World Heritage Site Western Caucasus Post. The Caucasus Mountains are mountains of amazing beauty. Golden Altai Mountains
The year 1956 was marked by many events that left a noticeable mark on the history of the Soviet visual arts. Contents 1 Events 2 Born 3 Died... Wikipedia
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 See also: Other events in 1956 ... Wikipedia
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 Portal:Railway transport See also: Other events in 1956 History of the metro in 1956 ... Wikipedia
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 Portal: Theater See also: Other events in 1956 Events in music and Events in cinema Contents ... Wikipedia
1954 – 1955 1956 1957 – 1958 See also: Other Events in 1956 There were various scientific and technological events in 1956, some of which are presented below. Contents 1 Events ... Wikipedia
1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 See also: Other events in 1956 History of railway transport in 1956 History of public transport in 1956 This article lists the main events in the history of subways ... Wikipedia
1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 See also: Other events in 1956 Other events in the history of the metro Other events in railway transport This article lists the main events in the history of public ... Wikipedia
Contents 1 Selected cinema 1.1 World cinema 1.2 Soviet cinema ... Wikipedia
Years in the literature of the 20th century. 1956 in literature. 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 ← XIX century 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 ... Wikipedia
Years in aviation 19th century... Wikipedia
Books
- Magazine "Hunting and Game Management". Semi-annual file for 1956 (numbers 7 - 12), . The magazine "Hunting and Hunting Management" is the oldest domestic periodical about hunting, the flagship of hunting periodicals in Russia, the record holder - the longest-living one among all, ever...
- A Year in the Forest, Sokolov-Mikitov Ivan Sergeevich. The modest Russian forest will not leave anyone indifferent. Even on the coldest winter days, life here does not cease: black grouse burrow into the snow, packs of wolves wander along the snowy paths... Joyfully...
The territory of the North-West Caucasus corresponds to the territory of the Kuban and Black Sea region and is approximately 87,000 thousand km2. The territory of the North-West Caucasus lies within the following coordinates: in the north - about 47°N, in the south - 43°30'N, in the west - 36°E, in the east - 41°44 ' E.D. The length from north to south is about 400 km, and from west to east – about 360 km.
The nature of the North-Western Caucasus is distinguished by its exceptional diversity and richness. There are vast black soil plains, forested mountains with isolated snow-capped peaks and Black Sea subtropics.
The climate in the North-West Caucasus is considered to be temperate continental, but this definition is very approximate, since there are a number of climatic zones in the mountains.
The area we offer excursions is the Lagonaki Highlands, only a small part of the North-West Caucasus between the Belaya and Pshekha rivers, but a very interesting territory geographically. Administratively, the highlands are located in the Krasnodar Territory (Apsheronsky and Sochi districts) and the Republic of Adygea (Maikop district).
The Lagonaki Highlands unites all the calcareous ridges and massifs between the Belaya and Pshekha rivers, drawing their boundaries along the cliffs of the Nagoy-Chuk massif and the Montenegro plateau in the west, and the rocky ledges of the Stone Sea and Azish-Tau ridges in the east. The orographic node of the highland is the mountain group of the Fisht massif. It is located in the very south of the described territory and is its highest part. It includes the mountains Fisht (2868 m), Oshten (2804 m) and Pshekha-Su (2744 m). The highest point of the highland, Mount Fisht, occupies the extreme southern position of the entire system. The massif has developed glacial and karst landforms and many caves. The massif, arcing around the source of the Belaya River, forms a huge circus. On the slopes of the peaks of the massif, 540 plant species grow, of which about 22% (120 species) are endemic. The predominant vegetation is subalpine and alpine meadows. Woody vegetation (pine forests, fir forests, beech and birch forests) is only on the southern slopes and at the foot of the massif. This is a remarkable and popular region of the North-West Caucasus. Here is the lowest snow limit (2650 m) and the westernmost glaciers of the Caucasus. There are hiking routes nearby, and on the banks of the Belaya River, at the foot of Mount Fisht, there is a tourist shelter. In clear weather, the entire Fisht-Oshtenovsky massif is clearly visible from Krasnodar (distance in a straight line is 135 km).
The climate of the Lagonaki Highlands is formed under the influence of various factors, the most important of which are geographical position and vertical zonality of the territory. There is a common tendency for average annual temperatures to decrease with height. Summer in the highlands is moderately cool in temperature, which is a consequence of the significant altitudes. The most high temperatures fall in July-August. The wind regime is subject to the peculiarities of the geography of the area. Wind speeds in the highlands are weakened. According to the Lago-Naki weather station, average monthly speeds of 1.5 - 2 m/s prevail, the lowest speeds are observed in July. Precipitation is unevenly distributed. In general, in the highlands their number increases with height. The highest average annual precipitation – 2744 mm – was recorded at the Belorechensky Pass.
