UKC

A non mountaineering friend posted some facebook photos from the Altai mountains this week, and they look stunning. She stayed low and visited some lakes etc, but I was wondering if anyone knows what the mountaineering is like? I have found information so far to say that there is mountaineering, but not yet found guide books, route suggestions etc. I would love to hear stories of anyone who has been. I might quite fancy it as a summer holiday in 2016...

In reply to girlymonkey:

No one? I know there are a couple of Russianists on here, but I guess it's a less travelled place.

In reply to girlymonkey:

I was mountaineering in the Mongolian part of the Altai mountains last year, on the border with Russia. Superb area with lots of exploration potential. Other than on shared mountain summits, I didn't get into the Russian part of the Altai, which look brilliant too. Here's a link to my video :
youtube.com/watch?v=rzMUAuw9KLs&

In reply to girlymonkey:
It may be a problem to find info in English about the area. And English is not spoken in Altai. Said so I would strongly suggest to get a Russian speaking party member.

I have spent some time in Altai cross country skiing during my hi school and uni days (1997 - 2004). It was absolutely gorgeous. But would be difficult without state support. Where are not a lot of roads, not a lot of infrastructure. Most of the time to get to the start of the route we would travel on military vehicles which uni or school would sort out for us.

Said so in Soviet Union and now in Russia a lot of hiking, ski and mountaineering is manged by the state via public education. Most of Unis have mountaineering groups and knowledge is shared between those. People stay connected and organize expeditions even after graduating with support of the uni. That's why where is not a lot of guide books. It's a different approach.

Recently more and more people go on their own. Information is gathered and can be found online. But it will be in Russian.

However nowadays where are companies and guides who could take you anywhere in Russia (but some areas require permits). For example British holiday provider is selling one: https://www.adventurepeaks.com/shop/mt-belukha/

In reply to nutme:

I am a Russian speaker, and have lived in Chita and Voronezh in the past, so information in Russian would be great.

I'm not keen on getting a guide if we can avoid it, I guide groups in the Scottish mountains and I don't think I would be very good at being guided!! I like to make the decisions!

I can probably sort transport, we have a friend in Moscow who is likely to want to join us and he has a car.

It's really guide books, suggestions of the best areas to base ourselves, and recommendations of favourite routes. (Walking or climbing, open to all suggestions).

Where are your from, Nutme?

In reply to Mark123:

Looks great! How easy was it to get to the Mongolian side?

In reply to girlymonkey:

I've had Russian friends who've been there and I've seen photos. It's breathtakingly stunning; I'd love to go there, but I don't know anything about the mountain climbing. IIRC they went rafting there.

In reply to girlymonkey:

If you message me with your email address I'll send some info, can't attach to UKC email.

In reply to girlymonkey:
Jagged Globe have been doing it for years. I went in summer 2008. Ranks as my greatest travel experience ever. Sat on a morraine through a full eclipse was one of many highlights.

http://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/news/item.php?id=1653

The local agent in Ulan Batur was an ozzie and he was big into MTB - ideal terrain. But sorry, can't remember his name.

Access is simple as Mongolia is a totally open country

In reply to Batcloud:

Just read your profile - we failed Kuitchen too, but the experience made up for it.

In reply to girlymonkey:
I am from north west Russia. Altai was far for me and I have been where just few times. Plus I am more of skier than mountaineer, so I am not the one to suggest a route. My home mountains are Ural.

All I found in English which is more or less reasonable is this:
http://dontmind.freeshell.org/trekking/altai/

As a starting point you could read (or ask friend from Moscow to translate it):
http://www.mountain.ru/world_mounts/altai/

Some logs are just bullshit, but where are ones with a lot of descriptions, maps, GPX files of actual expeditions:
http://www.mountain.ru/article/article_display1.php?article_id=6370
http://www.mountain.ru/article/article_display1.php?article_id=4414

Mountain Belukha is the most popular. So it may be a good choice because you will probably find more info about it.
http://www.summitpost.org/belukha-uch-sumer/153992


Btw, Altai is now a borderzone:

If traveling independently without using an agency, since 2008 it is required to apply for a special border zone permit in order to be allowed into the area. Foreigners should apply for the permit to regional FSB border guard office two months before the planned date.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/europe-eastern-europe-the-cau...

I wish you all the best luck with traveling and exploring Russian mountains, but even as a Russian I don't go where anymore.

In reply to girlymonkey:

I agree that buying a tour won't be as fun and enjoyable as doing it yourself. Altai is amazing place to go.

In reply to girlymonkey:

I went on a walking trip there in 2003. I just flew to Barnaul, met a couple on the plane and travelled in with them. It was a full day in taxis and buses to the roadhead, where we hired horses. From there another two days to a base camp for Belukha, there was a big group there from Yekaterineburg which we joined for day treks and general messing about.

I had no food with me (meant to stop and buy it but the opportunity never arose), no map, no guide and I don't speak Russian. Had a fabulous time.

In reply to seankenny:

Sounds like great adventures!

In reply to nutme:

Great, thanks. I will have a look through those links.

I speak good Russian (currently doing an MSc in translation!), so information in Russian would be great too. Sometimes I trust the information in Russian more than that in English. Russians often think foreigners would only want to take the luxury option, or need looked after somehow, so information in English sometimes doesn't give the full picture. (I always laugh at peoples reactions to me travelling platzkartnie on the trains, they don't get why I wouldn't pay more for more luxury travel!)

In reply to girlymonkey:
Go with a Russian company (e.g. 7 summits club). Much cheaper than an English company and possibly better organised. Jagged Globe might be OK but I wouldn't recommend Adventure Peaks - I was very dissatisfied with them in Kyrgyzstan a couple of years ago and the Kazakh-organised trip being run concurrently looked way better.

Anyone know about tick borne encephalitis on the approach to Belukha? It sounds like quite a risk and the recommendation is to get vaccinated, which costs £65 per shot, of which you need three. What a pain. There seems to be some tick proof clothing which you can buy know which might be an alternative, I don't know.