Kurils/Iturup: Volcanic Landscapes & Island Center
Iturup is 200km long and 27km wife (only 120 by 17 in miles), and yet it boasts 12 volcanoes along its central ridge. Some are perfectly conical and some have already blown their tops. As you explore the inner island – pretty much anywhere you point your camera you end up with towering volcanoes. The landscape is stark and desolate, and quite different from the southern neighbor Kunashir – non much forest here but rather low rise bush and a lot of wide open windswept spaces. A red fox came out to greet three times. Oh, and it’s the lingonberry season!