Crossing The Caucasus | hiking across Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan (short film)

In 2018, Richard Hartfield set off alone into Russia's North Caucasus Mountains. His plan was to follow a 1200km backpacking route that he'd made on his phone. It led through tightly-controlled border areas in Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. But this self-shot, solo hiking adventure soon evolved into something else: A celebration of human kindness, set within regions more often perceived as divided and volatile.
Crossing The Caucasus premiered as part of the Kendal Mountain Film Festival in 2021.
Filmed and edited by Richard Hartfield: www.richardhartfield.com/
Instagram: / richhartfield
Music by Edamame: www.edamamebeats.com/

[@markinney]

As an Azerbaijani, I enjoyed your Great Caucasus journey. You’re always welcome here, especially in Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 ❤

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you! 😊

[@theteconotiam6155]

As a Muslim, I know there are many Muslims in Caucasus, and I knew a little about the natural beauty of Caucasus. But after watching your journey, I get more info... Thank you a lot... This video should have millions of views...

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much!

[@rehansargis]

​@@thetej2227better you look into islam...

[@shivamchaudhary1338]

❤

[@Droidzi]

Great presentation - most enjoyable. I've grown increasingly curious about this part of the world since exploring my DNA (25% South Caucasus)

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much! I hope you can visit the region one day, you’ll love it!

[@vectorland9501]

As an Ingushetian, I must say that this video is really impressive. There are very few trips to the Caucasus like this one on KZbin. There are also very beautiful historical ruins in Ingushetia. There are 8th and 13th century towers in Dzeyrakh, Egikal, Galashki and Sunzha .How beautiful, isn't it!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for your lovely comment, that’s great to hear. A soldier I met working on one of the mountain checkpoints was from Ingushetia, he was telling me the same thing about the ruins and how stunning it is there. I was gutted to miss out on it!

[@TheWorldNeedsNata]

This is an impressive journey you did. Congratulations. As a Georgian citizen and a woman, I find it challenging to replicate similar trip. Still, I hope one day the region will have enough peace and prosperity for its residents to enjoy living there at its fullest and at peace with each other.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you very much Natalia. I think many, many people share these same sentiments. I really hope that the situation improves over the coming years.

[@amoreazione3563]

This documentary deserves so many more views!!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers! Feel free to share it around :)

[@JourneywithBrandon]

This took an extraordinary amount of courage to complete! You've done something incredible to be proud of. Amazing work, thank you for taking me with you in your video.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for the kind words Brandon!

[@annemiker4623]

hi Richard! you've done a great job! just a wonderful video. I'm from Russia and I feel very sorry for the situation that has happened to you there. you know 99% of Russians are still afraid of traveling there but you've done it! thank you very much

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much Anne, I’m so glad you enjoyed the film! Which part of Russia are you from? I hope you can visit the North Caucasus one day (if you haven’t already of course). I’d love to go back but I’m not sure if it will be possible for a very long time :(

[@annemiker4623]

@@RichardHartfield I'm from the border of the Urals and Siberia, close to the border with Kazakhstan (Chelyabinsk), but currently live in Moscow. I hope you'll be able to come back as soon as possible, let's believe in wonders. I'd personally recommend you to have a look at Altai, Karelia, and the Golden Ring (even if you can do it just on the internet)

[@mockingjasonn8660]

what a fucking trip dude. thanks for sharing it with us! i cant even explain how much respect i have for your bravery. i wouldn’t even dare to dream of such a thing. this is fucking inspiring. beautiful shots taken as well. and i just want to point out that even when things didn’t work out or you got a major stepback, you still kept going. and that all alone? like what the fuck dude. and what you got in return were some beautiful kindhearted people. thanks again for sharing this crazy adventure with us and i’ll keep an eye out for your video’s! have a good one homie x

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much for the kind words :)

[@kraxmalism]

great film! one of the greatest I have seen on youtube. as an Azerbaijani, who studied and worked in Europe for 15 years, I can assure you that bureaucracy in Europe is as disgusting as you have experienced throughout your journey, but the european one takes another form. if you want to do something unconventional (but still perfectly legal) you get to fight the bureaucracy and the apparatus if you are not lucky enough to be born as an EU citizen. My point here is that, regardless which country or state you are in, the main enemy of people who are free in their spirits, and want to explore something interesting - is bureaucracy that create illogical, stupid, useless hurdles that you need to jump over or pass by.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for the kind words, and for sharing your experiences. I’m also no stranger to the bureaucracy of trying to live and work in Europe as a ‘third nation’ citizen. It can be a massive barrier, and really overwhelming. I guess what can be said about the mountains in Europe though, is that they are generally much more accessible, and the borders are open to cross! The Caucasus is a very different situation. It’s exciting to see the development of mountain tourism there though. Especially with projects like the Transcaucasian Trail.