There are not many mineral resources in this part of the North-West Caucasus. The most significant of them are gas and oil. Currently, two oil and gas condensate fields are being exploited - Maikopskoye and Koshekhablskoye. Place of Birth coal found in Jurassic deposits, but the layers are not large, from 45 to 70 cm. Their development is impractical. In the mountainous part of the North-Western Caucasus, manifestations of ore mineralization of molybdenum, tungsten, barite, polymetals (lead, zinc, copper), as well as silver and gold are widespread. Both native and placer (river-river) gold is known here. Many non-metallic minerals that can be used for production building materials(brick and expanded clay, sand, sand-gravel mixtures), ornamental stones (gypsum and anhydride), building and facing stones (limestone, dolomites, marble). There are mineral thermal springs (from +15° to 80° C). Four sources are used in medicinal purposes, on their basis sanatoriums and spas were built. Khansky spring - medicinal table sodium bicarbonate waters; Kurdzhipsky - medicinal table hydrocarbonate sodium chloride waters; Maikop - iodine-bromine highly mineralized waters and brines; Abadzekhsky – sulfide waters.
Main river this area is the Belaya River. It starts from the springs of Mount Oshten. The river flows into the Krasnodar reservoir near the village of Vasyurinskaya. The length of the river is 277 km. Total fall 2283m. The drainage basin is 5990 sq. km. More than 4,000 tributaries flow into Belaya. The main tributaries of the Belaya: right - Berezovaya, Kholodnaya, Teplyaki 1 and 2, Chesu, Molchepa, Kisha with Bezymyannaya, Dakh, Fyunt, Maykopka; left - Zhelobnaya, Aminovka, Shuntuk, Kurdzhips, Pshekha. Belaya is fed by precipitation, in the form of snow and rain, groundwater, as well as high-mountain snowfields and glaciers. White is high-water, it contributes an average of 3.4 billion cubic meters to the Kuban. m of water per year. The Belaya crosses a number of different landscapes on its way, so the character of the river changes from the upper reaches to the mouth. Initially, the Belaya River flows in a southeastern direction along a longitudinal mountain valley, parallel to the Main Caucasus Range, consistent with the direction of folding; during the formation of the valley, the river used a longitudinal tectonic fault in its upper reaches. Then the river turns sharply to the north, breaking through the mountain ranges, and cuts layers of Jurassic and younger sediments into a cross-strike pattern. Where the Belaya washed away more durable rocks (granite, sandstones, limestones), it developed a canyon-like deep valley with steep slopes (Granite Canyon, Khadzhokhskaya Gorge), and in less stable rocks, including clayey rocks, the river valley is expanded and carries a number of terraces (villages are located in such extensions). Moving along the river valley from the upper reaches to the lower reaches, you can see how the rock strata gradually change from the very ancient to the youngest, as if traveling through time from one geological era to another, younger one.
And the Lagonaki plateau, 2- Krasnaya Polyana area, 3- Arkhyz district, 4- Marukha-Aksautsky district, 5- Dombay and Teberda area, 6- Gwandra area.
Western Caucasus called the part of the Greater Caucasus west of the Elbrus peak. The length of the Main Caucasus Range (MCR) in this section is about 440 km. The highest peak of the Western Caucasus is Dombay-Ulgen (4046 m).
To the east of the Kardyvach mountain cluster, the state border runs along the GKH Russian Federation: first with Abkhazia, and then with Georgia. The territory adjacent to the GKH is a border zone, to visit which a pass is required.
Districts
Approximately half of the Western Caucasus (215 km) from Anapa to the Lagonaki Plateau is covered with forests. The belt of subalpine meadows appears here only on the tops of the highest mountains. In this part of the Western Caucasus in Goryachy Klyuch area Children's (school) walking tours are often held. To the west railway, which crosses the GKH and connects Tuapse with the flat regions of the Krasnodar Territory, the peaks do not exceed 1000 m in height. The highest are Tkhab (921), Pochepsukha (910), Agoi (994).
Near Fisht there are two more high mountains: 4 km north of Fisht is the peak of Pshekho-su (2744), and 3 km east of the latter is the peak of Oshten (2804). To the north of Pshekho-su and Oshten lies the treeless Lagonaki plateau, which is a highland with heights from 2000 to 2400 m. Its width from west to east is ~ 13 km, and from north to south ~ 10 km.
Agepsta (3257) in May. View from the Aishkha pass. Photo by A. Lebedev
Fishta region and Lagonaki plateau very popular among tourists and climbers. Here you can carry out wall climbs and easy hikes. Quite often this area is used for mountain and hiking trips during the May holidays. Rafting competitions are traditionally held on the Belaya River in the Guzeriplya region.Further, as you move to the southeast, the height of the GKH increases, and the size and number of glaciers increase.
