M34. Dukka Pass - r. Burnaya - r. B. Laba. Technical description of the route

I spent two weeks in the fresh air - we walked along the passes and lakes of the Western Caucasus. We went along the route: village. Arkhyz – per. Barite (rad) – r. Psysh - r. Arkhyz – Moonlight Glade – lane. Fedoseeva (rad) - r. Arkhyz - r. B. Dukka - trans. Dukka (rad) - lake. Seven-colored - lane. Ayu-lu - trans. Temir-Kulak (rad) – r. Belaya - r. Psysh - lake Craternoe - lane Kara-Jash - lake. Sofia - lane Irkiz - Sofia river - Sofia airborne district. - per. Sofia Sedlo(rad) - Psysh river - village. Arkhyz. Some photos and details can be seen under the cut.

The route through the picturesque surroundings of Arkhyz was suggested by my friend Peter, who was planning to take it last year, but then the plan did not come true. Business card Arkhyz has numerous high-mountain lakes, of which there are more than a hundred in the area. The most beautiful area is to the south of the village, in the area of Mount Sofia (3637 m). Since the border between Russia and Abkhazia runs nearby, we ordered passes to the border zone in advance (2 months in advance). The easiest way to get to the place turned out to be by bus, which runs weekly from Mariupol to the Arkhyz tourist center "Alania" (this year the fare was 550 UAH round trip). Using direct transport to the place minimizes delays and expenses for clearing customs and eliminates the need to look for transport to Arkhyz on the spot.

*** Day 1 ***
Having arrived at the place, we left our backpacks in a cafe and made an acclimatization trip to the Baritovy Pass (we only reached half of the waterfalls; everyone didn’t want to go further). In the evening we hired a minibus, which for 1,500 rubles took us to Lunnaya Polyana along a dusty road past five-star hotels under construction.

*** Day 2 ***
We settled down on Lunnaya Polyana, next to the stationary camp of the Zaporozhye tourist club. We decided to have a day, during which we went to the Fedoseev Pass (2880m). Having climbed the pass, we saw the first Mountain Lake- Agur. The panoramas are clickable and can be viewed in high resolution (4MB).

*** Day 3 ***
From Moonlight Glade we walked along the road along the Arkhyz River, then upstream of its tributary, the Dukka River. On a hot day, thickets of horse sorrel emitted a specific pungent odor.

We wanted to get to the Seven-Colored Lake in the upper reaches of Dukka, but we didn’t get there a little, we stopped opposite a shed with a herd of sheep and goats (across the river). At night we heard some noise - sheep were bleating heart-rendingly, dogs were barking, people were screaming. The next morning the shepherd said that a bear came and tried to drag away the sheep.

*** Day 4 ***
In the morning I ran lightly to the Arkasara (Dukka) pass. From the pass there was a view to the west into the valley of the Bolshaya Laba River. I returned just in time - the border guard was checking our group’s passes and documents.

We went up a little, and there it was - the Seven-Colored Lake. Indeed, you look from below - purple, from above - blue, but you can’t distinguish the other colors.

We went further up, passed three or four more successively located small lakes, and further to the horizon this terrain, not very convenient for movement, spread out:

The mountain from which the Dukka River begins:

We climbed over the boulders for three hours, finally stopping near the lake in front of the Ayu-lyu (Bear) pass.

From the Ayu-lyu pass, part of the group decided to run even higher, to the Temir-Kulak pass (3025 m). We had to climb it along scree without visible paths. In the photo on the right you can see the lake where we recently vacationed (from the previous photo)

Behind the Temir-Kulak pass to the north there was a view of the already distant Abishir-Akhub ridge and the conquered Fedoseev pass:

We returned to Ayu-lyu, took a group photo and began to descend towards the Belaya River.

A little lower we could see the lake where we decided to spend the night. Behind him below was the green valley of the Belaya River, and the entire distant horizon was occupied by a chain of peaks. On the right Pshish (3790 m) rose majestically, in the middle there was white glaciers and snowfields Kizgych - part of the Main Caucasus Range, and a little to the left and further peeked out Sofia (3637 m) - the pearl of Arkhyz, to the foot of which we had to reach.

We went down to the lake and once again looked at the panorama opening on the horizon.

All the ground next to the lake where we set up our tents was riddled with mouse holes. In the evening and the next morning, turs (wild mountain goats) came, which jumped over stones with amazing ease and were not afraid of people, coming close enough. Counted 8 rounds simultaneously

*** Day 5 ***
We descended into the valley of the Belaya River. The trail first traversed along a grassy slope, then through birch thickets, then fell steeply into a canyon in a coniferous forest. Having overcome the last meters of the steep descent, we came to the waterfall.

