Two women vanish near legendary Lake Love in Russian mountains

A hiking trip to a remote alpine lake turned into a search-and-rescue operation when two women from Astrakhan disappeared in the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia. Darya P., 24, and Viktoria G., 23, were heading to Lake Love, a high-altitude lake at 2,400 meters, where legend says a swim and a coin toss can help you find your soulmate.

The pair registered their route and set out on April 24 from the town of Teberda. Viktoria led the hike, while Darya kept a travel diary on social media, telling followers they planned to be in the Caucasus until May 3. She designated May 4 as a backup day and asked that if they didn’t check in by then, someone should call the emergency ministry.

Around 2:30 p.m. on May 4, the women made their last contact with rescuers. They reported that the weather was turning dangerous and asked for help. Then they went silent.

News that two Russian tourists were lost in the mountains broke on May 5. Their route had included Lake Love, a place wrapped in romantic folklore. It’s believed that bathing in the lake and tossing in a coin will bring you your one true love.

Rescuers are now combing the area, hoping the women simply lost their way in the final hours of their trek. So far, no trace of them has been found.