[@maxlerus]

This video is incredible! Im in love with this region and plan on going there in the future as soon as Ive got the time and money. Its just sad when I watch the news and the only things you hear about the region are ongoing conflicts for centuries. But this video beautifully shows that the people there are extremely kind and it looks like it makes them very happy that someones coming to their country. The way they proudly present you their dances, music, food, culture etc. makes me smile a lot. Thanks for the great video, keep it up!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much, and best of luck with your own trip!

[@yekaterinaminskova381]

Wow what a trip! You are one brave guy. I'm from North Caucasus (Russia) and growing up with such nature been a blessing. Thank you for sharing your journey and showing such incredible views !

[@RichardHartfield]

That’s awesome, which part are you from? Thanks so much for watching!

[@clazza8468]

We loved watching this and are very proud of you. You need to do more!x

[@starky497]

Multidimensionally inspiring mate. I think this is the new pioneering frontier, navigating an intense political landscape along with the physical one. So illuminating. Really great brave work, thankyou for sharing.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much!

[@DavidonEarth]

Amazing!!

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

As if the hiking itself isn't challenging enough, you had to deal with so much bureaucracy, uncertainty over routes and permission, constantly changing plans and the mental toll this takes, plus you were filming it all. A great effort, and well edited to tell the story of your journey. I can't imagine how tricky that must have been to cut it all down to 23 minutes! You've mentioned you might edit an extended version for KZbin, would love to see that too! We've hiked and filmed a lot of trails from Svaneti to Lagodekhi over the last couple of years, a few border permits to get here and there, but thankfully no tense encounters with the authorities or underlying fear following us. Well done! Kim

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for that Kim! It was definitely exhausting at times trying to capture everything whilst dealing with all the challenges, but I’m really glad I tried my best, and came away with a fair bit of useable footage. Watch this space then I guess for a longer version sometime down the line! Enjoy your future hikes :)

[@WyeExplorer]

Superb and so inspiring Richard. So much appeared wrong with this trip but in fact you were lead to some of the best connections. An incredible place. Thanks for sharing your courage and journey with us. All the best for 2022. Mark

[@ellisturner1844]

absolutely amazing!!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers man!! 💚

[@JamieBarnes]

That was an incredible watch. Thank you so much for sharing your journey Richard!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much Jamie :)

[@shehanchanuka15]

Man those people in the mountains does not have to give a shit about what us urban dumbasses have to. That's life man that is what life is. So calm. My depression disappeared just by watching them. Wooow what a life they have. Thanks bro.

[@aimeedavis4385]

Brilliant, thank you for sharing

[@RichardHartfield]

thanks for watching!

[@BossaBoZo]

This is awesome, thank you for making this!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching :)

[@DaveVaughan2004]

Awesome mate. Nothing but respect and admiration! I've been looking forward to this since you mentioned you had filmed and were putting it together a couple of years back. It's an amazing advert for the regions in general as well as the generosity and hospitality of the people, oh and the Notch :P

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much mate! I really hope it comes across how awesome the people there are. and yes the Notch is king! :D

[@SmartSam1]

Wow! Magnificent Beauty captured! Paradise indeed! 👌👍🎉

[@intothecaucasus]

What a journey, truly amazing!!!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching! :)

[@dianawanderlust]

Richard, such an amazing video! Thanks for sharing

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching!

[@paulbeaton3134]

That was such a pleasure to watch - absolutely amazing - I was transfixed the entire time. Amazing job on the edit.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much Paul! It was a really long learning process for me with many many re-edits! Glad the work paid off :)

[@LourieJacobs79]

Incredible journey, Thank you for sharing it.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattdeburghdaly]

An inspiring adventure and beautifully documented, amazing work my friend!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers man! :)

[@amarfateen]

I loved every second of those travel vlog! Thanks for such a beautiful video

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching! :)

[@alyarednesher8663]

Amazing! I'm astounded. Thank you for sharing.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for watching :)

[@edwardthompson1160]

A gem of a watch - Awesome.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks Edward! :)

[@slaphaddalztick]

Respect! One of the most impressive things I've ever watched. Wonderful journey!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you very much!