IN Krasnaya Polyana area in the GKH or in its short northern spurs the peaks of Chugush (3238), Pseashkho (3256), Tsakhvoa (3345) are located. In the Gagrinsky ridge in the upper reaches of the Mzymta, the peak of Agepsta rises (3257). The largest glaciers in the Krasnaya Polyana area reach a length of one and a half kilometers.
There are many lakes here, the most famous of them are Kardyvach, Damkhors (Damkhurts), Mzi, lakes in the Imeretinka valley. The Mzymta River, like the Belaya River, is very popular among water tourists. These technically intense, but short rivers are especially attractive for short training trips, including during the May holidays.
The Krasnaya Polyana area is widely known as a ski resort. In 2014, the Winter Olympics are planned to be held in Krasnaya Polyana.
The entire high-mountainous area adjacent to the GKH, starting from the Lagonaki plateau (in the north-west) and ending with the mountain node near Lake Kardyvach in the upper reaches of the Mzymta (in the south-east), belongs to the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve. This limits the possibility of freely holding various mountain sports events.
The one to the southeast is freer in this regard. Arkhyz district. The highest peaks in this area are Pshysh (3790), Sofia (3637) and Amanauz (3530). The largest glaciers Amanauz and Bugoichat reach a length of 2.6 km. An extensive network of ridges - the northern spurs of the GKH and the Side Range, a segment of which in the Arkhyz region is called the Abshira-Akhuba ridge, allows you to plan a variety of mountain hikes.
Lake of Love over the Arkhyz pass
The Arkhyz region is a lake region. Dozens of beautiful lakes are scattered in the gorges and valleys of Arkhyz. Along with lakes of dammed origin, such as Kyafar and Chilik (in the Abshira-Akhuba ridge), there are many lakes of glacial origin. The most famous lakes are in the upper reaches of Atsgara (Zagedan lakes), Chilik, Kyafar, Agur, Sofia and Dukkinsk lakes, Lake Love, Belkau-Kel and Chabakly-Kel in the Morg-Syrty tract.
One of the valleys of the Arkhyz district is subject to the regime of the Teberda State Reserve. This is the valley of the Kyzgych River.
East of Arkhyz lies Marukha-Aksautsky district. It covers the valleys of the Marukha and Aksaut rivers. Here rise the sharp peaks of Karakaya (3893), Marukhbashi (3800) and Aksaut (3910) with rocky routes up to 5B grade.
In the Aksaut valley there is the largest glacier in the Western Caucasus - Dzhalovchatsky. Its length is 6.1 km, area 6.8 sq. km, the height of the end is 2310, the height of the firn line is 2920. Another large glacier, Marukhinsky, descends into the Marukhi valley. Its length is 4.0 km, area 3.3 sq. km, end height 2490, firn line height 2950.
Next to the East Dombay area(and Teberdy) is widely known as a ski resort. And it is also the birthplace of domestic mountaineering. In 1934, in the picturesque Dombay meadow, the first tourist and mountaineering camp of the Society of Proletarian Tourism and Excursions (OPTE) appeared in Dombay. And in 1936, 10 mountaineering camps were already operating in Dombay.
From the Alibek Pass in the west to the Chuchkhur Pass in the east (both in the northern spurs of the GKH), the highest and most famous peaks of the Western Caucasus (listed from west to east) surround the Dombay Glade in a grandiose horseshoe: Ertsog (3863), Belalakaya (3861), Sofrudzhu (3780) , Amanauz (3760), Dzhuguturlyuchat (3896), Ptysh (3688), Dombay-Ulgen (4046).The peaks of Amanauz and Dombay-Ulgen are known for their 6A class rock walls.
To the east, beyond the peaks of Buulgen (3918), Khakel (3645), Klych-Karakaya (3677) and Klukhorkaya (3500), the GKH sharply decreases to the Klukhor Pass (2782), through which the Military-Sukhumi Road passes from Russia to Abkhazia. This ancient caravan route (marked on a 14th-century Venetian map) was completed as a wheeled road in 1903. In the early 50s of the XX century. There was a planned walking tourist route along the Military-Sukhumi Road; it was no longer possible to travel along the road then. After the armed Georgian-Abkhaz conflict of 1992-1993. through traffic on the road is closed.
The Dombay region, together with the adjacent territories in the north in the Teberda River basin, belongs to the Teberda State Reserve.
The largest glaciers in the region (listed from west to east) Alibeksky, Belalakaysky, Sofrudzhu South, Sofrudzhu North, Amanauzsky, Buulgen, Khakel are inferior in size to the Dzhalovchatsky glacier in the Aksauta valley.
Table 1. Glaciers of the Dombay region.
