Belukha is the three-headed sacred mountain of Altai. Beluga mountain in Altai Altai next to the Beluga mountain
Location
Mount Belukha (alt. Uch-Sumer - Three-headed, Kadyn-Bazhy - Top of the Katun) is the highest point of the Altai Mountains (4506 m), crowning the Katunsky ridge. It is located in the north-east of East Kazakhstan on the border of Kazakhstan and Russia (Ust-Koksinsky district of the Altai Republic). The name of the mountain comes from the abundant snow that covers the mountain from top to bottom.
Geographic data
Relief
Belukha .... This mountain has many names: Russians dubbed the mountain Belukha for the abundance of snow cover. Altaians called it "Uch-Sumer" - Three-headed, "Ak-Sumer" - White Head, "Katyn-Bashi" - Top of the Katun and "Ak-Su-Ryu" - White Water. The Kirghiz of the Southern Altai called Belukha "Mouss-Du-Tau" - Ice Mountain.
Belukha is the highest point of the Altai Mountains (4506 m), crowning the Katunsky ridge. Geographically, the mountain is located on the territory of the Ust-Koksinsky district, where the largest river of Altai, the Katun, originates. The top of Mount Belukha is represented by two peaks in the form of irregular pyramids - Eastern Belukha (4506 meters) and Western Belukha (4435 meters), almost vertically falling to the north to the Akkemsky glacier and gradually descending to the south, towards the Katunsky glacier. The depression between the peaks, called the “Belukha Saddle” (4000 meters), also abruptly breaks off to the north to the Akkem glacier (another name is the Akkem wall) and more gently descends to the south to the Katun River.
Despite the fact that Mount Belukha is relatively low, it is still considered harsh and inaccessible, which is explained by the harsh climate of Belukha: it is always cold here, a piercing wind blows, the rocks are almost everywhere covered with thin glacial glaze all year round, and the Belukha region itself is located on border of zones of 7-8 magnitude seismic activity, in connection with which micro-earthquakes are very frequent here, the consequences of which are the breaking of the ice shell, avalanches and avalanches.
The most difficult is the route of ascent from the north along the Akkem wall - a steep section of the northern side of Belukha between the eastern and western peaks.
Belukha is surrounded by glaciers on all sides. The Akkemsky glacier descends from the north (other names are the Akkem wall, or the Rodzevich glacier), from the northeast lies the Sapozhnikov glacier (Iedygemsky glacier). From the southwest there are the Gebeler glaciers (Katunsky glacier) and the Small Berelsky, from the south the big Berelsky and Black glaciers, and from the west - the stepped icefall of the Brothers Tronovy glacier (Kucherlinsky glacier). All glaciers are large, from 2 to 10 square kilometers. Many of them descend below the edge of the forest, so that the path to the top passes through ice and snow. The total area of the Belukhinsk glaciers is 70 square kilometers. They give rise to the Katun River and its tributaries. There are also lakes in the Belukha region, the largest of them are Akkemskoye and Kucherlinskoye lakes.
Belukha is also the highest peak of the Katunsky ridge of the Central Altai. The main watershed of the ridge is raised in the eastern part and forms a peak with a snow-white crown at the junction of three spurs. Remote at the same distance from the three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian, it turned out to be the central-apex node of the giant continent of Eurasia.Belukha is the main peak of the Central Asian continent. Only along the periphery of this vast continental region do giant mountain ranges and peaks rise, formed by Paleozoic and young Alpine folding. In the inland region of Russia, Belukha has no equal in absolute height, only in the Pacific belt of mountains its height is surpassed by Klyuchevskaya Sopka in Kamchatka (4750 m).
The Paleogene uplift was reflected in the nature of the relief - it is everywhere high-mountainous, typically alpine, with deep gorges, vertical alpine ridges rise up to 2500 m above them. Large areas of the massif are occupied by rocks, talus and moraines. The slopes are subject to the destructive effects of mudflows and avalanches. Belukha is a museum of a wide variety of geomorphological processes and landforms.
Erosive and accumulative landforms are widely represented in the Belukha region:
- punishments (huge circus-shaped depressions);
- troughs (trough-shaped valleys processed by a glacier);
- carlings (mountain peaks of a pyramidal shape);
- mutton foreheads (bedrock, smoothed and polished by a glacier)
- terraces, moraines (clastic material of rocks falling on the glacier and carried by glaciers to its tongue)
- fluvioglacial deposits, water-glacial deposits.
Belukha is surrounded by glaciers on all sides: the Akkemsky (Rodzevicha) glacier descends from the north, and the Sapozhnikov (Iedygemsky) glacier, the largest of Belukha's satellites, lies from the northeast. From the southwest there are the Gebeler (Katunsky) and Small Berelsky glaciers, from the south the big Berelsky and Cherny, and from the west - the stepped icefall of the Brothers Tronovy (Kucherlinsky) glacier. All glaciers are large, from 2 to 10 sq. km. Many of them descend below the edge of the forest, so that the path to the top passes through ice and snow. The total area of Belukhin glaciers is 70 sq. km. They give rise to the Katun River and its tributaries.
On the slopes of the Belukha massif and in the valleys, 169 glaciers are known, with a total area of 150 square kilometers, Mount Belukha bears almost 50% of the glaciers of the Katunsky ridge, which is over 60% of its glaciation area. By the number of glaciers and glaciation, Belukha takes first place on the Katunsky ridge. Belukha is also the highest peak of the Katunsky ridge of the Central Altai. The main watershed of the ridge is raised in the eastern part and forms a peak with a snow-white crown at the junction of three spurs. On the slopes - at the headwaters of the Katun River, its channels and the Berel Belaya River - there are numerous glaciers (Mensu, Katunsky, Berelsky), the total area of which is 70 square meters. km. The natural zone of the mountain is very diverse: the lower slopes are steppe and forest zones, higher - subalpine and alpine meadows, rocks, talus, glaciers.
