Russian geologist Varikov recounts the story of a lake once believed to be haunted. This lake is located in the remote mountains at the source of the Katun River. According to local legends, many wandering spirits and vengeful spirits have gathered here. Anyone curious enough to visit may suffer from misfortune, illness, or even death.
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Katun River |
A painter, hearing of the lake’s stunning beauty and skeptical of the supernatural tales, ventured into this mysterious location. He set up camp in a forest 400 meters from the lake. Strangely, that night he felt a sense of unease, experiencing symptoms similar to those of possession, with foam forming at the corners of his mouth. The next morning, as he approached the lake, he noticed a mystical deep red light shimmering on the cliffs and columns of vapor rising from the water’s surface. He became increasingly dizzy and short of breath, eventually needing to sit down. Nevertheless, he managed to sketch a scene of the lake, capturing its grayish-green waters surrounded by white snow-capped mountains. At the foot of the mountains, a faint light emanated, tinted with pinkish hues. Boulders rolling down from the cliffs stood out in a deep red color, resembling blood.
The painter returned home and fell ill for four years. During this time, geologist Varikov visited him and was shown the haunting lake painting. Varikov remained skeptical of these bizarre stories and requested the painter’s artwork for further study, but to this day, no explanations have been found.
