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2007. KARAKOL VALLEY.
July 2007. Kirgizia (Kyrgyzstan). Trekking in Karakol valley.

July 2007. Kirgizia (Kyrgyzstan). Trekking in Karakol valley.

Starting from 2006 we were gathering for the trip to Kirgizia (Kyrgyzstan) for trying to climb at some beautiful summits of Karakol Valley (Tien-Shan) near Issyk-Kul Lake.

Initially this idea appeared in the mind of Quentin, the crazy Belgium guy, who decided to take a bike trip over the huge distance starting from Aral Sea in Kazakhstan to Tibet in China crossing the wild mountains of Kyrgyzstan on the way.

He contacted me (because he is a friend of my good friends with whom we had an unforgettable trip to Altai in Siberia in 2004) and I suggested him a few variants for the routes in Karakol, Ak-Suu and Djety-Oguz valleys. Quentin also invited three friends of him to join to this adventure.

In 6th of July everybody was in Karakol. Quentin arrived by bike, his friends had a flight from Brussels to Bishkek via Moscow and I had a train from Novosibirsk to Almaty and then taxi to Karakol. We had a first meeting at the base of Turkestan Company where guys were staying for the days when they were off the mountains.

The full list of our group was:
1. Quentin Moreau - BE
2. Gregoire de Hemptinne - BE
3. Erwin Frets - BE
4. Valerie Dupont - BE
5. Christine - FR (this girl joined us after Quentin met her in Bishkek)
6. Sergey (me) - RU

After we bought all necessary food for the trekking we started our way to Karakol valley area in 8th of July. Our trekking lasted seven days and we spent this week with great pleasure in spite of the cloudy, rainy and snowy weather for the most of the days. "Thanks" to this weather we couldn't reach our summits (Prjevalsky Peak 4271m and Djigit Peak 5173m), but we have got a lot of positive emotions, wonderful views of surrounding mountains and pleasant evening-morning friendly chats around the campfire with tea and coffee.

There are pictures from this trekking below. Every photo should have the comprehensible comments so you can feel that situation it was taken. We've visited the following places in Karakol valley: "Sirota" refuge (2800m), Terimtor or Terim-Tor pass (4000m), Uyuntor or Uu-Tor valley, Karakol glacier. The summits which unfortunately we could only observe: peaks Przhevalsky, Ayu-Tor, 30 years of L.Y.C.L.S.U. (means Leninist Young Communist League of the Soviet Union), Djigit, peak Karakol 5216m(the highest point of Terskey Ala-Too range).

Up

River went to the right creating a roaring stream leaving a swamp just on our way. So guys were obliged to jump from one hillock to other to reach the good trail.
Crossing the swamp. 		After crossing a valley with river and swamp Greg reached the trail and we sat together to wait for other members of the group.
Greg escaped the swamp. 		We met marmot on the way back going down by Karakol Valley. These animals are living almost everywhere in Karakol valley and other canyons of Tien-Shan at altitude higher than 2500-3000m above the sea level. Marmots are members of the genus Marmota, in the rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels). We met, I guess, the Menzbier's Marmot (Marmota menzbieri). Area of this mutmots is in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Its natural habitat is temperate grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Marmot among the stones of Karakol valley. 		On the next rest pause Erwin climbed the next rock of Karakol Valley.
Erwin is climbing on the next rock.
Almost all stones and rocks of Karakol valley are covered with lichens of different colours. At photo, I guess, is crustose lichens.
Lichen on the stone 		I am standing near the next rock that guys decided to climb in Karakol valley. I still had some pain in fingers' skin and was just watching for their climbimgs. I found a shepherd's stick just near the glacier and decided to present it to Christine - more about it later...
Me, shepherd's stick and Karakol valley. 		Such a picture was taken when I was sitting and watching for guys climbings at our next halt. Sergey, Peak Karakol, Uyuntor valley, stone and lichens.
Me, Peak Karakol, stone and lichens. 		River Uyuntor flowing from Karakol glacier is crossing a morain wall. It's not a Karakol river yet. Ontor river, 5-6 km further down, will join this one and new river 'Karakol' is starting from that junction.
Uyuntor river.
Karakol valley. The place where the stream flowing from Telety pass is joining Uyuntor river.
Karakol valley in the area of Telety. 		Having a rest under the rock, Erwin and Greg, as ususal decided to climb this rock. Remarkable that 11 years ago the same route was done by our common friend - Jean-Claude Legros.
Next climbing of Erwin. 		After some time after first climbing on the rock, Erwin found a brand new route to the summit.
Erwin is trying new route. 		Quentin has a book 'Flap-Flap' written by our common friend Jean-Claude. At photo: Quentin and Christine trying to read this book while other guys trying to have some rest or climb at the rock.
Quentin and Christine read the book FLAP-FLAP
Meanwhile the weather was changing. Storm and rain came suddenly and we decided to stay under the roof of rock while it was rainy.
Under the roof of rock. 		We met a big camp in the place of junction of Ontor and Uyuntor rivers. Seemed to me it was a russian camp and tourists.
Camp of somebody in Karakol valley 		Christine and Quentin appeared far off going along the river Karakol.
Watershed range and swamps 		Local horses (some kyrgyz breed) are grazing on the other side of Karakol river.
Kyrgyz horses in Karakol valley.
Christine used to work as a shepherd some time ago in France. I have found some shepherd's stick not far from the glacier and jokingly presented it to her. And she accepted this joke and took this stick with her to Bishkek going to bring it further if possible.
Christine and caws in Karakol valley. 		Quentin and Christine at the last camp place (Zangi valley) in the evening of 13th of July.
Sweet couple. 		As usual we set our tents, made a fire and started to cook evening dinner (Greg and me at the photo). It's our last overnight in Karakol valley.
Karakol valley. Zangi. Evening cooking. 		Our last camp in Karakol valley was not far from valley's exit. We set the tents in Zangi valley. The water here is considered to be the cleanest in this area. At photo: Greg and Erwin Are shaking off the tent in the morning.
Zangi valley. Morning.
After breakfast we started our last way to Karakol town down by valley. Christine kept her shepherd's stick I presented her, and that was funny she was going to take it with her further. At the picture you can see the shepherd's house. Last evening we met owners of it and had a good talkings. They were very friendly and gave us tasteful 'airan' (special sour milk, like kefir) and fresh bread.
Morning start to Karakol from last camp. 		Before leaving Karakol valley we crossed the last bridge over Karakol river. Soon we should reach the bus stop.
Bridge over Karakol river.
Me and Greg are going down. Kashka-Suu and ski-base Karakol are behind us. 		Our last halt was just before the Karakol valley exit near local forestry (first houses are already visible ahead).
Karakol valley exit. Forestry.
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