Akkem, Glacial lake at Mount Belukha, Russia
Akkem is a glacial lake at the base of Mount Belukha, with a surface extending roughly 1.3 kilometers in length. The water reaches depths of about 15 meters and is surrounded by steep mountain walls.
A weather station was established on the northwest coast in 1932 to collect climate data. This research station has supported scientific work in the high mountain region for many decades.
A chapel built near the lake in 2006 honors climbers and rescue teams from the region. This structure reflects the connection between people and mountains in this remote area.
Water temperature stays around 4 degrees Celsius even in summer, so warm gear is essential for any water activities. Reaching the lake from the village of Tungur takes one to three days of trekking through mountain terrain.
The water changes color from gray-white to dark blue depending on how much sediment flows from the Akkem glacier. This color shift happens because fine rock particles from the melting glaciers constantly alter the lake's appearance.
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