The vast and reserve-free territory adjacent to the GKH between the Klukhorsky pass in the west and Elbrus in the east is usually called Gwandra district. This area includes the valleys of the Daut River, the Uchkulan River and its sources Mahar-Su and Gondarai, the Uzunkol River and the upper reaches of the Kuban. In the Uzunkol valley there is a mountaineering camp of the same name, therefore the part of the Gvandra region, including the Uzunkol valley and its sources Myrdy and Kichkinekol, is often called Uzunkola district. The highest peaks in the Gwandra region are Dalar (3988) and Gwandra (3985).
In 2017, Russia was in fourth place in terms of the number of natural UNESCO World Heritage sites, losing first place to China, the USA and Australia.
There are eleven natural sites on the World Heritage List, and four of them are recognized as natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance. Getting into this list of objects is not easy. Initially, the country prepares a list of sites that are of cultural and natural value and includes them in the preliminary list. Documents are prepared according to the criteria and rules defined by UNESCO. An application for consideration and inclusion is submitted no later than the first of February one year before the regular session of UNESCO.
The minimum duration for consideration of an application is one and a half years
After receiving the dossier, UNESCO checks its readiness and sends it for assessment to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the International Council for the Conservation of Monuments and Sites. These organizations assess the cultural and natural significance of the object, after which they send the dossier to a third body - the International Research Center for the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property.
Source: google.ru This center is the final stage at which the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is given recommendations on the protection of sites and training sessions are conducted. After the nomination and assessment of the natural object, a final decision is made and the object is either included in the World Heritage List or sent for revision, and additional information is requested.
The information provided on the inscription of sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List is described briefly and concisely. In fact, a lot of work is done before this or that object gets onto the list. Below we offer you to get acquainted with eleven natural sites in Russia.
Source: google.ru Virgin forests of Komi
The first natural object, which is a natural phenomenon of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance, is the Virgin Komi Forests. The forest area consists of lowland and mountain tundras, large tracts of primary boreal forests and an extensive wetland system. The Komi forests are home to more than forty species of mammals, including brown bear, sable and elk. Two hundred and four species of birds, including the white-tailed eagle, osprey and some others, are listed in the Red Book of Russia. Sixteen species of fish live in the reservoirs, including valuable glacial relics - palia char and Siberian grayling.
Lake Baikal
In the southeast of Siberia there is a second natural object, which is an outstanding example of the main stages of the history of the Earth - Lake Baikal. Baikal is an outstanding example of the ecological and biological processes occurring in it in the evolution and development of freshwater ecosystems. Lake Baikal is the oldest on planet Earth, its age is twenty-five million years. It is noteworthy that the real level of Lake Baikal is still virtually unknown. The purity of the water in the lake is maintained by the microscopic crustacean epishur.
Source: google.ru Volcanoes of Kamchatka
Eastern Russia, the Kamchatka Peninsula, is famous for its volcanoes and they represent the third World Heritage Site. The volcanoes of Kamchatka were formed in different geological eras and some of them are still active. It is difficult to determine the exact number of volcanoes; in some sources the estimate reaches more than a thousand volcanoes. The territory of Kamchatka volcanoes is biodiverse, lakes and rivers are famous for a large concentration of salmon fish, sea or Kamchatka beaver, forests - brown bear and Steller's sea eagle.
Golden Altai Mountains
The Golden Altai Mountains were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. The list includes three mountain sections - the Altai Reserve and the buffer zone of Lake Teletskoye, the Katunsky Reserve and the buffer zone of Mount Belukha, and the Ukok Plateau. The territories of the reserves consist of steppes, forest-steppes, mixed forests, subalpine and alpine zones. The areas were also included in the list due to the habitat of rare animals in order to preserve their populations - snow leopard, Altai mountain sheep and Siberian mountain goat. However, despite the inclusion of areas on the World Heritage List, poaching continues and the population of species is rapidly declining. The sites where Pazyryk burial grounds were discovered are also located in protected areas.
Pazyryk culture - archaeological culture of the Iron Age of the 6th - 3rd centuries BC
Western Caucasus
Western Caucasus is an important and significant natural habitat for a variety of ecosystems. Western Caucasus includes Sochi national park, the Ritsa and Pskhu nature reserves, the Caucasian State Reserve, the Bolshoy Tkhach Nature Park, the natural monuments “Buiny Ridge”, “Upper Reach of the Tsitsa River”, “Upper Reach of the Pshekha and Pshekhashkha Rivers” and the Teberda Nature Reserve. All sites are protected by UNESCO on the World Heritage List.
Source: google.ru Central Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve
In 2001, the Central Sikhote-Alin State Natural Biosphere Reserve was included in the World Heritage List. The reserve's territory extends from the high peaks of the Sikhote-Alin to the rocky shores of the Sea of Japan. The territory is dominated by Far Eastern coniferous-deciduous forests. Cedar-spruce forests, yew groves, steppe meadows and other sites are protected by UNESCO. Representatives of endangered species live in the territory, including the Amur tiger, sika deer, Himalayan bear, black stork, golden eagle and others.