We crossed the shallow Belaya River, passed through the border outpost and headed up along the Psysh River, hoping to cross to its right bank.

Soon a bridge was discovered, the middle support of which had been overturned by the current. But the cables held tight and the crossing was not difficult, although it took quite a lot of time.

But then the mountains decided that they had been pampering us with good weather for too long, and the sky quickly became cloudy. Soon it started to rain coldly, then hail and we had to quickly look for a parking spot. The water level in the river instantly rose, the dry road disappeared and my sneakers had to drink in water. In the evening we made a “taiga” fire, on which we dried all kinds of clothes.

*** Day 6 ***
The rain did not stop the entire next day. We decided to have a day out, fortunately we had one day left, won in Arkhyz. Preference and munchkin were absent, but they were successfully replaced by the game of "balda", which also turned out to be an exciting and fun activity. Sometimes, when the rain stopped for a few minutes, the following picture could be seen on the river:

*** Day 7 ***
At some point, six of us were sitting in our four-person tent, which was installed on a small hill, we suddenly heard a murmur. Part of the river found a new channel, and Sasha’s tent was in the way. We had to urgently organize drainage.

After lunch, the rain stopped and we began to climb towards the Kara-Jash pass. We only managed to reach a small but beautiful lake, shaped like a comma. In the middle there were several grassy islands.

There is no firewood above the forest zone and you can only cook on gas burners.

The sunset sun no longer penetrates into the depths of the gorges.

*** Day 8 ***
From Lake Kopyataya we begin the ascent to the Kara-Jash pass (2900 m). We pass by the turn to the nearby Orlyonok pass, under which many names of cities are laid out from stones. Again we slowly crawl along the moraine, sometimes among the stones we come across small lakes of firn, snow and water.

The relief does not indulge in variety.

And finally the pass. Looking beyond the bend, we see the green Sofia Valley below, and very close by is the Secret Lake, which we do not need to approach.

Let's go back a little to look at beautiful lake A crater that was not visible during the ascent.

We return to Kara-Jash and begin the descent from the pass. In past years there was much more snow here, but now there is enough for small rides.

Sofia is clearly visible ahead.

We reached the upper Sofia lakes and set up camp. The blueness of the water is amazing - according to rumors, the depth of this lake reaches 100 meters.

The place is popular - besides us, there were two more groups of tourists near the lakes - from Perm and St. Petersburg.

Bright green grass blue water, purple and yellow flowers, white snowfields - the real colors of the Alpine summer.

All the water in the lakes is flowing, constantly flowing from one lake to another.

In the evening I climbed higher on the hill and took a panorama. If you look at it in full resolution, you can see our tent between the dark blue and light blue lakes. While I was climbing, two aurochs hunters (and maybe poachers) came to the camp. When I went down to the tents, it was already getting dark. Seeing the tur, one of the hunters took a gun and ran up the scree. The Permians shouted "Goat, run!" Two shots were fired, and soon the disappointed hunter went down empty-handed.

*** Day 9 ***
We got out early in the morning to watch the sunrise, but just at that moment the clouds covered the sun. We went back to bed and ended up leaving late. But today there was a short trek ahead, and there was no hurry. Finally, I took a photo with the lake in the background.

Well, how can you not take a photo in such a place?

From the lake we climb to the Irkiz pass, which on this side is very low, about forty meters. However, beyond the pass we were faced with an order of magnitude greater drop in altitude. It started to rain on the steep slope and we hurried down.

We reached the Ak-Ayry stream, flowing out from under the Sofia Glacier, and set up camp among thickets of rhododendron and fireweed.

After lunch we planned to climb up and walk to the foot of the West Sofia Glacier. The sky was overcast again, all the tops of the mountains were in the clouds.

We rose in the clouds and there was a constant drizzle of fine cold rain. There was almost no vegetation at the top. Dirty gray streams flowed from the Nadezhda Pass and the Sofia Glacier.

Katya against the backdrop of Mount Nadezhda

Having reached the glacier, we took a closer look and saw at about half its height a group of ten people who were slowly rising in the direction of the Kozhukhov glacier pass. But we didn’t have cats, nor did we have the desire to climb up the firn. After standing for five minutes, everyone froze and decided it was time to run down.

It was much warmer below, the rain had stopped and a perfect alpine picture opened up. Several waterfalls gurgled along the green slopes at once, but, unfortunately, only one fit into the frame.

*** Day 10 ***
We go down along the Ak-Ayry River into the Sofia Valley.

Along the way we stop by to see each waterfall. It is risky to approach some of them closer than thirty meters - you can get completely wet.