The first managed to analyze the origin of the name of the mountain V.V. Sapozhnikov. The researcher himself interprets its name by the abundance of snow cover on the groans of the peak, hence - Belukha. Other names were given by the ancient Turks: Kadyn-Bazhi (top of Katun), Ak-Suru (majestic), Musdutuu (ice mountain), Uch-Ayry (mountain with three branches). All of them do not contradict the face of the mountain and correctly reflect its physical and geographical features.
The climate of the Belukha region is severe with long cold winters and short summers with rains and snowfalls. It changes, in accordance with the altitudinal tonality, from the climate of the valleys - at the foot of the summit to the climate of high snows and glaciers. Instrumental observations are carried out by two stations - Akkem and Karatyurek, located respectively at absolute heights of 2050 and 2600m. Near the Gebler glacier, on the southern slope of Belukha, the Katun meteorological station used to work. The average temperature in July in the valleys at the upper border of the forest is 8.3 degrees C (Akkem), and on plateau-like peaks 6.3 degrees C (Karatyurek). In summer, on the top of Belukha, frosts down to -20 degrees C are not rare.
In winter, negative air temperatures are observed in January down to -21 2 degrees C and remain low even in March down to -4 degrees C. Temperature inversions are widespread. According to A.M. Komlev and Yu.V. Titova, the norm of annual precipitation for Akkem and Karatyurek stations is 512-533 mm. Solid precipitation falls at an altitude of 3000-3200 m, and their annual value is 35-50 percent of the total. In the nival-glacial zone of Belukha, more than 1000 mm of precipitation falls annually. Mountain-valley winds and foehns are common here.
. Tien Shan species of animals live here: argali, mountain goat, among birds - white and tundra partridge. Of the passerines live: chough, alpine jackdaw, Himalayan hawker. The Siberian mountain finches and the exotic juniper grosbeak are much less common. Of the species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Altai, there are large lentils, golden eagle, Altai snowcock.
. From small mammals on stony placers and dwarf dwarf birches are common: tundra shrew, red-gray, red-backed and big-eared voles. Altai mouse and zokor inhabit the sources of the Katun River, along its right bank.
The first to mention Mount Belukha in his travel notes, dating back to 1793, was the traveler P. Shangin. Lush, like Siberian fur coats, snowy robes on the graceful shoulders of Belukha made an indelible impression on him. Altai Mountain Belukha gained worldwide fame after in 1923 the Russian artist and philosopher N.K. Roerich announced his intention to build on its ledge, at an altitude of 2000 meters, the Temple, which was to become the sacred center of the world; on its top - to create a "Meeting Place", and at the foot - the City of its like-minded people.
Geology The Belukha mountain range is composed of Middle and Upper Cambrian rocks. Many spurs of the massif are outcrops of sandstones and shales. Will spread conglomerates less. Part of the massif is composed of typical flysch-like formations. Faults, cracks and thrusts of rocks testify to the tectonic instability of the territory of Belukha. Steep, almost sheer slip zones are characteristic of the northern slope of Belukha, especially from the side of the river valley. Akkem.
The Belukha region is located on the border of zones of 7-8 magnitude seismic activity. Micro-earthquakes are very frequent here. Their consequences are the breaking of the ice shell, the descent of avalanches and landslides. Since the Paleogene, the territory has experienced intense tectonic uplift, which continues to this day.
The formation of the Belukhinsky horst (uplifted parts of the earth's crust) dates back to the early Quaternary time (1.5 million years ago).
Climate
The climate of the Belukha region is severe with long cold winters and short summers with rains and snowfalls. It changes, in accordance with the altitudinal tonality, from the climate of the valleys - at the foot of the summit to the climate of high snows and glaciers. The average temperature in July in the valleys at the upper border of the forest is 8.3 degrees C (Akkem), and on plateau-like peaks 6.3 degrees C (Karatyurek). In summer, on the top of Belukha, frosts down to -20 degrees C are not rare. In winter, negative air temperatures are observed in January up to -21 2 degrees C and remain low even in March to -4 degrees.
Water resources
The Belukha Rivers belong mainly to the basin of the Katun River, which flows from the southern slope of the Gebler Glacier. The rivers Kucherla, Akkem, Idygem also originate here. Water streams born near the Belukha glaciers form a special Altai type of rivers. The melt waters of glaciers and snows take part in the feeding of the rivers, rainfall is of little importance.The rivers are characterized by maximum flow in summer and low in the rest of the year. Rivers are fast-flowing, often forming waterfalls.
The lakes in the area of Mount Belukha lie in deep kars and trough valleys. Their origin is associated with the activity of ancient glaciers. Large lakes - Big Kucherlinskoe, Lower Akkemskoe, etc.
Flora and fauna
For the Belukhinsky massif, as for any mountainous country, the diversity of vegetation is characteristic. According to many researchers, the main part of the ridge belongs to the Katun high-mountain region, where a wide variety of forest and high-mountain formations is noted: the lower slopes are steppe and forest zones, higher - subalpine and alpine meadows, rocks, talus, glaciers.
In the upper reaches of the Katun and Koksu rivers, dark coniferous forests predominate, with a predominance of Siberian spruce, cedar, and Siberian fir. Larch and hardwoods are common: birch, mountain ash. Shrubs are represented by meadowsweet, honeysuckle, caragana. With height, the role of cedar increases significantly; among shrubs and shrubs, honeysuckle and lingonberries begin to predominate.