[@functionalclothinglab]

Beautiful all the way through, from outside to inside.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@doctralee9424]

Amazing track, congrats !

[@RichardHartfield]

cheers!

[@nilebarrow8296]

So incredibly inspiring and heartwarming. What an incredible experience that must have been. Thank you so much for documenting it and sharing it with the world :)

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much Nile, it was a truly heartwarming experience, and it feels great to be able to pass some of that magic on from the people who helped me! :)

[@Tristandewet]

Epic adventure man! Exploring these mountains is something that's been high on my list for a while and you've done an amazing job at showing them off!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers Tristan!

[@olivetree-unterwegs]

This is such an insane trip Richard and its so well documented! I am really overwhelmed, also I know how much passion you put into that bit of film. So so nice to see it online!

[@RichardHartfield]

Ah thanks so much man! See you soon hopefully

[@DM_RUNNING]

Insane, looks like an absolutely amazing trip, well done.

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers!

[@Imthesaviour]

Challenging for regular Brit across this region, seeing your bread grow and you made it. Entertaining content

[@RichardHartfield]

Yeah beard and monobrow got pretty out of hand!

[@TomAndJoeVlogsTJOutdoors]

Woah, what an inspiring video and trip! You are very very brave, this video certainly deserves a sub! It’s nice to see you met some friendly people along your way as well, it sounded a very very surreal trip. Much respect, you smashed it! All the best - Cheers Joe

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much! The people were incredibly friendly, I would’ve been too scared to carry on if they hadn’t helped me!

[@wptonic]

What an amazing journey and video.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much!

[@AngusSuter]

Wow! What a beautiful place with many kind people. An inspiring adventure mate!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks Angus for the kind words! :)

[@danos5181]

Amazing! So happy to have followed your trip and see so ever briefly some of the wonders that you saw and the kindness you were bestowed upon and to witness your optimism and great courage to wander through completely foreign lands! Thank you and keep it up!

[@RichardHartfield]

Ah thanks very much, that’s really lovely!

[@xeenslayer]

What an inspiring trip man! Absolutely amazing experience you must've had there. Just wow!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much, it was something I’ll never forget. It took so long to plan, and also to edit the film, but it’s great to look back on and remember!

[@Barbararoozen]

Thank you for sharing this amazing experience ❤

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for taking the time to watch it! :)

[@robaardvark6841]

Great film, mate! Lovely photography, and it’s fantastic that you met so many generous and welcoming people in such remote places.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much Rob! So many lovely people in the Caucasus

[@Mickodwyer100]

Amazing! Incredible determination 🤘🏻A true adventure

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers! It really felt like it!

[@CryptoCoyote-py3dd]

This video was awesome man!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching!

[@rocknroller642]

Damn I cant stress out how good of a video this is, and super inspiring as well. Id definitely want to try the Caucasus mountains at some point. Thank you for this glimpse of your adventure

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you, that’s really kind of you. It was a lot of hard work to make, with lots of failing along the way! I definitely recommend you go there at some point, it’s an incredible part of the world!

[@TeutobergForestryService]

Bravo; sir. All men are animated in all forms but few truly get to live. You’re really living, brother.

[@lorainedenison]

Amazing film Richard. You are very brave and adventurous, I bet you feel like you can now achieve anything x

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks Loraine, I’m really glad you enjoyed it! I don’t always feel very brave or adventurous, but the memories from this trip are a helpful reminder that sometimes I can be!

[@CaptainCamp]

Amazing trip well documented. Real adventurer!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers! :)

[@RE-nb5nt]

Wow, what an incredible journey. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks, I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching :)

[@babakpezeshki2065]

That was absolutely stunning, what a great journey. Much of life is unpredictable like that, but you made the best of it. Thx for sharing. I was really moved

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching! The best things happen when you just put yourself out there and see what fortune brings!

[@drcldiao2]

amazing journey. What a beautiful place.

[@RichardHartfield]

It really is! Cheers for watching :)

[@mercedesaug]

Thanks for taking us along. Transcendent scenery. Love the people you met. Uncomplicated, generous, seem genuinely happy despite oppressive situation. Thanks again.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching!

