As a famous poet used to say: “the only mountains that can be better than mountains are mountains that you have not yet visited.” Long hiking trips and conquering the peaks is a task that not everyone can do, and yet thousands of brave and patient people annually go to the Crimea, the Caucasus and Altai to see the pristine and harsh beauty.
One of the most beautiful places in our country and Karachay-Cherkessia is the mountainous region of Uzunkol. Alpine camp, which has a similar name, is located, one might say, at its foot. It is dangerous and completely frivolous to go to the mountains without professional accompaniment and basic training. Therefore, if you want to devote your vacation to an interesting hike and living in the most beautiful nature, then pay attention to this alpine camp.
Information about the location of the camp
The stage of development of the mountains by tourists and, in fact, the Uzunkol alpine camp itself takesstarted in 1936, when the routes to the peaks of Gvandru and Talychat were first mastered. From the point of view of mountaineering, the Main Caucasian Range is the most interesting.
The mountainous region of Uzunkol is located in Karachay-Cherkessia and translated from the local dialect means "long gorge". In the east, its borders reach the regions of the Elbrus region, and in the west there is the Dautsky reserve, and behind it - Dombai. The highest point is Gwandra (height above sea level - 3984 m).
Shifts and trips
Check at the base takes place in three shifts, and the duration of each is 20 days. The beginning of the tourist season in 2016 opens on the first of July. It should be remembered that persons over the age of 16 are allowed to participate in this program. The purchase of a mountaineering ticket worth 35,000 rubles gives the right to accommodation on the territory of the base in six-bed rooms and includes meals in the dining room, and dry rations are provided in field conditions. The minimum number of people in one shift is 6, and it is advisable to apply in advance.
Besides this, the Uzunkol alpine camp organizes educational training for obtaining the badge "Alpinist of Russia" with the subsequent assignment of the third sports category. The instructor's services are also included in the price, but special shoes must be purchased independently. The educational process requires preliminary technical training: you need to have hiking accessories (equipment, waterproof warm clothes, sunglasses). Don't forget aboutthat it is possible to cross the border zone. For this, a pass is specially issued (citizens of the Russian Federation within a month, and foreigners will have to wait twice as long).
Accommodation prices
Note that Uzunkol is an alpine camp with fairly affordable prices for accommodation and meals. Accommodation of tourists is possible with the involvement of three options. The most budgetary of them are tents on the territory of the camp. A fee of 270 rubles is charged per person per day, and the days of actual absence (stay in the mountains) are also paid. The price includes the use of a hot shower. Tents can be personal or rented.
Accommodation in cottages will cost a little more: the price directly depends on how many people the room is designed for. So, a 6-bed room involves a fee of 500 rubles per day, and a double room - 620. The most expensive accommodation option is in guest houses. Cost - 1400 rubles per day per guest.
Alpine camp "Uzunkol": how to get there?
You can also get to the place in several ways, it all depends on which transport was initially chosen. The camp administration offers the following routes. First, by rail to the cities of Cherkessk or Nevinnomyssk. Then to the village of Khurzuk, and from it - directly to the camp up the gorge, using a country road. Keep in mind that at the border post you will be asked to show a pass.
Secondly, you can get from Mineralnye Vody. From the airport, you or the whole group can be picked up by a special transfer, which the alpine camp hasUzunkol.
About 20 people can fit in a PAZ bus, 8-10 in a Gazelle, and 2-3 in a car. The cost of the transfer is 16,500, 11,500, 6500 rubles, respectively. Prices will be slightly lower if the departure point is Cherkessk or Nevinnomyssk.
Uzunkol (alpine camp), routes
This is a place where you can always choose a hiking route depending on your physical fitness, level of special knowledge and your own wishes. The administration is always ready to offer several options to choose from. Climbing routes to the tops of the region are offered from the first to the sixth category of difficulty. For those who wish, training is provided under the program of initial and sports improvement, but for ordinary tourists and vacationers - those who are interested in beautiful nature and clean mountain air, the camp offers exciting trips.
Border pass
If you are planning a trip to the mountains and have chosen the Uzunkol alpine camp for this, then do not forget about the preliminary registration of a pass through the border zone. The administration of the sports center offers to apply on the official website, which is certainly very convenient. A certain period is allotted for consideration of documents (personal or collective). For Russians, it is equal to one month, for foreigners - two. You can also use sample individual and collective applications for tourist groups.
To everyone who is interested in reviews and information about the Uzunkol alpine campLivejournal will definitely help. It contains real stories of travelers, tourists and professional climbers. They will tell you about how to avoid mistakes, what to take on a trip in the first place, what to look for and many other useful little things.