Ubsunur Basin
The Ubsunur Basin was included in the World Heritage List in 2003 and is a conservation area of two countries - Russia and Mongolia. The site consists of twelve scattered protected areas, seven of them are located on Russian territory. The area of the shallow and very salty Lake Ubsunur is a habitat for migratory, waterfowl and shorebirds. The highland part of the basin is home to rare animals - the snow leopard, the argali mountain sheep and the Siberian ibex.
The Western Caucasus is part of the Greater Caucasus mountain system, located west of the meridional line passing through Mount Elbrus. The part of the Western Caucasus from Anapa to Mount Fisht is characterized by low-mountain and mid-mountain relief (the so-called North-Western Caucasus), further east to Elbrus the mountain system takes on a typical alpine appearance with numerous glaciers and high-mountain landforms.
In a narrower understanding, which is followed in mountaineering and tourism literature, only part of the Main Caucasus Range (MCR) from Mount Fisht to Elbrus is considered to be the Western Caucasus. Administratively, this region belongs to Karachay-Cherkessia (Russia), Krasnodar Territory (Russia) and the Republic of Abkhazia (Georgia). On the territory of the Western Caucasus there is the Caucasus Nature Reserve, which is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The core of the Western Caucasus mountain system is the GKH. The chain of massifs in the numerous northern spurs of the GKH, approximately 20 km from it, is called the Forward (Lateral) Ridge. Even further north, parallel to the GKH, stretches the Rocky Ridge. To the south of the GKH there are the Kodori, Abkhaz (Chkhalta), Bzyb and Gagra ranges.
The Western Caucasus is largely a forested mid-mountain region. The GKH line in the middle of the area reaches the forest border (2000-2200 m above sea level), near Mount Chugush (3240 m) it goes beyond 3000 m, and reaches its highest point in the eastern part (Mount Dombay-Yolgen - 4046 m).
A characteristic feature of the Western Caucasus is the combination of lush forests along the valleys and mountain slopes with pointed peaks and towering peaks covered with snow. Many glaciers here descend almost to the forest line. In stone bowls carved out by ancient glaciers there are many transparent blue and green lakes surrounded by flowering alpine meadows, mossy gloomy rocks and screes. Among them are the famous Lake Ritsa, high-mountain lakes Klukhorskoye, Kardyvach, Mtsra.
In the limestone massifs (Kodori, Bzyb, Gagra, Skalisty ridges) various shapes karst: deep chasms, underground rivers, caves, sinkholes, karras. On the southern slope there are many outlets of underground water: Gegsky waterfall, Mchisht, Blue Lake, Aapsta.
The rivers of the northern slope of the GKH belong to the Kuban basin, which starts from the Elbrus glaciers and in the upper reaches is called Uluukam. The largest of them are Uzunkol, Uchkulan, Daut, Teberda, Aksaut, Marukha, Zelenchuk, Bolshaya Laba, Malaya Laba. The main rivers of the southern slope are Nenskra, Kodor, Chkhalta, Bzyb, Mzymta. The water in the rivers is transparent and has a bluish or greenish tint.
From all the mountainous regions former USSR The Western Caucasus is distinguished by the greatest natural contrasts - from the glaciers of the Alpine highlands to the subtropics. The peculiarity of the climate is high humidity.
The Western Caucasus is the oldest and well-developed mountain tourism region. Both novice travelers and sports groups will find routes here. The simplest paths lie in the relatively low western part, starting from Arkhyz, where, both through the GKH and through its spurs, there are many passes of 1A and 1B difficulty categories (mostly scree and snow). This area is most suitable for non-category travel and hikes of categories I-II of difficulty.
The eastern section of the GKH with adjacent spurs (Gwandra region) is characterized by passes of 1B and 2A difficulty categories of different types (snow, ice, rock). Here, as in Arkhyz, there are rich opportunities for hiking of medium (up to category III) difficulty.
The main ridge in the Aksaut-Dombay area is relatively inaccessible. Most of the passes here belong to 2A-3A difficulty categories. The northern side of the passes is usually snowy and ice, the southern side is rocky. The southern slope is steep. The intersections of the GKH in this section can form the key elements of hikes of IV-V categories of difficulty.
Almost all the gorges of the Western Caucasus have roads, and there is a bus service to a number of points (from Mineralnye Vody, Cherkessk, Karachaevsk, Zelenchukskaya, Sukhumi, Gudauta, Adler). There are trails to the upper valleys and pastures along the ridges.
