Coast and the north

View to the west During our ascent on Asyrmirtar, a mountain in the farest northeast corner of Onekotan, we enjoyed favourable weather. Some books claim Asyrmirtar to be an active volcano, which is not true at all. It is incredibly hard to keep this strange name in mind.	Makanrushi Island Makanrushi seems to swim in an ocean of clouds. A day without fog is a rather rare gift on Onekotan, either the ocean or part of the island is covered with fog, if not both. A cold current from the North Pacific along the coast of Kamchatka leads to different temperatures in the Pacific and the Okhotsk Sea, creating one of the most terrible climats on earth.

West coast The biggest part of the coast line is covered with stones of different size, whereas sand is usually predominating in a bay. Sometimes seals and whales can be seen and many foxes are looking for food along the beach.	East coast A day at the Pacific coast was again spoiled by fog. A former Soviet anti-aircraft missile base had left a track across the island, on which we were able to walk. Most of Onekotan is covered by dense bushes.

Pamyatnaya Bay A short but beautiful sundown marked the end of an overcast day. The old hut in the foreground must have been build by fishermen or Soviet military. Japanese troops have also left their traces on the northern end while trying to protect the island against a Soviet occupation during WWII.	Basaltic columns The entire island is of volcanic origin and a result of the subduction of the Pacific plate. The beach around the island is covered with civil waste such as fish nets, tows, all kind of plastic bottles sometimes still half-full with orange juice, Styropor, just to name a few. Everything durable that may swim in water over a long time. Interesting and disgusting at the same time.