In the upper part of the forest belt, round-leaved birch appears from shrubs; from herbs - subalpine and alpine forbs. Currants and raspberries are also common here.
From small mammals on stony placers and dwarf dwarf birches are common: tundra shrew, red-gray, red-backed and big-eared voles. Altai mouse and zokor inhabit the sources of the Katun River, along its right bank. Lynx, snow leopard, and from ungulates: Siberian mountain goat occasionally come here.
Birds are much more diverse. From hunting and fishing: white and tundra partridge. Of the passerines live: chough, alpine jackdaw, Himalayan hawker. The Siberian mountain finches and the exotic juniper grosbeak are much less common. Of the species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Altai, there are large lentils, golden eagle, Altai snowcock.
History of the place
The first managed to analyze the origin of the name of the mountain V.V. Sapozhnikov. The researcher himself interprets its name by the abundance of snow cover on the groans of the peak, hence - Belukha. Other names were given by the ancient Turks: Kadyn-Bazhi (top of Katun), Ak-Suru (majestic), Musdutuu (ice mountain), Uch-Ayry (mountain with three branches). All of them do not contradict the face of the mountain and correctly reflect its physical and geographical features.The first to mention Mount Belukha in his travel notes, dating back to 1793, was the traveler P. Shangin. Lush, like Siberian fur coats, snowy robes on the graceful shoulders of Belukha also made an indelible impression on him.
In the first half of the XIX century. traveler Friedrich Gebler discovered here, at the source of the Katun, the first Altai glaciers. One of them is named after him. Gebler made another discovery: he established that the Belukh peaks are the highest point of Altai. Later, the height of Belukha was determined at 4506 meters above sea level.
Well, the first ascent of Belukha was made in 1914 by the Tronov brothers, after whom one of the large glaciers located above Kucherlinskoye Lake is also named today.
Altai gained worldwide fame after, in 1923, the Russian artist and philosopher N.K. Roerich announced his intention to build on its ledge, at an altitude of 2000 meters, the Temple, which was to become the sacred center of the world; at its top - to create a "Meeting Place", and at the foot - the City of its like-minded people.
Belukha has long been considered sacred. They also considered her a refuge for formidable forces and were afraid to even look at her. There was a belief that the evil spirit Erlik lives in its icy halls and caves, which will punish anyone who dares to climb the slopes of Belukha: avalanches, rockfalls, landslides. It was said that anyone who dared to climb Belukha would lose his sight. Much of this now has an explanation. So, for example, the first daredevils who tried to climb glaciers and snowfields without dark glasses really went blind from the scorching reflected light.
The beluga whale has long been shrouded in a halo of myths, secrets, and legends. Many believe that somewhere there is hidden the mysterious Shambhala, a paradise that will come after the disappearance of people.
Umai, the goddess of the Turks, lives on Belukha. From here the great Buddha - Gautama came to India. The Old Believers believe that somewhere nearby is the happy country of Belovodie, which not everyone can get into.
According to other beliefs, there is an energy bridge from Belukha right to Everest. Here is the center of the Earth, energetically connected with the Cosmos.
Indigenous Altaians do not come close to their shrine. In general, the cult of mountains is very developed in Asia - one should approach the sacred or revered peak with humility in the heart, with pure thoughts.
But even now, many believe that Belukha is a place energetically connected with the Cosmos. They are confident that this "navel" of the Earth (so called Belukha because it is equally removed from the three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian) can give people a charge of vivacity and health.
Belukha is far from the highest mountain in the world, however, it is among the first in terms of danger. The glaciers go down so low that almost the entire way to the top passes exclusively through ice and snow. There is only one relatively easy route to the top of Belukha - along the Gebler glacier, all the rest require high mountaineering training. On the slopes of the summit you can meet with snow piles, and with loose snow, and with formidable avalanches. The beluga whale is rarely open, it is usually wrapped in clouds, and even on clear windless days you can see how snow flags of the most bizarre shapes form on its peaks. Bearing in mind this property of hers, the Altaians say: "Belukha is a woman, beautiful and inaccessible, ... and therefore fabulously attractive." Not only the weather changes every minute, but also the relief. There are constant icefalls and rockfalls. Belukha has unique natural features that put a relatively low peak on a par with the greatest peaks of the Pamirs and Tien Shan. Suffice it to say that the peak of Communism, being almost 3000 m higher than Belukha, rises above the line of eternal snows only 1000 m more than the Altai peak.
Characteristics of the Place of Power
Psycho-emotional influence of the Beluga whale
The influence of this mountain on human thinking is distinct and noticeable even at a distance. This influence spreads through the human community like circles on the water. It is invisible to the eye, but is felt at the moment when we begin to think about Belukha or learn something about her.
The mountain is notable for its absolute scale of impact on the nature of Altai, Russian Siberia, Northern Kazakhstan.
Beluga energy consists of several stable sensations characteristic of this mountain, transmitted through non-verbal channels. First of all, this is a feeling of highlands. This is a special state of consciousness that clarifies thinking, nourishes the hearts of those who live in the lowlands and on the flat terrain with romance. Any high peak affects this way, but Belukha has a special flavor. Due to the fact that this peak is completely covered with glaciers, it exudes harsh beauty and strength.
The generalized perception of Beluga also includes its special form. The mountain range (with this mountain) is located in a semicircle. This semicircle is open to the north. And for most observers, the Belukha Ridge works like a reflective curved mirror directed at the observer. Such an influence creates an energetic overload of the observer's thinking and requires its implementation.