In the mountains of the Western Caucasus there are many historical monuments of interest to tourists: Stone Age sites; in the meadows there are numerous traces of ancient shepherding - the remains of cats, paddocks, trails; along the ancient trade routes there are chains of ruins of medieval fortresses and temples, mainly from the Alanian period and the heyday of Apsilia; a number of places are associated with the events of the Caucasian War (19th century), the stay of prominent Russian cultural figures in the Caucasus; the passes of the Main Range contain evidence of the battles of the Great Patriotic War.
The western part of the Greater Caucasus in terms of the diversity of flora and fauna and their preservation has no equal not only in the Caucasus region, but also among other mountainous regions of Europe and Western Asia. This is the area where it is concentrated a large number of endangered rare, endemic and relict species of plants and animals. It is especially important that the little-changed habitat of the most vulnerable large mammals has been preserved here: bison, Caucasian red deer, Western Caucasian aurochs, chamois, Caucasian subspecies of brown bear, wolf, etc.
The Caucasus Nature Reserve is practically the only habitat in the world for the mountain bison; outside this territory it is almost completely exterminated by poachers.
The area of the Western Caucasus, distinguished by its pronounced altitudinal zones (deciduous forests, coniferous forests, crooked forests, mountain meadows, nival belt), is recognized as one of the most extensive mountain forest reserves in Europe. Forests occupy at least 60% of the area here. These are beech, oak, maple, hornbeam, chestnut, fir, spruce and other species. In total, more than 3 thousand species are noted in the local flora, half of which are vascular plants, with every third of them defined as endemic, and every tenth as a relict of previous eras. About 250 species of birds have been recorded in the protected area, including rare predators nesting here - golden eagle, bearded vulture, osprey, griffon vulture, etc.
In general, more than 6 thousand species of plants and animals have been recorded in the Western Caucasus, which makes it a unique center of biodiversity not only on the scale of the Caucasus, but throughout Europe. At the same time, many species are recognized as rare and endangered and are listed in the Red Book of Russia, and some in the International Red Book.
Arkhyz
The village of Arkhyz is located in the southwestern part of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, 52 km south of the regional center - the village of Zelenchukskaya, with which it is connected by an asphalt road.
In recent times Soviet times this area was a real Mecca for mountain tourists and novice climbers. This was facilitated by such factors as easy accessibility in the transport sense, simple routes, beauty and diversity of landscapes. "Ariu kyz" translated from Karachay means a beautiful girl. To be even more precise - a gorge beautiful girls. There are several more approaches to deciphering this word. So, for example, on old maps the sources of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River were called “Irkiz”, which is close to the Turkic names of rivers - Irgyz is in the Volga region and in Kazakhstan.
The village is located in a wide intermountain basin at an altitude of 1450-1500 meters. This place is called the Karachay Five Rivers, because here, from the cold waters of the mountain rivers Kizgych, Psysh, Sofia and Arkhyz, Bolshoy Zelenchuk with amazingly clear blue-green water is formed.
A small Karachay village founded here in 1922 was named “Old Dwelling,” but it did not catch on and a few years later the village began to be called Arkhyz. Later, this name was assigned to an entire mountainous region, which has now become a serious “rival” of such famous tourist centers as Teberda and Dombay.
The Arkhyz region is the northern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range. The region extends from the Laba River valley in the west to the Marukh mountain range in the east. From here it’s a stone’s throw to the Black Sea; in a straight line it’s 70 kilometers away.
From the south, above the Arkhyzoskalnaya wall, whitened with gray hair, rises the Main Caucasus Range. Its heights here reach almost four kilometers. The highest point of Arkhyz is Mount Psysh (3790 m). There is another beauty in this mountainous region - peak Sofia (3637 m).
All 60 glaciers of Arkhyz are located on the Main and Sofia ridges above 2700 meters.
The climate of Arkhyz is milder than in neighboring valleys. The Abishir-Akhuba ridge, having fenced off the upper part of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk valley from the north with a high (3000m) barrier, blocked access to cold winds there. The wide valley unfolded along the meridian is well illuminated by the sun ( sunny days 280). Summer in Arkhyz is not hot. In the vicinity of the village, the average daily temperature in July and August is +15.3°C (up to +25°C during the day). Winter is mild and snowy. The average temperature in January is -5.4°C. Autumn is usually dry and warm until November.
The area is heavily dissected by a dense network of rivers and nameless streams. Home water artery is the high-water Bolshoi Zelenchuk, about 170 kilometers long (from the confluence of the Psysh and Arkhyz rivers to the confluence with the Kuban River). The most abundant tributary of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk is the Psysh with its tributaries: Sofia, Amanauz, Belaya, Kyzyl-Su, Koshevaya. The tributaries Rechepsta and Dukka flow into the Arkhyz River. The latter receives the waters of Malaya Dukka and Temir-Kulak. Malyi Kizgych, Bugoy-Chat, Chigordali and others flow into Kizgych.