[@ataneRxR]

Omg Richard !!! Congrats on such an epic journey Your editing and narration is just perfect I felt like I’m watching professional production, stunning views, you dealt with everything and managed to stay calm and…yourself Hat off 👍 been worth of waiting for your movie

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much, that’s really heartwarming. It was such a lot of work, but a really rewarding process, learning how to edit and structure a story from so much random footage! I’m glad it’s nice to watch :) thanks for waiting!

[@liamconnolly8565]

Incredible journey, brave to say the least! Inspiring.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for the kind words Liam

[@soerenjordan]

Awesome, thx for sharing, what a trip, I'd love to go hiking in Georgia one day.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching! I can’t recommend Georgia enough. There’s the Transcaucasian trail, and also a great resource for trails called ‘trekking in the Caucasus’ on Facebook. They have loads of great info to get planning!

[@rigbyUnbound]

wow what a fantastic adventure.. truly inspiring how you dealt with the fear of the officials to accomplish your goal & to meet the amazing people and walk amongst those incredible vistas. congratulations on a wonderful film!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@charliewilson9125]

Such an well done and beautifully put together video!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charliewilson9125]

@@RichardHartfield How do you colour grade? Cant believe its shot on a phone

[@FragmentsDance]

Stunning mate!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks so much mate! :)

[@madisoncole4835]

This is awesome. love it

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers!

[@khushiagrawal8461]

thank you for filming this surreal journey, I've always loved hiking and watching this truly reminded me of when I was hiking across the Himalayas in Uttarakhand :)

[@RichardHartfield]

thanks for watching!

[@quietfire286]

That was F****ing brilliant, I really enjoyed that, a truly inspiring and well produced video. Finding things like this is what KZbin is all about. Your love for the Mountains, the people and true spirit of adventure really came across. Hats off xxx

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much! So glad you enjoyed it

[@raulrio1087]

Stunning Nature and Wonderful People. Thank you 😎

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching Raul! :)

[@ctr360x10]

wowwwwwwwwww. absolutely love this, your story and the landscapes are equally amazing

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching, it’s a really special part of the world!

[@laurencegerrard8044]

Awesome!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching Laurence!

[@iwanjones7334]

I loved this!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@leebrowning7789]

Well done mate, very brave and determined, good for you, great video, loved it, keep it up, amazing 👏

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers! :)

[@lauralynn_]

Cooool film! Amazing mountains… Greetings from Tilburg

[@johnsnediker9175]

Just stumbled across this. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your adventure!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@fireinthehole2272]

This is massively underrated! Amazing video and amazing interactions :)

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much! Feel free to share it around 😊

[@andrewakermann7911]

This is my dream trek, amazing job!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers!

[@nickgethins4576]

What a wonderful inspiration you are.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you so much!

[@juzharvey1418]

Nice work mate, all the best👍

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching!

[@LoLo-hs7bp]

This should have a million views

[@paulickwerner4249]

WOW! thnak you for VIDEO!

[@Hallvard0]

Beautiful! This video deserves more attention :)

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you! 😊 Please feel free to share it with friends!

[@edityourlife]

Enjoyed every second of your journey. Thank you for taking the time to make your film and share with us all. Truly unique landscapes! So much green in those ranges. The Eastern end did look like a true gem, insane geologic features. Best wishes!

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks Jeremy! Yeah the landscapes shifted so much as I headed east. Every part had its own beauty!

[@edityourlife]

@@RichardHartfield The Tool hat was a nice addition. Rock on.

[@RichardHartfield]

@@edityourlife yeah man! Best hat ever, but it’s falling apart now unfortunately. It’s seen too many miles!

[@md.ziauddin8572]

You made me literally cried man !! wow

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindonkellett-payne942]

Always love your videos

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching them!

[@vincesjm]

This was so beautiful. In multiple ways. It brought tears to my eyes in places. Thank you, Richard, for sharing your journey, and this story.

[@RichardHartfield]

Ah thanks so much Vincent, that really means a lot to know that the emotions resonated with you. It was a really special journey, with so many inspiring people and places :)

[@vincesjm]

@@RichardHartfield Not a problem. Actually, I was hiking in northern Georgia back in June, so (though no where's near adventurous as yours) my experience resonated with some of the beauty you experienced.