Behind this generalized impression is a vivid state of identification with the mountain itself. It was introduced by those who climbed the mountain itself or came as close as possible to its foot. This layer of sensations in the collective consciousness is not immediately detected and carries a distinct emotional strength and clarity of perception. In addition, there is a vectorial orientation of the drain of attention to the north along the course of the Akkem River.
Another important characteristic of Belukha is Lake Akkem located at its foot and a wonderful ecosystem that captured stone screes between the lower glaciers and the beginning of the lake itself. The ecosystem revives Belukha and creates the effect of a living organism that has grown up under its protection. And Lake Akkem calms and sets you up for contemplation.
Well, another factor that strikes and fills living beings with energy is the active movement of air masses around this mountain. Such a lively climate leads to a rapid change in the weather and this contrast, like a charged battery, attracts a huge amount of natural energy to the mountain.
All this could not but have an impact on the mythology of the mountain itself and on its social attractiveness in the future. The social aura that envelops Belukha has stratification and penetration into this stratification is possible only with a personal presence in the aura of the mountain. This layering has a very interesting feature - each surface layer has grown on the previous one, and the deeper you penetrate into this layering, the better you feel the human experience accumulated in this Place of Power, enveloping the mountain with its attention.
Practice and techniques for working with the Place of Power
As a Place of Power, Belukha is serious enough to be used for small things. Such a place is best suited to support a very important, intimate goal. A goal that will benefit not only you, but also other people. A goal that will be beneficial not only to people, but also to other living organisms.
The future of each of us is formed from our past and the social trend that surrounds us. It is very important, when choosing your future, to look for it in yourself, to feel the possibilities of its occurrence outside yourself, and to know how to achieve it. Such a view of the future is constructive and is an excellent rail for channeling the energy that is felt around Belukha.
Beluga whale will make your path creative and promising. It will add to your image of significance and tranquility.
With a more professional approach, the egregorial activity that Belukha has mastered is quite applicable as gasoline for moving towards different goals.
Belukha appears unexpectedly in the gap of dark fir trees, 1000 m above the surrounding mountains, shining in the blue sky with finely defined white edges. An extraordinarily beautiful sight! But Belukha attracts not only with its beauty. Altaians consider Belukha sacred. There is a legend in Altai about the insidious and evil spirit Erlik, who lives in ice chambers and underground caves. He must punish anyone who dares to step even on the slopes of the mountain, in the refuge of formidable forces, manifested in avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, thunderstorms. It was here, in Altai, that for two centuries in a row Russian people were looking for the mysterious Belovodie - a sacred country, a country of happiness and joy. The peaks of Belukha are closest to the sky, so since ancient times the mountain was considered the abode of gods and spirits. According to ancient beliefs, Umai, the goddess of the Turks, lives on Belukha. Belukha is the home of Lightning, Thunder and the Double-Headed Eagle. Lightning - the command of the gods to create life from its very center, a frightening fire can fall on the uninitiated, obsessed with pride, can bring light and enlightenment to a pure heart.
Indigenous Altaians revere this place, and do not disturb it in vain, believing that the mountain poses a threat to those who want to come into contact with it unprepared.
And there is a legend in Altai that once a whole nation went underground in order not to submit to the "white king". The image of Belukha is associated with the arrival of the White Burkhan, with prophecies about a great future. The following prophecy is also connected with Belukha: when Belukha changes its shape, the time will come for a new religion. Altaians call Belukha "Uch-Sumer"(Three peaks). The indigenous people also call it "the mountain that you cannot step on with your feet." One of the peaks of Belukha is called Urusvati. Sahaja Yogis believe that Uch-Sumer is the embodiment of Trigunatmika (three forms of the Great Goddess): Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati.
It is not easy to get to this mountain. You can't drive up to it in a comfortable car. The track leads to a certain place, and then 50 km you have to walk, not everyone will pass, you need to be prepared. A narrow path, narrow gates… On both sides of the path there are two lakes, the distance between them is not more than a meter, one is black, lifeless; the other is blue, transparent, stones are visible at the bottom. It is like an allegory for the Ego and Superego of a person and the narrow passage in the Agnya Chakras that must be crossed in order to move from the mental perception of the world to the spiritual one.
When you pass through the “narrow gates of Agia”, a beautiful panorama opens before you - a huge three-headed peak of sparkling snow and ice.
Energetically, the "feminine principle" is strongly felt here. Altaians call this mountain Kadyn-Bazhy - "Great Shakti" (ie the Great Goddess).
Panorama from the Kara-Turek pass to Belukha, Lake Akkem and Yarla.
On Belukha there is the Akkem wall - a two-kilometer sheer block of ice. Nature has created an image of a Woman standing at full height almost on the entire height of the wall, her hair and dress are fluttering. Not everyone who has been to Belukha sees the Woman, the locals call her the Spirit of the Mountain. The most amazing thing is that every two years she carries a child in her arms.
At the foot of the mountain there is Lake Akkem (tourists call it Mecca, if you read the name backwards). The beautiful mountain is reflected in the clear waters of the lake…
From Belukha originates the main river of Altai - Katun, the Altai name "Kadyn" - "Mistress", "Woman", "Beauty". The Katun changes its colors every season: in winter it is ice-bound; in spring, when it is stormy and full-flowing, when sands and gravel are washed out, it is gray; in summer - white - limestones are washed out at this time. But the most beautiful Katun is in autumn, when it turns emerald green.
Merging with the river Biya (“Biy” - “Lord”), they create the great Siberian river Ob (“Ob” - “calmed down”, “reconciled”). There are many legends and tales about the rivers of Altai.