The trek that day was also short, and soon we found ourselves in a clearing with a magnificent view of Sofia and the glaciers of its eastern slope. There is already a highway here, there are a lot of tents, and kiosks sell beer, khychin (chebureks), and ayran.

In the evening, I decided to run lightly to the Sofia Sedlo pass, behind which there is a nature reserve - the valley of the Kizgych River. Passed by the waterfalls, leaving the next day.

While climbing the pass, the sun was descending to the horizon. Everything around was in warm yellow-green tones.

The pass turned out to be a little further than it seemed from below (I had to climb almost 600 m) and I was slightly out of breath. A cold wind blew overhead and memorial plaques hung. The path leading to the reserve was not visible, so I ran back. When I returned to camp, my comrades had just finished all the ayran.

*** Day 11 ***
The whole crowd went to look at the Sofia Falls and the pass. The waterfalls were certainly impressive. I regretted not taking a wide-angle lens and a tripod with a panoramic head.

But it was not possible to get to the pass - the oncoming squad of border guards turned the entire group back. It turned out that the waterfalls, as well as the entire Sofia Valley from this year, are an area open to free visits, and Sedlo is already a border zone. Since the pass remained in the camp, we had to turn back. However, I didn’t particularly regret it, since in the evening the lighting at the pass was still better.

We got ready and walked along the road to the Taula clearing, where the last night was planned. It was eight kilometers away along a dirt road, and while we were walking, Sofia with its glaciers kept peeking out from behind. The clearing was already full of civilization - a bazaar, a memorial to the defenders of the Caucasus in the Second World War, horse riding, geocaching, baths and the sale of souvenirs.

*** Day 12 ***

We returned to Arkhyz along the Arkhyz-Phiye road, which is under construction. Dust, transport, tourist center, bus, border, smoky Mariupol, and finally, Kharkov.
How long will I miss the clean mountain air... But nothing can be done, I’ll have to get used to it. Until next time.

August 25th, 2011 , 06:15 pm

I spent two weeks in the fresh air - we walked along the passes and lakes of the Western Caucasus. We went along the route: village. Arkhyz – per. Barite (rad) – r. Psysh - r. Arkhyz – Moonlight Glade – lane. Fedoseeva (rad) - r. Arkhyz - r. B. Dukka - trans. Dukka (rad) - lake. Seven-colored - lane. Ayu-lu - trans. Temir-Kulak (rad) – r. Belaya - r. Psysh - lake Craternoe - lane Kara-Jash - lake. Sofia - lane Irkiz - Sofia river - Sofia airborne district. - per. Sofia Sedlo (rad) - Psysh river - village. Arkhyz. Some photos and details can be seen under the cut.

The route through the picturesque surroundings of Arkhyz was suggested by my friend Peter, who was planning to take it last year, but then the plan did not come true. The calling card of Arkhyz are the numerous high-mountain lakes, of which there are more than a hundred in the area. The most beautiful area is to the south of the village, in the area of Mount Sofia (3637 m). Since the border between Russia and Abkhazia runs nearby, we ordered passes to the border zone in advance (2 months in advance). The easiest way to get to the place turned out to be by bus, which runs weekly from Mariupol to the Arkhyz tourist center "Alania" (this year the fare was 550 UAH round trip). Using direct transport to the place minimizes delays and expenses for clearing customs and eliminates the need to look for transport to Arkhyz on the spot.

*** Day 2 ***
We settled down on Lunnaya Polyana, next to the stationary camp of the Zaporozhye tourist club. We decided to have a day, during which we went to the Fedoseev Pass (2880m). Having climbed the pass, we saw the first mountain lake - Agur. The panoramas are clickable and can be viewed in high resolution (4MB).

We went up a little, and there it was - the Seven-Colored Lake. Indeed, you look from below - purple, from above - blue, but you can’t distinguish the other colors.

We went further up, passed three or four more successively located small lakes, and further to the horizon this terrain, not very convenient for movement, spread out:

The mountain from which the Dukka River begins:

We climbed over the boulders for three hours, finally stopping near the lake in front of the Ayu-lyu (Bear) pass.

Behind the Temir-Kulak pass to the north there was a view of the already distant Abishir-Akhub ridge and the conquered Fedoseev pass:

We returned to Ayu-lyu, took a group photo and began to descend towards the Belaya River.

We went down to the lake and once again looked at the panorama opening on the horizon.

We crossed the shallow Belaya River, passed through the border outpost and headed up along the Psysh River, hoping to cross to its right bank.

Soon a bridge was discovered, the middle support of which had been overturned by the current. But the cables held tight and the crossing was not difficult, although it took quite a lot of time.

