So, back in 2019 I did a thing lol. A 120km hike illegally through the Chernobyl exclusion zone to explore the ghost city of Pripyat. Hiding by day to avoid the security forces and then hiking and exploring by night.

We began about 12km from the southernmost point of the exclusion zone border and headed north. Once across the border, the first obstacle was crossing the freezing cold river Uzh. Then just 60km to Pripyat

Guided by my 2 Ukrainian friends, it took approximately 18 hours to reach Pripyat where we claimed an apartment that we would use for the next two days to secretly live in the ghost city. We then explored Pripyat at night where we met two fellow explorers who had also made the hike.

Homemade Ukrainian vodka at 2am in the centre of Pripyat will be one of my most treasured memories.

Looks like the risk was worth the reward. Well done.

This is so sick, looks like the ideal way to do Pripyat

What's the building in the 9th photo? Looks so different than everything else

What an epic adventure. Eternally jealous. Awesome set from it!

Posted by randomesquephoto What's the building in the 9th photo? Looks so different than everything else

That is the church of Zamoshnya located around 30km south of Pripyat in the wider exclusion zone. It was the first building we found when doing the hike. More info on this place here..

https://www.cherno...zamoshnya-village/

Posted by actiongamemaster Looks like the risk was worth the reward. Well done.

100%. Best experience of my life. I'd do it again but they changed the laws this year and now you can get 5 years in prison or a $2800 fine if caught.

Posted by developstopfix This is so sick, looks like the ideal way to do Pripyat

Honestly it's the only way to truly be free in the zone. Legal tours don't give you much freedom and they wont let you inside buildings.

Posted by Giri Giri What an epic adventure. Eternally jealous. Awesome set from it!

Thank you

This is amazing! Great timing too.. I am a bit jealous

I was contemplating a trip there relatively recently ago, planned it out, researched, got the gear, and then... covid really locked the world up.

Still faintly hoping to go (it's a long journey/commitment to get there from canada), but how did this happen?

I'd do it again but they changed the laws this year and now you can get 5 years in prison or a $2800 fine if caught.

Is there a source for these law changes to check out?

Posted by strangePlaces This is amazing! Great timing too.. I am a bit jealous I was contemplating a trip there relatively recently ago, planned it out, researched, got the gear, and then... covid really locked the world up. Still faintly hoping to go (it's a long journey/commitment to get there from canada), but how did this happen? Is there a source for these law changes to check out?

This article is in english and explains the new changes pretty well: https://contaminat...-face-prison-time/

Basically just find the Ukrainian stalkers on FaceBook and get talking to them. You'll quickly find people that will take you for a fee.

Posted by SubEx Honestly it's the only way to truly be free in the zone. Legal tours don't give you much freedom and they wont let you inside buildings.

Depends entirely on what company/individual guides you go with. Most will look the other way if you go inside buildings, especially if they are given a 'special handshake' beforehand.

This article is in english and explains the new changes pretty well: https://contaminat...-face-prison-time/ Basically just find the Ukrainian stalkers on FaceBook and get talking to them. You'll quickly find people that will take you for a fee.

Definitely bad news... Will try to find the original reading of the law, to see if they really would fine a foreigner.

I did talk to people back then on forum.chornobyl.com.ua/, they were a grumpy bunch=)

Interesting, it was my understanding that you could pay to have legal tours here (or at least they would pay off the guards for you).

Looks like a good time.

Great shots man. This is on the bucketlist. How did you meet your friends abroad? I feel the most challenging part of this journey is finding a solid local explorer to come with.

Wow this looks like it was an unforgettable experience! Amazing shots, visiting Chernobyl is definitely on my bucket list!

So awesome. What you’ve done is what I daydream about at work. Basically my holy grail. Congrats.

Posted by SubEx 100%. Best experience of my life. I'd do it again but they changed the laws this year and now you can get 5 years in prison or a $2800 fine if caught.

Do you know if people have been in jail for that?