Bookvica

[BACKPACKING THROUGH SUNNY AND PEACEFUL CHECHNYA] Na Assu cherez Armkhi (Turistskie marshruty Solnechnoi doliny) [i.e. To Assa through Armkhi (Tourist Routes of the Solnechnaia Dolina)]

Agibalova, V.

Grozny: Checheno-Ingushskoe knizhnoe izd-vo, 1988. Item #1444

77, [3] pp., 8 ills., 2 loosely inserted maps (one folding). 19,5x14 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Very good, slightly rubbed spine.

Late Soviet guide to popular routes through the Chechen-Ingush Republic. In particular, they were organized in the Nazranovsky District that was also called “Solnechnaia dolina” [Sunny Valley]. It was considered one of the most attractive destinations for Soviet tourists, including backpackers.
The author gained the first impressions of the Armkhi valley in 1954, after backpacking along this 31-km river. Most materials were gathered in 1980-1984, during the North Osetian and Chechen-Ingush geological expedition. The author’s companion was a female amateur photographer P. Loginova who took most pictures printed in this edition. They are placed on separate leaves and feature ancient mountain constructions that became well-known sights of the region. A folding map indicates the most popular route #102 from the Assa valley to the Terek valley (crossing and contains notes about tourist stations and a list of sights. A small map shows a mountain pass between the mentioned valleys.
According to the foreword, soon after this book was compiled, a new railway should have been built between Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi, affecting the Assa valley. However, it was blocked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In 1993, the Chechen-Ingush Republic was officially turned apart in two. Soon after that, the Chechen territory was locked in an ongoing struggle between various factions and Ingushetia was affected as well. The publishing business in Grozny stalled until the wars were over.

The only copy is located in Stanford University.

Price: $250.00