The vegetation of the Arkhyz region is very diverse. There are more than 140 species of trees and shrubs. The Arkhyz forest is dominated by pine. Surprisingly slender and tall trees give everything around a stern and sedate appearance. In the upper reaches of Kizgych, a unique area of old fir forest has been preserved, which amazes with the power of giant trees and primeval beauty. Kizgych firs reach 60 meters in height, one and a half meters in girth, and their age is estimated at many centuries. Some specimens live up to 700 years. This area of forest is a remnant of those forests that dominated the North Caucasus in past centuries. The Arkhyz forest is a valuable gift of nature. Relict plants of the Tertiary period have been preserved here: Caucasian fir, spruce, yew, etc.
Undoubtedly, Arkhyz is one of the most interesting corners of nature in the Caucasus. But oddly enough, this wonderful mountainous area is still to some extent a “blank spot” for tourists, climbers and skiers.
Ak-Ayry pass
The Ak-Ayry pass has a difficulty category of 1B, the height of the pass is 3300 m, the character is snowy and rocky. The pass is located in the Sofia ridge northeast of the Nadezhda peak (the easternmost of the saddles) and connects the valleys of the Ak-Ayra (a tributary of the Sofia River) and Chuchkhur (a tributary of the Kizgych) rivers.
From the Glacier Farm tract in the Sofia Valley we cross over logs to the other side and begin to gain altitude. The slope is not very steep. After about 45 minutes of climbing, we reach the next clearing. The climb becomes more difficult. From a large open clearing you can see sheep's foreheads with Ak-Ayry waterfalls falling from them. The path begins on the right along the way; it goes around the sheep's foreheads on the right. First we cross a small tributary, then we gain about 100 m, ending up at the level of the waterfalls. The trail branches - the right path leads to the Stolichny (Bash-Jol) and Irkiz passes, the left path leads to the Ak-Ayry circus. Having climbed quite steeply for another fifty meters, the trail sharply goes to the left, traversing the slope along a shelf above the waterfalls. This is followed by a fairly long ascent along a dry riverbed, leading to the Spartak overnight camps - a green, flat clearing approximately 50 m in diameter. From here the trail leads to a scree and gets lost. The path is marked with tours. We rise, climbing onto the scree on the starboard side, and go out to the Ak-Aira circus.
Before takeoff, it is best to walk along the glacier - it is open and unbroken. The takeoff is flat at first (20° compacted stable very fine scree), then it becomes steeper, the scree becomes unstable. You should not climb head-on; it is better to go through the couloir to the right after about 100 m of ascent after increasing the steepness of the slope. We go out onto the rocks on the starboard side - it’s much safer and more convenient. We climb another 100 meters along the rocks. Then, on the last part of the takeoff, we have to return to the scree. Here it is very mobile, of a conglomerate type. We reach the saddle. The ascent takes approximately 3 hours. The descent is faster, but not easier, since it is the same scree, overlooking the snowfield and then onto the closed glacier. The glacier smoothly turns into a long and rather gentle snow tongue with a smooth slope along which you can move on a glider. Then for another half hour along the traverse path on the right along the grassy slope we reach the Green Lakes, where there are good sites for spending the night. Next, the descent is first along the banks of the lakes, then steeply along the bed of the stream or along it, then along the horizontal section of the valley along a path that constantly runs along the orographically right bank of the Chuchkhur River. At the end of the horizontal section on the right along the path, the path is blocked by a ridge-spur on the starboard side. The trail goes through it with a climb. After descending from the ridge, a zone of open forest begins, the steepness of the slope gradually increases. The path gets lost at times general recommendation- look for the path on the right side of the clearings. The last section of the descent is very difficult. Having got out of the forest into the grassy thickets of the bank of the Kizgych-Bash River, we go downstream and ford the Chuchkhur River. We follow a very powerful path along the “Devil's Mill” tract and come out to the flood of the Kizgych River. Here you can ford early in the morning.
Poachers Pass
The Poachers Pass has a difficulty category of 1A, the height of the pass is 2890 m, the nature is scree. The pass is located in the Arkasara ridge and connects the valleys of the Dukka and Bolshaya Laba rivers. There is no direct descent to the Bolshaya Laba; the trail descends to its tributary - the Burnaya River.
From the Bolshaya Laba valley we climb along the path along the Burnaya River to the shepherds’ camp on the right bank of the river (2100 m), where it is possible to spend the night at the edge of the forest. The trail to Dukka Pass departs here. Further, a path leads to the sources of the Burnaya River, along which after 3 km we come to a transverse moraine ridge. Behind it is a plain that was the bottom of a glacial lake (2200 m). Higher up the valley branches into two gorges. The left one will lead to the Dorbun pass (1A) and to the Belaya River, to the Duritsky pass (1A) and to Amanauz; right - to the Vorontsov-Velyaminov glacier and Poachers Pass.
