Bezymianny volcano is part of the Kliuchevskoi group that also includes Kliuchevskoi and Kamen volcanoes. Tolbachik volcano is amongst a number of other volcanoes in the immediate area. While Kamen is no longer active and is generally falling apart, both Kliuchevskoi and Bezymianny are still very active, characterised by effusive and explosive/lava dome building activity respectively. The recent spell of activity began in 1955 after 1000 years of quiet. A Mount Saint Helens (1980) style event led to a large debris avalanche and pyroclastic to the east from collapsed edifice and intruded magmatic material. This blast chute and subsequent dome growth is visible in the below figure.
Bezymianny is optimally reached by chartered helicopter out of Kozyrevsk or the somewhat further Esso. Kozyrevsk is some 27 miles from Bezymianny so hiking in/out is an option. There is also a road that runs within perhaps 10 miles of Bezymianny to the west though I don't know any more details than that. Land access may also be gained via Tolbachik volcano. For details on reaching this region of Kamchakta, see the main Kamchatka Mountains page. There are various hiking trips that go through this area but I can't attest for quality or reliability etc.
Getting around / Danger / Red Tape
While there is no red tape to my knowledge, note that Bezymianny is an active volcano and in recent years has produced extremely violent explosive eruptions on a biannual basis, sometimes with no warning. The rest of the time a lava dome is growing in the summit crater. Such a feature is prone to instability and spontaneous avalanches.
Even in general getting around can be tricky. While there are many semi flat areas around the base, up on the slopes there are many steep slopes made of loose material, deep valleys that may have icy water flowing through them, ice covered slopes that may hide hollow chambers beneath etc. Click the co-ordinates on any of the images to see what different areas of the volcano are like.
Summiting: depending on the size of the dome itself, the highest point on Bezymianny is either the dome (external picture here) or the crater rim surrounding it, and could change from year to year. While the crater rim is relatively easily accessible from many sides (just keep going up) the dome should probably be accessed from the east side and only during utterly clear weather. As for getting up the dome, it has been done on occasion, but is a fairly death defying prospect. Not recommended. See this picture.
Heading up Bezy's south flank
Camping
There are many potential camping possibilities around Bezymianny. One of the best for accessing the upper reaches however is the south side at around 55 55' 50''N, 160 35' 00''E. Here there is a large flat area with nearby drinkable water. There is also a hut here with cooking facilities though I don't recall who owns it or whether it is routinely accessible. Something to look into. Note that this region is a debris fan made from material that has avalanched down the mountain, i.e. it could happen again.
Bezymianny with camp in front
Weather and wildlife
The Yevrashka
The clearest weather at Bezmianny is during September/October. During July and August the weather is very unpredictable and varies considerably during the day from clear skies to horizontal rain to snow. Clearly this makes helicopter access rather problematic.
The Kamchatkan brown bear is present in the area, you may see a few, but certainly more tracks. These should be considered dangerous particularly in the light of an incident in July 2008 where numerous geologists were killed by bears near a mine in eastern Kamchatka after having left food out.
The Yevrashka is abundant at Bezymianny, a ground-squirrel variant. While generally harmless and inquisitive, they will probably bite you if you try to touch them. Mosquitoes and a rather aggressive blue fly are also abundant.