Having heard all these stories, traditions and legends, it is difficult not to decide to go and bow to the snow-white beauty, or, if you are lucky, see the world from its top. This mountain attracts thousands of people from all over the world. However, it is not easy to see her. From the nearest machine roads to it, you have to walk more than a dozen kilometers along mountain paths, overcome passes. However, nothing stops enthusiasts. The Altaians believe that in the sky above the ridges of the mountains there is the Spirit of Altai with a companion Umai-ene - Mother Umai. In honor of them, Altai people, and now tourists, tie white ribbons on the trees of the passes, because it depends on them whether the path will be safe. The waters of Ak-Kem are milky white. "Ak-Kem" means "white river". On the left, the purple ridges of the Yarlu valley rise with a clearing of edelweiss, on the right, the valley of the Seven Lakes. The unearthly beauty of the sparkling double-headed peak, the amazing change of colors, the proximity of the sky, the twinkling of stars on Ak-Kem and Semiozerie are a reflection of divine beauty on Earth, and at the same time the center in which “two worlds” are connected: Hell and Paradise, darkness and light, death and life. Two black mountains Bronya and Boris, like two guards, are framed on both sides
On the snowy slope you can see a girl - the soul of the Mountain, which creates wind and coolness with the flapping of its wings. On a sunny day, her snow-white clothes, reflecting the sky, acquire a golden glow, giving renewal and hope to everyone who looks at her. At night, together with the stars - snow-white lambs, it is reflected in the depths of the Ak-Kem lake, reminding us that our soul is also formed in the darkness, in the darkness of the underworld. With her dance, the girl offers to connect with the sacred spark inside you and manifest it in the world, as a guide to the kingdom of the soul, she is always with you.
The mandorla, born of the intersection of the two-headed peak and the firmament, warns of the test that awaits anyone who wants to get close to Belukha, conquer it, touch the sacred. Mandorla recalls that in order to grow into earthly reality, it is necessary to meet trials on your way, including all the opposite poles of life: good and evil, love and hate, and to unite all these light and dark aspects.
It is not difficult to get to Mount Belukha, but the path to the shrine of the Golden Mountains - Belukha - is not easy. Keeping clean, for weeks the mountain can be covered with clouds, and avalanches can descend one after another ...
If Belukha accepts you, then perhaps you will be lucky enough to see the eagle dance. This is a sacred dance that will enhance your spiritual aspiration, give you sharp eyesight and the ability to soar in the clouds.
Here is what Sergey Alekseevich Filimonov, master of sports in mountain tourism, the Belarusian "snow leopard" (that is, the one who climbed five seven-thousanders) says about this region: "Altai is different from other regions that I have visited. When I I went on purely sports hikes, Altai attracted with the proximity of the glacier and the forest zone, i.e. you could climb in the ice all day, and in the evening go down to the grass to the fire.
Beluga is one of them. The unusually beautiful mountain attracts not only climbers, but also all connoisseurs of natural beauty. In their shape, the peaks of Mount Belukha resemble two irregular pyramids, between which there is a depression, the height of the latter is quite large - four thousand meters. In terms of height, Mount Belukha is second only to Klyuchevskaya Sopka. The latter is located in Kamchatka.
Where is Mount Belukha located?
The mountain is located in the Altai Republic, more precisely, in the Ust-Koksinsky region. This is the highest peak in Siberia, crowning the Katunsky Belukha is 4509 m. Its massif rises in the center of the Katunsky ridge, almost at the very border of Russia and Kazakhstan, on the border of the main ridge and its three spurs. The coordinates of Mount Belukha are 49 ° 4825 s. sh. and 86°3523 E d.
The two peaks of Belukha, in combination with the peaks of Korona Altai and Delaunay, located on the right and on the left, form the Akkem wall, which falls almost vertically towards the Akkem glacier. Knowing where Mount Belukha is located, amateurs and professional climbers come here every year.
Description
The border between Kazakhstan and Russia stretches across the Belukha massif. Full-flowing springs from its slopes Description of Belukha Mountain can be found in the advertising booklets of many travel companies. It got its name due to the abundant snows that cover Belukha from the base to the peak.
The mountain has two peaks, which are irregular pyramids in shape. The height of the Western Belukha is 4435 meters, and the pointed Eastern Belukha is even higher - 4509 meters. They fall almost vertically to the Akkemsky glacier and gradually decrease towards the Katunsky glacier (Gebler). Between the two peaks there is a depression called the Beluga Saddle. Its height is four thousand meters. It breaks off to the Akkem glacier, and in the south, to the Katun River, it descends more gently.
The mountain range consists of Upper and Middle Cambrian rocks. Its spurs are outcrops of shales and sandstones. Conglomerates are much less represented. Part of the array consists of typical flysch formations. It should be said about the tectonic instability of this territory, which is evidenced by cracks, faults and overthrusts of rocks. Almost sheer, steep slip zones are typical of the northern slope of the mountain, mainly from the side of the Akkem valley.
The Belukha region is located on the border of zones of seismic activity of seven to eight magnitudes. Small earthquakes happen here very often. As a result, the ice shell breaks, collapses and avalanches come down. Since the Paleogene era, the territory has been experiencing active tectonic uplift, which continues to this day. This was reflected in the relief - throughout the territory it is alpine, high-mountainous, with deep gorges. They are surrounded by vertical alpine ridges of Belukha mountain. Their height is 2500 meters.
The areas of the massif are mainly occupied by talus, moraines and rocks. The slopes are exposed to the destructive effects of avalanches and mudflows.
