Relic Hunting In Karelia

"Virgin" Site Protected by Nature

Everywhere there were also countless small lake-filled hollows which prevented me from walking a straight line through the woods.

Small Lake-Filled Hollow

One of the Hundreds Small Lake-Filled Hollows

And it was easy to get lost because it was impossible to keep my sense of direction. Surrounded by thick forest, I could not see any definite landmarks, neither I could frequently consult the compass while maneuvering around the obstacles and constantly looking under my feet.

At some point during my ordeal, I came across a rectangular rock and thought that it could be a part of the stone foundation.

Square-Cut Rock

Having not much of the ground to metal detect, I turned my Explorer and searched wherever I could. I could not leave the area without detecting and pleasing my soul a little.

Detecting a Small Patch of Open Ground

The humming of threshold was comforting, but there were no signals at the spot. I had to make a tough decision.

I probably could spend the rest of the day getting to the monastery site, most likely no one had been there before. But then I would have to take many risks such as getting lost, getting injured and getting attacked by the wild boars. I was not prepared for that so there was no point in shouldering my way any further. I turned around.

My one-day outing could be easily turned into something like the famous TV reality show "Man Vs. Wild," but I did not want to do anything foolish at that moment. Exploration of this "virgin" site would require a full expedition with enough people to accomplish the task and stay on a safe side. In the hobby of metal detecting, one has to take both good and bad. I was satisfied with the fact that I tried.

Gorgeous Karelian Sunset