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In the twenty-first century, thanks to computer technology and the internet, anyone can easily find virtually any information they need. Despite its real-world inaccessibility and remoteness, in the virtual world, the Putorana Plateau is comparable to any other point on the planet—just a few keyboard presses and mouse clicks away. Thanks to the World Wide Web, you can find hundreds and thousands of pages describing the "land of ten thousand lakes and a thousand waterfalls." You can learn the geographic location of Russia, the age and formation of table mountains, the name and location of Russia's tallest waterfall... Authors of articles about Putorana often talk at length about the beauty of the local, untouched nature, the pristine rivers and lakes teeming with rare and valuable fish species. But most unfairly omit, or only briefly mention, another amazing gift of Putorana nature—a gift that literally lies at the feet of the traveler who finds themselves in this harsh yet beautiful land.
Berries on the Putorana Plateau.
Despite the harsh climate, the berries on the Putorana Plateau impress not only with their yields but also with their diversity. According to official data, more than twenty berry plants grow in this region. The most famous and beloved are blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, cranberries, cloudberries, and currants. While rafting on Siberian rivers, the surrounding landscapes can change like pictures in a kaleidoscope. Forests give way to cliffs, then cliffs give way to pebbles, shrubs, and swamps... The banks change, and so do the berries growing on them.
Where the berries grow.
In the forests of the Putorana Plateau, the most abundant berry is undoubtedly the blueberry. Its berries reach enormous sizes and in many places cover the forest floor in a continuous, even layer. Lingonberries, which grow in the same conditions, compete with blueberries, often blending into a single, red-and-blue carpet. Cloudberries and cranberries dominate the marshes and swampy areas. Currant bushes are ubiquitous. And raspberries seem to be eager to meet humans, beckoning travelers with their sweet and fragrant berries from riverbanks and rock scree.
Mushrooms on the Putorana Plateau.
What units are mushrooms measured in? Pieces? Buckets? Kilograms? In the right season, the mushrooms of the Putorana Plateau are countless. A favorable climate with frequent rainfall and a virtually complete absence of mushroom pickers who could damage the mycelium make the plateau an ideal place for mushroom growth. Aspen mushrooms, birch boletes, porcini mushrooms, saffron milk caps, moss caps, and milk mushrooms—they're everywhere! Mushrooms begin to appear in mid-summer and grow abundantly until the first frost, not only in the forest but also in the foothill tundra. Many myceliums have never been touched by a mushroom picker's knife, and nature responds with generous gratitude.
Mushrooms and berries during rafting.
Of course, rafting on the Putorana Plateau's rivers isn't primarily about picking mushrooms and berries. But it would be a grave mistake not to spend a few minutes strolling around during a stop, admiring the vibrant berry patches and inhaling the forest's mushroomy aroma. A handful of ripe, fresh berries will fill your body with natural vitamins and help relieve fatigue. And the rangers accompanying the travelers will complement the trip's menu not only with dishes made from fish caught during the rafting but also with delicious snacks made from freshly picked mushrooms.
Words, photographs, videos—nothing can fully convey the splendor and natural richness of the Putorana Plateau. Only the memory of someone who has visited it can preserve the beauty of everything seen for years to come, capturing the sounds and smells of the surrounding world, so that, periodically, rewinding time, it makes one's eyes sparkle brighter and inspires a desire to return.