*** Day 7 ***
At some point, while the six of us were sitting in our four-person tent, which was set up on a small hill, we suddenly heard a murmur. Part of the river found a new channel, and Sasha’s tent was in the way. We had to urgently organize drainage.

There is no firewood above the forest zone and you can only cook on gas burners.

The sunset sun no longer penetrates into the depths of the gorges.

The relief does not indulge in variety.

And finally the pass. Looking beyond the bend, we see the green Sofia Valley below, and very close by is the Secret Lake, which we do not need to approach.

We return slightly to look at the beautiful Kraternoe Lake, which was not visible during the ascent.

We return to Kara-Jash and begin the descent from the pass. In past years there was much more snow here, but now there is enough for small rides.

Sofia is clearly visible ahead.

We reached the upper Sofia lakes and set up camp. The blueness of the water is amazing - according to rumors, the depth of this lake reaches 100 meters.

The place is popular - besides us, there were two more groups of tourists near the lakes - from Perm and St. Petersburg.

Bright green grass, blue water, purple and yellow flowers, white snowfields - the real colors of the Alpine summer.

All the water in the lakes is flowing, constantly flowing from one lake to another.

Well, how can you not take a photo in such a place?

We reached the Ak-Ayry stream, flowing out from under the Sofia Glacier, and set up camp among thickets of rhododendron and fireweed.

After lunch we planned to climb up and walk to the foot of the West Sofia Glacier. The sky was overcast again, all the tops of the mountains were in the clouds.

We rose in the clouds and there was a constant drizzle of fine cold rain. There was almost no vegetation at the top. Dirty gray streams flowed from the Nadezhda Pass and the Sofia Glacier.

Katya against the backdrop of Mount Nadezhda

It was much warmer below, the rain had stopped and a perfect alpine picture opened up. Several waterfalls gurgled along the green slopes at once, but, unfortunately, only one fit into the frame.

*** Day 10 ***
We go down along the Ak-Ayry River into the Sofia Valley.

Along the way we stop by to see each waterfall. It is risky to approach some of them closer than thirty meters - you can get completely wet.

In the evening, I decided to run lightly to the Sofia Sedlo pass, behind which there is a nature reserve - the valley of the Kizgych River. Passed by the waterfalls, leaving the next day.

While climbing the pass, the sun was descending to the horizon. Everything around was in warm yellow-green tones.

*** Day 11 ***
The whole crowd went to look at the Sofia Falls and the pass. The waterfalls were certainly impressive. I regretted not taking a wide-angle lens and a tripod with a panoramic head.

*** Day 12 ***

DESCRIPTION OF THE PASS

description of the passes of the Caucasus library of the halt how to pass the technical description of the pass and photographs of the pass saddle saddle pass

Temir-Kulak

Gorge river Temir-Kulak is located off the beaten track. You can get there along the right bank path from the mouth of the river. Dukka (3 km). There is a camp site on a cape between two rivers. Then the trail rises to the watershed, bypassing the wooded gorge of the river. Temir-Fist and leads to the Kosh. The valley becomes wider, the forest recedes. Continuing the traverse of the left side of the valley, we see more koshes, stripes of crooked birch forest and soon we emerge onto a wide meadow.

Ahead in the ridge. Gabulu-Chat is dominated by a pyramid of an unnamed peak (3090 m).

To its right is the saddle of the pass to the tributary of the river. White; even further to the right, between the peak (3150 m) and the city of Temir-Kulak (a two-headed mountain with a snowfield, 3186 m), the pass of the same name can be seen. The passage to it is obvious: to the south, where the last few birch trees turn white. Near them is the first lake (2.5 hours from the river mouth). Having climbed to the upper circus, we find ourselves at the next lake among the screes. From here we walk along screes and snowfields (2.5 hours from

lower lake

.

) on the lane

_____________________________________________________________

Temir-Kulak (1A, 3025 m). From the pass you can clearly see the traversed valley, the right side of which is crossed by a path leading to the ridge. Gabulu-Chat south of Goryachev Rock; river valley Dukkah against the background of the ridge. Abishira-Ahuba from the city of Rechepsta (3215 m); snowy mountains of the sources of Psysh and the city of Pshish in the east.
Descent - along the scree to the rocky plateau of the lane. Ayulu. From here you can go to the river. Belaya or make a traverse along the lake circuses to the lake. Amanauz. - photo Ronzhin A.A. The Temir-Kulak pass (1A, 3000, os-sn) is located in the spur of the Gabulu ridge and connects the valleys of the Temir-Kulak rivers (a tributary of the Dukka) and the upper reaches of the Big Dukka.

The Temir-Kulak River flows into Dukka just below the confluence of the Big and Small Dukka.