[@RichardHartfield]

@@vincesjm ah that’s lovely, I’m glad it could bring back some memories for you.those places and experiences always stay with us! The Caucasus is a place I know I’ll always come back to, for so many reasons. The mountains there are truly special.

[@dzikrullahworld]

Beautiful of mountain caucasus good job bro 👍

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you 👍

[@ulysses988]

Wow what kind and cool people live there

[@robbentutube]

Wow Richard that is amazing, what a journey, you should get that on TV!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers!

[@spiffcats]

This was amazing to watch, thanks for taking us a long with you. I understand the desire to be in the mountains, here in Canada I have done a few trips. Nothing is quiet like the exhilaration of climbing endless cliffs and ridges where almost no one has been before or camping right on a saddle 3300m up beside an ancient glacier several square km in size.

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching, it sounds like I need to go backpacking in Canada next! Which regions would you recommend? :)

[@spiffcats]

@@RichardHartfield Depends how long you want to be out and how steep a terrain you want to be in. The west Kootenay in BC is great for 2 or 3 day trips, but up near golden is pretty epic for longer trips. The best 2 day trip I have done so far is in the west Kootenay, MT Marion

[@traillife3763]

Thank you you for that very nice film. This was a real adventure.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks for watching it!

[@traillife3763]

@@RichardHartfield The landscape there often reminded me of the Pyrenees. I can understand your experience very well. I am also often on the road in the mountains and depend on the help of others. There are always encounters that stay in your memory, no matter how short they may have been.

[@RichardHartfield]

@@traillife3763 yeah exactly! I've had so many meetings with people that I'll never forget :)

[@ellesse59]

Awesome Richard! You've lived my dream.

[@aerophilVIDEO]

What a great adventure! I had similar experiences with authorities when I was trekking in Kyrgyzstan. But I’m 100% sure, that your challenges - through all these Caucasus Regions - where so much more severe. Really inspiring and thanks for taking us along!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching! I’d like to visit Kyrgyzstan sometime soon!

[@natalitravelsoul353]

Wow! That's really great job Richard! I love mountains and nature of Caucasus is just simply gorgeous, amazing, awesome! I've been visiting a lot of beautiful places here and I'm excited of this region. I live in here. You showed it absolutely stunning! Thanks for visiting and sharing with people all over the world. I invite you here once again and would recommend you some very special places to visit. Good luck🍀 and be happy!!!!!!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers Natali! It would be amazing to come back one day and see more

[@user-rh2qe1md8b]

​@@RichardHartfieldHi, Richard! I myself come from the North Caucasus, I want to ask you, are you Scottish?

[@CaucasusVoyageClub]

Great!👍🏼👍🏼

[@andreypashinsky2335]

Great story, man.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thank you 😊

[@amadeussee]

What a video!

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers for watching!

[@user-vj7wr8qj6z]

Best place on earth

[@Nightshadow3_7]

This was certainly a high quality content.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild]

Great film with some stunning views and fantastic adventure. So real and honest. Well done Richard. Yeah.. poorer people are usually better characters and happier they are.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much. The world is full of kind people, especially in the mountains!

[@patilo33]

Incredible Richard. A true, modern day pioneer. i had given up hope that, with all that is going on in this world, your generation could hang onto that adventurous spirit. But you show that it's still there. Wishing you a fantastic future where you can inspire others.

[@RichardHartfield]

Thanks very much for the kind words! I think being adventurous is part of what makes us human, so it can't die out :)

[@domo3552]

Hi Richard. I've loved watching ALL your videos. They really genuinely inspire me to undertake my own long distance hikes. We haven't seen you recently, so I only hope that you've been doing some great inspiring journeys to share with us here and/or in TGO etc. Maybe you just deserve a well-earned rest! All the best Rich.

[@RichardHartfield]

Cheers dom that’s really lovely to hear! My video editing skills are a lot slower than my hiking unfortunately! but I crossed the whole alps last year and did another 10 day hike this summer, so lots of footage to get into over winter! I’m always putting stuff on Instagram as well. Good luck on your future hikes! :)

[@domo3552]

@@RichardHartfield Nice! I don't do IG or any other social media for that matter. So I'm really looking forward to any KZbin stuff, and best wishes with your excellent articles too!

[@RichardHartfield]

@@domo3552 cheers!!