Climate
In the Belukha region, the climate is severe - cold and long winters and rainy short summers. The conditions vary along the belts: from the climate of high glaciers and snow at the top to the climate of the valleys, where the average air temperature in July does not exceed +8.3 °C. At the peaks (platform) +6.3 °C. Even in summer, on the top of Belukha (altitude 2509 meters), the air temperature can drop to -20 °C.
In January, the air temperature is -48 °C and even in March it remains quite low -5 °C.
Glaciers
Belukha Mountain is one of the main glacial centers of Altai. In the river basins associated with it, there are one hundred and sixty-nine glaciers, covering a vast area of one hundred and fifty square kilometers. Half of the glaciers of the Katun Ridge are located on Belukha.
M. V. Tronov, a well-known Soviet climatologist, singled out the glacial region of the mountain as a separate “type of Belukha glaciers”. Six large glaciers are concentrated in this area. Among them: the Small and Big Berel glaciers, 8 and 10 km long and 8.9 and 12.5 km 2 in area, respectively, the Sapozhnikov glacier, 10.5 km long and 13.2 km 2 in area.
All the glaciers located here are quite large: their area ranges from two to ten square kilometers. The ice moves at a speed of thirty to fifty meters per year. The largest was recorded on the Brothers Tronovy glacier. At its foot it reaches one hundred and twenty meters a year. When snow accumulates on steep slopes, avalanches occur.
Rivers
They mainly belong to the basin of the Katun River, which originates on the southern slopes of the Gebler Glacier. Here are the sources of the rivers Akkem, Kucherla, Idegem. The southeastern slope is drained by the Belaya Berel River, which belongs to the Bukhtarma basin.
The water flows that originated near the Belukha glaciers form the so-called Altai type of rivers. They are replenished by the melt waters of glaciers. These rivers are characterized by a powerful flow in summer and rather low in the rest of the time. Most of them are fleeting, often forming waterfalls. For example, the picturesque waterfall Rassypnaya is located on the river of the same name, which is the right tributary of the Katun River.
lakes
In the Belukha region, they are located in trough valleys and deep caravans. They appeared on this territory during the activity of ancient glaciers. The largest of them are Akkemskoye and Kucherlinskoye.
Vegetation
The Belukhinsky massif, as, indeed, for any mountainous territory, is characterized by a rather diverse flora. According to numerous studies, most of the ridge belongs to the high-mountainous Katunsky region, where the presence of high-mountain and forest formations is noted. The forest belt stretches to heights of two thousand meters in the western part and up to two thousand two hundred meters in the east. It is most developed on the northern macroslope.
In the upper reaches of the Koksu and Katun rivers, the belt is fragmentary. Its lower border is dominated by dark coniferous formations with a predominance of Siberian spruce, Siberian fir, and cedar. Deciduous species are common: mountain ash, Siberian larch, birch. Shrubs are represented by honeysuckle, meadowsweet, caragana. Cedar dominates in the higher zone, and lingonberries and honeysuckle dominate among shrubs. In the uppermost part of the forest zone, round-leaved birch and alpine and subalpine herbs grow. In addition, raspberries and currants are common here.
On the lower border, the subalpine belt is represented by cedar-larch and cedar light forests, with fragments of shrubs and subalpine meadows. The Alpine belt is represented by small-grass, tall-grass, and cobresia meadows. The Belukhinsky massif occupies most of the highlands, therefore rather rare species that grow in the Alpine belt are of interest here: larkspur ukokskaya and aconite not found, rhodiola (four-membered, frosty, pink), Krylov's cinquefoil, more than thirty types of onions (dwarf, Altai and others) . Many of them are included in the Red Book of Altai.
Animal world
Red-backed, big-eared and red-gray voles are found on stony placers and dwarf dwarf birches. On the right bank of the Katun, at its source, lives the zokor and the Altai mouse. Occasionally, snow leopard, lynx and Siberian ibex come to these places.
Birds are much more diverse. Hunting and commercial species include: tundra and white partridges. From the family of passerines, the Himalayan conjurer, Alpine jackdaw, and chough-tree live here. Much less often in these places you can meet the Siberian mountain finches and a very rare species - juniper grosbeak. The rare species included in the Red Book of Altai include the Altai snowcock, big lentil, golden eagle.
Natural Park
Back in 1978, the leadership of the autonomous region decided to create a natural monument in these places. Its official status was confirmed in 1996 by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Altai. In June 1997, the first Belukha natural park in the republic was founded, covering an area of 131,337 hectares. Since January 2000, Belukha Mountain and the adjacent territories: Kucherlinskoye and - have received the name Belukha National Park.
There are several interesting facts about this mountain:
- Mount Belukha was repeatedly depicted on the canvases of N. Roerich and G. Choros-Gurkin;
- for Altai shamanists and Buddhists, the mountain is sacred. They believe that here is one of the entrances to the mysterious country of Shambhala and Belovodie;
- esotericists consider Belukha an information pyramid and a place of power;
- the local population has many prohibitions that are associated with the sacred mountain: you can’t make noise on the slopes, bring metal objects, hunt;
- as in most other sacred places of Altai, women are not allowed to enter the mountain;
- the image of a Beluga whale can be seen on
Visiting mode
The most popular tourist route, passing from the village of Tungur to the foot of Belukha Mountain, is located in the border zone, close to the state border of Kazakhstan and Russia. Citizens of Russia who wish to travel on it must have a passport with them, travelers from other states - permission, which should be obtained in advance from the republican department of the FSB. It is located in Gorno-Altaisk.
If you plan to visit a five-kilometer zone from the border (for example, to climb Belukha), then a permit will be required for all categories of citizens.
