Glaciers of Aktru, Altai Mountains: photoes and reviews of tourists

These extraordinary and amazingly beautiful places in the Altai are known not only for their enchanting landscapes, but also for the intolerable heat in the summer and terribly cold winters (frosts reach up to 62 degrees).

All this attracts and attracts travelers to Altai. Glacier Aktru is one of the main attractions of these delightful places. Many more wonderful natural wonders can be seen in the valley of the Aktru river (in the Turkic name means "camp", or "white parking").

Kosh-Agach region: general description

This region of Gorny Altai is located in the southeastern part of it. It is the largest and remote from the center of the republic. The area of its stretching is 19 thousand 860 square meters. Km, and it borders on Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China.

In the north-eastern part of the district is the Republic of Tuva, near there are Ust-Koksinsky, Ulagan and Ongudai districts of Altai. The Chuysk tract, which crosses the territory in the north-eastern part, connects the Altai with the republic of Mongolia. And this is the only road in these places with a hard surface.

The Kosh-Agachsky District, formed in 1922, is on the third place (about 17.5 thousand people) by all the population. Its administrative center is with. Kosh-Agach. The population is represented by Russians, Altaians and Kazakhs. And the latter make up a large part of the local inhabitants. Kazakhs moved to these territories from the Eastern part of Kazakhstan in the 19-20th centuries.

Many rivers flow here: Argut, Chuya, Jaazater, Chagan-Burgaz, Ak-Alaha, Karagem, Tarhata, Taldur, Ak-Kol, Kara-Alakh, Kalguti. Among the many beautiful lakes stand out the most picturesque - Shavlinsky and Goluboye.

The territory of the region is concentrated by deposits of rare metals (about 20): mercury, molybdenum, tungsten, bismuth, lithium, beryllium, rubidium, tantalum, cesium, cobalt.

The Aktru Ranges

In the mountain chain of the ridge of Severo-Chui, at an altitude of 2150 meters, the Aktru gorge is located. The Big Aktru (the main glacier) is above all. And it is divided into two parts: Left and Right.

All the Aktru glaciers are quite powerful and have a great length. Maximum power of ice in the Altai is observed on them: in some places it reaches a thickness of up to 360 meters. The highest point here is the mountain of Aktru-Bashi (altitude 4075 m), on which one of the most famous mountaineering centers in Altai, functioning since 1938, is located. There are routes from the simplest to the highest (6th) category of complexity.

This year-round camp Aktru, where absolutely everyone can not only spend their holidays, but also to undergo a certain training course.

Glaciers

Glaciers of the Aktru are truly fabulous, dynamic, impressive and majestic. They give life and food to numerous rivers. It should be noted that they are quite low and descend almost to the earth's surface, that's why there is an opportunity for people to come in contact with this natural wonder.

In the mountain-glacial basin under consideration, there are 5 glaciers: Bolshoy and Maly Aktru, Kyzyl-Tash, Vodopadny, Kurkurek. The smallest of all is Maly Aktru, the height of the top (the very end) is 2220 meters above sea level. It is snowy almost always and is characterized by a steep slope, and in connection with this - a frequent icefall.

The Big Aktru is the main glacier, occupying an area of about 10 square kilometers. Km and higher. As already noted, its ice massif is incredibly powerful - this is the maximum thickness in the entire Altai. It is divided into Left and Right.

All Aktru glaciers are large and have a long extension. The maximum thickness of ice in the Altai is observed on them: in some places it reaches a thickness of up to 360 meters.

Excursion to the Blue Lake

From the above mountaineering camp, many excursions to the beautiful Blue Lake are organized. This is the most popular route for tourists. It is compulsory in the travel of tourists accompanied by an instructor. However, those wishing to go through this path should independently orient themselves by the stone pyramids located on each stretch of the route (100 meters).

In total, the journey takes approximately 3 hours. It runs along the left bank of Aktru along the slopes of Kyzyl-Tash mountain (in the translation "red mountain"). The road leads to "Lamb's foreheads", after which it is necessary to climb to the right on a steep courageous couloir.

At the end of the ascent, the travelers look at the vast ice space framed by rocks. Under your feet there is a hard glacier. A kilometer from the edge of this block you can climb to the top of the moraine shaft, from which a breathtaking magnificent view of the lake of a turquoise-green shade opens.

Route to the Aktru Glacier

The valley of Aktru attracts people by its purity and untouched nature. From the mountain you can go down on skis or snowboards almost all year round.

How do I get to the glacier?

At the settlement of Kurai, it is necessary to turn off the Chui tract and cross the Kyzyl-Tash mountain, then turn slightly to the left and reach the bridge over the Chuyu river. Here there are many forks, so the river Chuya can serve as a guide in the way. Further it is necessary to move along along the current of this river all the way to the forest, to the bank of the river. The actress. In this place there is an opportunity to rest and even spend the night, and also rent a GAZ-66 car for further ascent to the climbing camp. But before the so-called "transshipment" can be reached only by a car with increased cross-country traffic, since the road further becomes stony.

Traveler Reviews

Glaciers Aktru, like the whole valley, is interesting not only for climbers, but also for real romantics who love wildlife. All travelers and tourists who have been here once leave in their memory an unforgettable impression of the magnificent nature of these places.

Attracting people here are amazing natural attractions: the blue sky, contrasting with severe gloomy rocks; Fabulously white strata of snow; Glacial brooks disappearing in the bottomless precipices of ice; The walls are ice and bridges, under which the rapid white waters of the Aktru River rush with great speed; A beautiful waterfall, born very recently, and so on.

However, one should always be careful here, since the Aktru glaciers are fraught with a number of dangers: avalanches, cracks hidden under the snow cover, rockfalls and so on.

In conclusion, one more interesting fact

For a long time the Aktru valley was the main laboratory of the famous MVTronov, a scientist-glaciologist. This is now only reminiscent of his house, which has survived to this day. There is also a memorial plaque located on a large boulder near the end of the tongue of the Maly Aktru glacier. It was made and installed by the disciples of Tronov.

In addition, in honor of the scientist was also named the hanging glacier, located on the mountain Kara-tash (translated as "black stone"). This funny and strange name - Trouser trousers, because the shape of the glacier actually resembles this kind of clothing.