It is necessary to cross the plain with the river in order to get out into the gloomy gorge to the right of its source. At first there will be a steep climb to a rocky ledge overgrown with rhododendron. Below there is a stream beating in a narrow slot, above there are rocks with trails of scree. Ahead in the rocky massif two depressions are visible: the Poachers Pass (1A), and to the right - a circus with a glacier named after the famous Soviet astronomer who discovered it, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences B. A. Vorontsov-Velyaminov, and the Vorontsov-Velyaminov Pass (1B ).
The last section of the climb to the pass is the most difficult: the slope of the pass is steep (about 30°). First we go straight, crossing the snowfield, along a large unstable scree. Then the trail goes to the left up along a smaller, grass-covered “loose patch” and takes a traverse to the pass (another 2 hours). You can also go head-on if your health allows...
From the Poachers Pass (this name stuck since the time when poachers who hunted aurochs and bears entered the Amanauz gorge from the Bolshaya Laba through a “secret” pass) a completely unexpected picture opens up after passing through the green valleys. Sharp ridges pierce the sky, Przysz dominates everything. Glaciers, snowfields and ribbons of waterfalls hang from the rocky cliffs. Silent huge world. Without coming up here, you will not know about the existence of such Arkhyz. The views that unfold on the descent from the pass are among the most striking pictures of the Arkhyz highlands.
A short direct descent (within the confines of the pass) leads into a hollow with a lake carved out by an ancient glacier. A stream flows out of the lake, which immediately breaks off from the “sheep’s foreheads.” You need to go around the cliff to the left along gentle terraces past huge rocky gates through which one of the largest glaciers in the area slides - the Amanauz glacier. Above its snow fields you can see the saddle of the pass of the same name (2A). To the left in the ridge rises the Amanauz peak (3530 m).
The route passes significantly above the glacial tongue and the stream escaping from under it. The stream runs down a narrow canyon, the passage through which is quite dangerous. You can go down to the lake near the tongue of the Amanauz glacier along gently sloping ridges, snowfields and grassy rocks to the left of the lake, but the main trail along the left slope 1.5 km from the pass turns left and soon leads out over the spur. This is a great place for viewing (2650m). On areas covered with thick grass, you can sit comfortably and see the gorge of the Amanauz River from a thousand-meter height. Mount Przysz is visible from the base to the top (2 km vertically). The trail crosses a spur and descends into the adjacent side valley along a steep grassy slope. After the niche with the lake, you need to follow the drying up rocky bed of the watercourse. Below, among the subalpine tall grass, on the banks of a clear stream, you can pitch tents (height - 2350 m). They also descend here after passing the Duritsky Pass (1A). The descent into the Amanauz River gorge runs along the stream. At the place where it falls off the rocky ledge, you need to cross to the left bank and go to the pine trees. Then you should go around the rocks above the stream on the right. The descent to the bottom of the gorge ends along the ridge of an old moraine overgrown with crooked forest. Ahead, a fir forest turns black, behind it, in a light haze, stretches the wall of the Sofia Range.
There are 2 km left to Psysh. A good trail leads along the bank of the Amanauz River to Arkhyz (5-7 hours of walking).
Vorontsov-Velyaminov pass
The Vorontsov-Velyaminov pass has a difficulty category of 1B, the height of the pass is 3050 m, the nature is snow-talus. The pass is located in the spur of the Arkasar ridge and connects the Vorontsov-Velyaminov (Burnaya River, right tributary of the Bolshaya Laba) and Azimba (Azimba River, right tributary of the Bolshaya Laba) glaciers.
The path to the pass along the Burnaya River valley coincides with the route to the Poachers Pass.
The ascent to the Vorontsov-Velyaminov Pass from the Burnaya River valley takes place along a snowfield (steepness of about 25°), blocking the river along a rocky ridge; lunch and overnight stay are possible at the top of the rocky ridge. Then the ascent continues along a non-steep snowfield with moraine outcrops. On the last moraines you need to form bundles. The exit to the rock massif is made on the right in the direction of travel. At the top there are sites for overnight stays and water. Next, you should climb in bundles along a gentle (about 15°) slope to the pass. At the pass there are several equipped sites for overnight stays.
From the farm, located at the confluence of Dukka and Rechespa, you need to walk straight along the road for 4 km to the shepherd's hut. Here you can cross the river along the masonry. There is no further road; a path leads to the pass. From here it is a 2 hour walk to the pass. It does not have a saddle characteristic of passes and is a large alpine meadow located at the junction of the Abishir-Akhub and Arkasar ridges. On the right, near a lonely fir, there is an obelisk. Further the path leads through the meadow past the sheepfold and after 30 minutes leads to a descent into the valley of the Phiya River.
