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Travel

Agafia's Taiga Life

In part three we meet Agafia's neighbor, Yerofei, who has lived by the river near her cabins for the past 16 years.

In 1936, a family of Russian Old Believers journeyed deep into Siberia's vast taiga to escape persecution and protect their way of life. The Lykovs eventually settled in the Sayan Mountains, 160 miles from any other sign of civilization. In 1944, Agafia Lykov was born into this wilderness. Today, she is the last surviving Lykov, remaining steadfast in her seclusion. In this episode of Far Out, the VICE crew travels to the taiga to learn about Agafia's lifestyle and the encroaching influence of the outside world.

In part three we meet Agafia's neighbor, Yerofei, who has lived by the river near her cabins for the past 16 years. He was part of the second wave of geologists who spent time with the Lykovs in the late 1970s, and eventually made the taiga his home after losing his right leg. Agafia has continued to care for him since he moved.