Trip to Akkem

March to Akkem (July 2010).

This campaign took place in July 2010. Since the winter began to correspond with the group, discussed options for the route. By the summer, all organizational issues had been resolved. And then July came. The group on the minibus came from Barnaul to Tungur, the road took more than 10 hours. We arrived in the evening, settled in the "Green House" at the Cherepanovs. We went to the bath after the road. We cooked dinner on a gas stove in a separate small house - the kitchen, it was warm, had dinner under a canopy in the air. The Katun River runs very close. We spent the night in a separate hut. In the morning, the horses arrived, distributed the cargo to the horses. Horse breeders and 3 participants who wished to ride horses left, a little later GAZ-66 arrived on which we left - a group of pedestrians, I - an instructor and 5 tourists. All our cargo will carry horses, and we will go on foot with a small supply of food for the day and the necessary things – a raincoat, some warm clothes in case of cold snap and a camera. When climbing to the Kuzuyak Pass in steep areas in places had to go out and walk, the road is extreme. GAZ 66 brought to the bridge over the river Akkem. The first camp was set up just behind the bridge. In the evening we had time to eat strawberries on the nearest hill. We gathered in the morning, and while the horsemen and cavalry were packing the cargo, we, the pedestrians, had already set out on the trail. First, they walked down the Akkem River, and then turned to the tributary - the Orokta stream and went along the path up the stream. On the sunny slope, large wild strawberries were eaten (this is our advantage over those who ride horses) - this somewhat slowed down our movement. The horsemen and the horsemen caught up with us and drove forward (this is their advantage). Climbing the stream Orokta, went to the cedar and went the crest of the watershed of the rivers Akkem - Argut. It's cool, but so far the weather is normal. Came to the Tukman parking lot, on the border of the forest, small islets of cedar and rocks, next to a small stream with a wild onion and small shrubs of golden root. The cavalry were already in place, unloaded and lit a fire. Just managed to pull the awning, as soon as Lebanon came out of a bucket. We cooked food under a shower, the fire had to cover with a tin. In the morning, the clouds inflated, a beautiful view of Beluha opened. Horse breeders trained eye saw and showed the others in binoculars maralukha with maralenka, grazing on the mountainside. We had breakfast, gathered, and the pedestrians, as always, came out first. This day the trail goes along the border of the forest in cedar and slightly above the forest in chars. The weather is good and can be seen far away. In places on the northern slopes along the streams there is snow. We snack in the middle of the day, drink tea from a thermos and move on. The cavalry are catching up with us, and we decide that we will spend the night on the Kamdyk Creek, before descending to the Tekelyu River. We go down to Lake Culduyre, jumping on the stones, cross the stream and climb a small pass. At the top, we enter the “pen”, an interesting place surrounded by rocks on all sides and open on one side. On the rocks we find a horizontal round hole, as if drilled in stone, the diameter is such that you can stick your hand. Keep moving, Belukha. We come to the parking lot, there is already a fire burning. In the morning we go down a steep slope to the river Tekel. Horsemen with horses remain, and we walk up the Tekell River, cross the bridge to the orographically left bank and go along the path up. We're approaching Teckel Falls. In total, there are 3 cascades on the river: 1 at the bottom, near the confluence of Akkem, the second - the one we came to - the middle, and another - higher. Cascades of waterfalls on the Tekelu River are a natural monument of republican significance. After sliding on the kurum and taking pictures, we gather back. Horsemen cross the bridge to their horses, and we pedestrians climb up the pass. Almost before the end of the climb on the border of the forest, the cavalry catch up with us. We're all taking pictures upstairs. Beluga is here. On the plateau - Sarybel, above the forest, go towards Belukha. Going down to the Jarl stream, there are cavalry waiting for us, horse breeders on horses went to camp on Lake Akkem, and we decided to walk to the Yarlu valley, in the orographically left tributary, there followers of some mystical teachings built a stone city, pyramids of stones, a stone fence behind which is a Japanese stone garden. In the center is a large stone, according to legend, if you climb on it and make a wish, it will come true. We come to the parking lot on the orographically right shore of the lake, opposite the base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The fire's on, we're cooking dinner. The next day, closer to lunch, we take a tour of the glacier to Belukha. Belukha Mountain together with four separate territories is included in the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites under the single name “Altai – Golden Mountains”. The weather is good, with a wonderful view of Beluha from the glacier. By evening, we barely have time to return to camp when it starts raining. The lake is tightening the fog. We are sadly thinking that tomorrow we need to climb the Karaturek Pass. It's more than a kilometer high. It's late at night, sitting by the fire, we hear a bird chirping. Adisych, one of the horse breeders, remarks: "It will be good weather." And in fact, we get up in the morning - cool and great weather. By boat we move to the other side of the Akkem River and start climbing Karaturek. The main thing is to get higher before the heat comes. And up there, next to the snow, a cool breeze is already blowing. The pass is cool as always. We take pictures and eat. Horsemen climb another 70 meters up and we, pedestrians, walk along the edge of the cliff and find ourselves on the crest of the watershed of the Akkem and Kucherla rivers. From the Akkem side there are cliffs, the river is no longer visible, but the Kucherly valley is clearly visible. After walking along the trail, before descending to the Stone Hut, we go to the spur to admire the Kucherlin Lake. Here we call (there is a cellular connection - MTS), everyone shares his impressions with his friends, who at this time are sitting in stuffy cities. Giant expanses around, and I want to break away and take off. Going down to the Stone hut - it was made by Grigory Chamtyev, now an elderly, but still energetic hunter from the village of Kucherla. In the '70s, he was a shepherd in these places, standing with sheep. It can tell you a lot about the taiga and its inhabitants. Not far from the stone hut there is a crevice in the stones, but it will not be possible to climb far, the crevice narrows, the passage is only for melt water. We're going down to the so-called cedar clearing. A cozy glade, surrounded on all sides by cedars, in the middle of the glade runs a stream. Horsemen, as always, are already in place and unloading things, melting the fire. Last night in the taiga. At night the stars are big and there are many. Taiga lives her nightlife. Nearby a horse snores, in the distance screams some night bird. The next day, descending to the river Kucherla on a steep slope, we continue to go down the river. We approach the tract of Tian Mes - where on the rock ancient petroglyphs, for some reason everyone (except the locals) calls this place the grotto of Kuylu. Kuylu's creek is near, of course, but there's still a way to go before him. Especially since on the way we again come across a slope with strawberries. It smells like we can't resist. After climbing the slope on all fours and eating plenty, we go to catch up with the cavalry. Going to Yelani, I see a friend from Tungur. He came to the Niva to fish. After a little talk, he agrees to take us to Tungur. The last kilometers 12-14 fly with the breeze, ahead of the cavalry. At home in Tungur we are already waiting for a bath, buy milk, mead, fresh greens from the garden and have a feast. Those who wish to swim in Katun, the weather is excellent, the water is almost warm. The whole trip took 7 days. Most of the hike took place on the territory of the natural park "Belukha". In the campaign we were helped by horse breeders Ivan Sysov and Vladimir Zyryanov. Overnight in Tungur at Andrei and Sveta Cherepanov.

https://youtu.be/uKLAGJp6b48 First part

https://youtu.be/gH63EKjHJZU Second part