake was formed. It is located in one of the picturesque areas, near the village of Bylym. The local lake is called Gijgit. Such reservoirs are called a twig, that is, a complex of facilities for storing radioactive and toxic waste dumps.
The wastes of the enrichment enterprise merged into the reservoir, therefore there is a huge amount of harmful chemicals: tungsten and molybdenum.
Today, the water level in the Bylym lake is falling. This is a good indicator, but a certain environmental hazard still exists, although the company no longer carries out its production activities. It is considered more dangerous that toxic dust settles in the area, and the surrounding meadows are used for grazing pets.
Despite all this, pastures are used, and tourists come to the reservoir. After all, Lake Bilym on the background of the surrounding landscape resembles Swiss open spaces. Locals do not refuse fishing in a pond. Thyme and other rare herbs grow on the shores. There are several hiking trails in the area. Recently, even large tourist groups have begun to lead to this lake.
What's around
From the shores of the lake offers a beautiful view of Mount Naujidza, whose name is translated from the Kabardian language as "mother-in-law's teeth." On the north side is the tract Hakuafa. Walking distance is the Aktoprak pass, connecting two gorges: Baksan and Chegem, known since ancient times, as a caravan road ran here. And all this is surrounded by beautiful nature and a huge number of nightmares.
Tragic event
In September 2017, tourists from the city of Zheleznovodsk came to see Lake Bilym. A car with five people, including a driver, crashed from a peak 1.5 kilometers high. The three managed to escape, but they were hospitalized with fractures of the limbs, one of the passengers injured the spine. Two passengers of the Chevrolet Niva have not been found. Indeed, the depth of Lake Gijgit is 30 meters.
Tourists climbed a cliff by car, the car began to slide towards the pond, the driver could not cope with the control.
Where is
Bylymskoye Lake is not the place to be reached by public transport or on foot. Location coordinates: 43 ° 27'58 "N 42 ° 59'24" E. If you move by car, then along the highway you should reach the village of Bylym, then through the entire settlement, the bridge and climb up to the reservoir.