Belukha (Republic of Altai, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and video.
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Mount Belukha (alt. Uch-Sumer - Three-headed, Kadyn-Bazhy - Top of the Katun) - the highest two-headed peak of Altai and Siberia - is located in the eastern part of the Katunsky ridge. It consists of Western Belukha (4440 m) and Eastern Belukha (4506 m) separated by a saddle. On the slopes of the mountain, large glaciers give rise to the Katun River and its tributaries. The territory belongs to the natural park "Belukha".
You can get a pass to the border zone with Kazakhstan at the border detachment department of the village of Ust-Koksa (Address: Stroitelnaya st., 19. tel.: +7-38848-22-919, fax: +7-38848-23-132, working hours: Mon -Fri 9:00-17:00, break 13:00-14:30) or at the entrance to the area at the Kyrlyk checkpoint (behind the Kyrlyk pass, if driving from Gorno-Altaisk; 85 km from the village of Ust-Koksa ).
Climate
The climate here is very severe: it is cold all the time, a piercing wind blows, the rocks are almost everywhere all year round covered with thin glacial glaze - sintered ice. Mountain-valley winds and foehns are also common here.
The average July temperature in the valleys near the upper forest line is +8.3 °C, and on plateau-like peaks +6.3 °C. In summer, on the top of Belukha, frosts down to -20 ° C are not rare.
In winter, negative temperatures drop in January to -45 °C and remain low even in March, down to -4 °C.
Hotels
On the shore of Lake Akkemskoye there is a camp site "Belukha", where the search and rescue service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry is located. Downstream of the Akkem River is the upper camp of the Vysotnik camp site.
Trekking
The mountain is relatively low, but technically difficult to climb, so you can climb it only accompanied by a guide and with the appropriate equipment. The most difficult route is from the north - this is the so-called Akkem wall, a steep section of the northern side of Belukha, between the eastern and western peaks. The least difficult is the path from the south along the Gebler (Katunsky) glacier, first climbing to the saddle between the eastern and western peaks (4050 m above sea level), and then to the eastern peak of Belukha.
Belukha mountain nature
From small mammals on stony placers and dwarf dwarf birches are common: tundra shrew, red-gray, red-backed and big-eared voles. At the source of the Katun River, along its right bank, the Altai mouse and zokor live. Lynx, snow leopard, and from ungulates - the Siberian mountain goat occasionally come here.
Birds are much more diverse: white and tundra partridges, chough, alpine jackdaw, Himalayan hawk. Less common are the Siberian mountain finches and an exotic species - juniper grosbeak. Of the species included in the Red Book of the Altai Republic, there are large lentils, golden eagles and Altai snowcocks.
This place is called the “Axis of the World”. Many travelers dream of walking along a fairy-tale path full of adventures and dangerous obstacles. Such a path is a path through Altai among centuries-old cedars and larches, near mountain lakes and rapid waterfalls, with transitions through turbulent, cold rivers to the peaks of the Katunsky ridge shining with emerald ice and the highest peak of Altai - Belukha.
Belukha is the highest peak in Altai and Siberia. Its peak reaches a height of 4506 meters above sea level. Three spurs of the Katunsky ridge of the Central Altai form a snow-white sparkling crown - a two-headed Belukha. One of the first explorers of Altai, Vasily Sapozhnikov, associated the name of the mountain with non-melting snow on its slopes. Other names for Belukha are given by the ancient Turks: Kadyn-Bazhi (top of Katun), Ak-Suru (majestic), Musdutuu (ice mountain), Uch-Ayry (mountain with three branches).
Amazing Facts:
Belukha is the center of the Eurasian continent, equidistant from four oceans
Beluga whale is recognized as a unique spiritual pole of the planet
From time immemorial, this mountain was considered a refuge for formidable forces and they were afraid to even look at it. There was a belief that the evil spirit Erlik lives in its icy halls and caves, which will punish anyone who dares to climb the slopes of Belukha: avalanches, rockfalls, landslides. It was said that anyone who dared to climb the mountain would lose their sight. Much of this now has an explanation. So, for example, the first daredevils who tried to climb glaciers and snowfields without dark glasses really went blind from the scorching reflected light. Altaians to this day revere Belukha and consider it a sacred mountain.
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The Katun River originates here.
The height of the mountain is 4506 meters. Belukha, as already noted, is the highest peak in Siberia. It consists of Western Belukha (4440 meters) and Eastern Belukha (4506 meters) separated by a saddle. Glaciers on the slopes of the mountain give rise to the sources of the Katun River. In 1995, the government of the Altai Republic established the Belukha Natural Park. The region of the mountain is located in a zone of high seismic activity, so micro-earthquakes are very frequent here. The climate here is very severe: cold winters with -20 degree frosts and short rainy summers, often with snowfalls. On the slopes of the mountain range and in the valleys, the researchers found 169 glaciers - with a total area of 150 square kilometers. The largest Belukha glacier, which is also one of the largest glaciers in Altai in general, is the Sapozhnikov glacier, 10.5 kilometers long.
The two peaks of Belukha together with the tops of Delaunay and the Crown of Altai, located on the left and on the right, form the Akkem wall, which falls almost vertically towards the Akkem glacier. The surroundings of the beautiful mountain are no less majestic. The central part of the Katunsky ridge does not fall below 4000 meters for 15 kilometers. The double-headed silhouette is perfectly visible from the passes of the Katunsky proteins, from the tops of the North Chuisky and South Chuisky ridges, from the slopes of the Terektinsky ridge, from the Saldzhar, and even in good weather from some places of the Sumultinsky ridge.
