Lena Cheeks

{{Infobox landform | name = Lena Cheeks | other_name = Ленские щёки | type = Canyon | image = 000a Вид с первой щеки вниз по течению.jpg | image_size = | alt = Shaman Rock, Shamanka, and a serge, left-hand side. | caption = View of the Lena Cheeks | pushpin_map = Russia#Russia Irkutsk Oblast | map_width = | map_caption = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_label = | mark = | marker_size = | location = Irkutsk Oblast, Russia | grid_ref = | coordinates = {{coord|58|42|38|N|110|53|45|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | grid_ref_Russia = | coordinates_ref = <ref name="GЕ">Google Earth</ref> | range = | part_of = Lena basin | water_bodies = Lena (river) | elevation_m = | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation_m = | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | highest_coords = | length = {{convert|3|km|mi}} | width = | area =  | depth = | drop = | formed_by = | geology =  | age = | orogeny = | volcanic_arc/belt = | volcanic_arc = | volcanic_belt = | volcanic_field = | topo = | operator = | designation = | free_label_1 = | free_data_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_data_2 = | free_label_3 = | free_data_3 = | website =  | embedded = }} The '''Lena Cheeks''' ({{langx|ru|Ленские щёки}}) is the name of a stretch of the Lena with peculiar rock formations in Kirensky District, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia.

This feature of the Lena basin is a tourist attraction regularly visited by river cruiser ''Mikhail Svetlov'' from Yakutsk.<ref>[https://portbaikal.com/en/cruises-on-siberian-rivers/cruises-on-lena-river/item/714-from-yakutsk-to-lena-cheeks-and-mirny-town From Yakutsk to Lena Cheeks and Mirny town]</ref>

==Description== The Lena Cheeks area is a roughly {{convert|3|km|mi}} canyon bound by cliffs where there are three characteristic rock formations known as "Cheeks". They are located between the mouths of the Ichera and the Chuya, {{convert|172|km|mi}} upstream from the mouth of the Vitim and {{convert|6|km|mi}} downstream from the abandoned village of Chastykh.

The rocks are called First, Second and Third cheek, the latter being the furthest downstream. The First and Third cheeks rise above the right bank, and the Second above the left bank.<ref>{{cite web|author=Лямкин В.Ф., Калихман Т.П. Богданов В.Н., Соколова Л.А.|title=Отчет по теме "Схема развития и размещения особо охраняемых природных территорий в Иркутской области"|url=http://oopt.aari.ru/ref/574|website=ООПТ России|language=ru|ref=Отчет}}</ref>

==Quotes== The Cheeks of the Lena were described by 19th century travelers: {{blockquote|The days were passed in the most dreary and monotonous manner; even the celebrated Cheeks of the Lena afforded no interest at this season. These are cliffs upon each side of the Lena, between Kirenga and Vittim, which seem to have been severed from each other by some convulsion of nature, and present a remarkable appearance. (John Dundas Cochrane)<ref>John Dundas Cochrane, ''A Pedestrian Journey Through Russia and Siberian Tartary'', Volume 2, London 1825, p. 110</ref>}}

{{blockquote|We passed some perpendicular rocks, known as the “Cheeks of the Lena,” which contracted the stream to about a quarter of a verst in width, with a current of four knots. (Sir George Simpson)<ref>Sir George Simpson, ''An Overland Journey Round the World: During the Years 1841 and 1842'', Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard. 1847, p. 155</ref>}}

==See also== *Lena Pillars *List of rock formations

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{commons category-inline|Lenskiye Shchyoki}} *[http://lena-travel.com/reka-lena-osetrovo-lenskie-shhyoki-2012/?lang=en Lena River. Osetrovo – Lena Cheeks] {{Portal bar|Russia}}

Category:Lena River Category:Rock formations of Russia Category:Tourist attractions in Irkutsk Oblast Category:Canyons and gorges of Russia