Khamar-Daban Ridge: description, map, photo, lake Heart and tourist routes

One of the most ancient massifs of the planet, stretching from east to west for 350 kilometers and forming a mountainous country in the south of Baikal, Khamar-Daban is located on the territory of the Irkutsk region and Buryatia. It covers an area of 80 kilometers wide, the highest point is 2396 meters. In some cases, Khamar-Daban is the backbone, which is the administrative boundary between these regions.

General information

The name of the ridge comes from the Buryat language: "hamar" - "nose", "daban" - "mountain pass", "saddle". Sometimes the "hamar" is translated as "pine nuts", in this case the name sounds like "Walnut Pass". In the beginning, this name belonged to a small mountain threshold, which separated the plains Slyudyanskaya, Kultuchnuyu and narrow rocky cape, as if cutting into Baikal. In ancient times sacrifices were held here. It was named in the Buryat language Aikh-Shulun, which in translation means "terrible stone". Today he is better known as Shamansky. Much later, the name Khamar-Daban received the whole mountain chain from the Tunkinskaya depression in the east and to the valley of the Selenga River.

This chain has the shape of an arc that borders the basin of Lake Baikal. It consists of several large mountain ranges characterized by the presence of rounded peaks and the absence of a pronounced crest. From the northern side, it abruptly cuts off to Lake Baikal. In the south, the depression is more gradual - the ridge passes into the Lesser Khabar-Daban and the Selenga middle mountains.

Higher points of the ridge

Mount Khan-Ula (2371 m) sounds like a "king mountain" and is considered the highest point of the massif. Slightly inferior to it is Sohor - "motley" (2316 m), as well as the famous Peak of Chersky (2090 m) among travelers. For quite a long time, it was considered the highest point of the ridge and bore the same name.

Origin

Hamar-Daban is formed by ancient rocks of the Archean, Proterozoic (shales, gneisses, limestones). In addition, it includes volcanic and igneous rocks (granitoids). There are also modern tectonic uplifts (mudslides, water erosion, landslides, landslides). In the highlands you can see traces of Quaternary glaciation.

Climatic conditions

Due to the presence of high mountains and a fairly extensive water area, the climatic features of the Khamar-Daban Ridge were formed, the photo of which you see in this article. In these places, as in the entire southern Baikal region, precipitation falls throughout the year. In the highlands, this figure reaches 2000 mm per year. On the slopes the snow cover is from 80 to 120 cm.

In winter, the average temperature is -17-18 degrees, but often it can drop to -35 degrees. In summer the average temperature is +15. In August, early snowfall is possible, and a stable cover appears at the end of September and remains until April-May.

Vegetation

On Khamar-Daban, vegetation is strictly divided into high-altitude belts. Up to 1500-2000 meters mainly grow fir-cedar, fir-cedar forests with small interspersed with deciduous trees. On the upper border of the forest grows cedar.

From 1,550 to 1,700 meters (a podgoltsovy belt), fir-cedar woodlands prevail, thickets of bushes (heath, golden rhododendron, cedar stlanik).

At an altitude above 1700 meters - mountain tundra with lichens and moss.

Animal world

The diverse natural landscape of the massif allows many species of animals and birds to feel comfortable in this area. In the forests there are deer, elk, reindeer, wild boar, lynx, brown bear, sable, wolverine and other animals. In addition, there are many diverse birds.

Lake Heart on Khamar-Daban

This picturesque lake is in the high mountains of the massif, in the gorge near the Peak of Chersky. It is with him that the unique view of Lake Heart opens. From here you can clearly see where his name came from. The lake is small, around the perimeter it can be bypassed in fifteen minutes. It looks remarkably beautiful from afar and does not disappoint travelers who come closer to it. The water in the lake is bright emerald color, and the mountains and the sky reflected in it complete the magnificent picture. In July, the shores of the lake are covered with bright green grass and various flowers.

By the end of August - beginning of September, they completely disappear, in their place there appear no less spectacular orange, yellow, green leaves of badan and other beautiful herbs.

In the middle of September, you can see snow spots here, and by the end of the month the snow is already on the banks constantly.

Trekking to Hamar-Daban

Just want to warn you that any climb requires physical training and certain skills. In addition, it is necessary to know everyone who intends to go on a hike to Khamar-Daban - the map of the region should be for each participant of the expedition. Today we will present you a simple five-day walking tour. His scheme is as follows: Kultuk - Komarinsky Range - Lake Heart - Chersky Peak - Chertovo Lake - Slyudyanka River - Kultuk.

Komarinsky Range is a part of Khamar-Daban. The highest point of it is Chersky Peak. There are two observation platforms from which you can admire the stunning views of the Sayans and Khamar-Daban. Along the ridge is the Mongolian tract of the Starokomar road, which was built in the very beginning of the nineteenth century. After the appearance of the Trans-Siberian railway, the need for a caravan route fell away, and today it is virtually empty.

When you get to the weather station, the path will split in two. One of the new tracks will take you to the peak of Chersky, and the second will run down to the river Podkomarnaya in the gorge.

Especially interesting on this route is the ascent to the Peak of Chersky. On your way, there will be fewer and fewer trees - the kingdom of lichens and mosses begins. The approaches to the summit pass along a rocky and sharp ridge with steep slopes. And below it - bottomless gorges.

In one of them is Lake Heart, from which flows a small river Mangutayka. At the peak of Chersky there is practically no vegetation. Even in the summer months it is snowed in shaded places. From its top opens a magnificent panorama.

The Podkomarnaya River has many rapids and waterfalls. They are all original in shape and organically fit into the natural landscape. The path continues to climb up and leads you to the Devil's Gate, which connects the valleys of the rivers of Truskova and Podkomarnaya.

Devil's Lake

Represents the exact opposite of Lake Heart. It is located not in the basin, but on a raised platform. It is shallow - no more than two or three meters. It is almost completely covered with algae, which create an original pattern on the water. Only in the north-east of the lake there is a small patch of rocky shore. Here you can swim - despite the fact that it is at a considerable height - 1730 meters, the water warms up in it quite strongly.

From the weather station the trail goes to the Cossack glade. It is quite a large and quite level platform on the slope of the mountain. Its right side is completely swamped, and the left side is completely dry. This meadow is very beautiful, especially in July, thanks to the numerous flowers here growing. The return route of this route passes along the gorge of the Slyudyanka River. Crossing from one bank to another will give your trip an unforgettable color. Magnificent pictures of mountain ranges of the Khamar-Daban ridge, crystal clear air of coniferous forests, evenings around the fire, will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time.