Occasionally in the mountains you can meet lynx, snow leopard, Siberian ibex. Of the birds, the white and tundra partridges, the alpine jackdaw, the Himalayan curler are especially common, the Siberian mountain finches and juniper grosbeak are less common. If you're lucky, you can see the golden eagle listed in the Red Book of the Altai Republic. 
Mount Belukha is the future Northern Shambhala
Here, according to Buddhist legends, lies the legendary transcendental country of the gods of Shambhala, a paradise that will appear to the world after people disappear from the face of the Earth. According to legend, it was from here that Buddha Gautama came to India. Altaians consider this mountain sacred. There is a legend in Altai about the insidious and evil spirit Erlik, who lives in ice chambers and underground caves. He must punish anyone who dares to step even on the slopes of the mountain, in the refuge of formidable forces, manifested in avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, thunderstorms. It was here, in Altai, that for two centuries in a row Russian people were looking for the mysterious Belovodie - a sacred country, a country of happiness and joy. And there is a legend in Altai that once a whole people went underground so as not to submit to the “white king”. The image of Belukha is associated with the arrival of the White Burkhan, with prophecies about a great future. And the legends also say the following prophecy: when Belukha changes its shape, the time will come for a new religion.
The mountain has always attracted climbers, tourists, fans of mountain river rafting, followers of Nicholas Roerich. After all, the famous philosopher and artist Nicholas Roerich visited these places at the beginning of the last century, studying the roots of Buddhism, and glorified them all over the world. Altai was of interest to N. K. Roerich as the northernmost point of the mountain world of Central Asia, as one of the main corridors along which peoples moved from the center of Asia to the plains of Siberia and further to Europe, as a place of interest for its ancient culture and philosophy. Roerich called Altai "the center", the center of the Eurasian continent, located at "an equal distance from the four oceans". 
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How to get to Belukha mountain?
The best way to get to Belukha is to go by car along the Chuysky tract. About 150 km from Gorno-Altaisk, after the Seminsky pass there will be a road (on the right) to Ust-Kan and Ust-Koks regional centers. The road goes through the village of Tungur. From the village of Tungur to Mount Belukha is about 50 km. A few kilometers from Tungur there are tourist bases where you can stop, buy food, order mountain guides. So on the shore of Lake Akkemskoye there is a camp site "Belukha", there is also a search and rescue service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. Rescuers from Gorno-Altaisk and Barnaul are on duty in the summer for three shifts a month. The first shift is from mid-June to mid-July, the second from mid-July to mid-August, the third from mid-August to mid-September. Downstream of the Akkem River is the upper camp of the Vysotnik camp site.
There are local buses from Gorno-Altaisk to the village of Tungur.
What can be seen on the mountain?
The most interesting, of course, is Belukha herself. However, it will be very difficult for a beginner to get to the top of the mountain, so most tourists take various routes to the foot of Belukha Mountain. The route does not have a sports category of difficulty, it is accessible to all people who are in good physical shape. Weather conditions in the mountains change quite often. Rainfall is possible. Temperature during the day +10+30 degrees Celsius, at night 0+10. Day trips are 5 - 15 km. The maximum height difference in the transitions is about 1000 meters.
I must say that the path from the village of Tungur to Mount Belukha will be an unforgettable journey. As mentioned above, it is about 50 km, and lasts about 3 days on foot and 2 days on horseback. Closer to Belukha, you will find yourself surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Indeed, Belukha is very beautiful. A snow-covered two-headed peak against the sunset sky, bright green alpine meadows and wide blue distances against its background - all this can be drawn, photographed and simply remembered for many years. It is impossible to remain indifferent to such a species.
Mount Belukha is the highest point of the Katunsky ridge and the highest point of Siberia. Mount Belukha is one of the natural attractions of the Ust-Koksinsky district of Gorny Altai.
The mountain has two peaks, which are in the form of irregular pyramids - Western (4435 m) and Eastern (4506 m). Between the peaks there is a depression - the Belukha saddle, whose height is 4000 m. The peaks of the mountain, together with the peaks of the Crown of Altai and Delaunay located on the right and left, form the Akkem wall, almost vertically falling down in the direction of the Akkem glacier. All glaciers are quite large, from 2 sq. km to 10 sq. km.
The name "Belukha" was given to the mountain by the Russians because of the large snow cover on the peaks. Locals still call her Muzdu-Tuu, which means "ice mountain".
The first person to measure the height of the mountain in 1835 was the naturalist, doctor and traveler F. Gebler. Thanks to the goniometric device, Gebler was able to measure the height of the Belukha peaks relative to the Belaya Berelya River and estimate it at about 3361 m. In 1895, V. Sapozhnikov, a professor at Tomsk University, made an attempt to measure the height of the peak. According to his measurements, the eastern peak of Belukha was 4542 m. The next person to measure in 1935 was climber-instructor D. Gushchin, then a new, completely unexpected result was obtained - 4630 m.
The mountain range of Mount Belukha is composed of Upper and Middle Cambrian rocks. Numerous cracks, faults and thrusts of rocks testify to the tectonic instability of the mountain. Micro-earthquakes are quite common here.
The Belukhinsky massif is characterized by variegation of vegetation. According to many researchers, most of the ridge is part of the Katun high-mountain region, where a huge variety of forest and high-mountain formations is concentrated. Small mammals can be found here: tundra shrew, red-gray, red-backed and big-eared voles. On the right bank of the Katun river live the zokor and the Altai mouse.
In 1978, Belukha Mountain received the status of a natural monument of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region, and since 1998 it has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites "Altai - Golden Mountains".
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