Season: February - May
Height difference: elevation – 1200 m. «Memorial to the Fallen in the mountains» (2550 m.) – shoulder of Titova peak (3750 m.). Dropping about 1000 m., if there is enough snow it will be possible to make descent till Memorial.
Route: Kazakhstan, Almaty region, Almaty city – Medeu natural boundary – ski resort Shymbulak – «Memorial to the Fallen in the mountains» - Mynzhilki dam – Titova pass – shoulder of Titiova peak.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Departure from Almaty at 5.00 a.m. Transfer to the Medeu mountain skating rink. Transfer to the “Memorial to the Fallen in the mountains” in Tuyuksu gorge.
Memorial was built in 1999 by National Fund of Kazakhstan Alpinism for personal funds of mountaineers. It is devoted to the mountaineers, skiers and snowboarders who have died in the mountains. Cas-iron ice axe with rope, three flowers of edelweiss and phrase in Russian and Kazakh languages “To the Fallen in the mountains”are imaged at the bas-relief plate made from red granite. Annually sky-running competitions to the top of Amangeldy peak are held here. Many sportsmen and amateurs take part in this Sky-running Festival where they can test themselves in such hard kind of sport. After competition each participant gets memorable medal and diploma.
After that we will continue ascent by feet following the road along Small Almaty river to “Mynzhilki” dam. This name can be literally translated as “good pasture for livestock”. Here is also located stationary meteorological station at an altitude of 3000 m.a.s.l Light snack and short break in shelter near Mynzhilki dam.
After break will move to the right crossing body of the dam. When we get the opposite edge of the dam we will start to move up to the slope on the way to Memory peak. Long steep ascent is waiting for us here. After it we will reach the ridge and continue to move on the way to Titova pass with smooth elevation. Short break on the pass, cup of tea, snacks and we can move further to the finish part of our ascent. Almost all ascent till the top can be overcome by skis, exception is the upper rocky steep part where we will have to climb by feet. Duration of ascent from «Memorial to the Fallen in the mountains» in Tuyuksu mountain area to the Mynzhilki dam will take about 1,5 – 2 hours depending on fit level, than 2 more hours to the Titova pass and one more hour to the shoulder of Titova peak.
Titiova peak was named after Valerian Titov – famous botanist and founder of the first community of young naturalists in Almaty. Peak was named after him by his pupils in 1930.
Short break on the peak's shoulder at the altitude of 3750 m, preparations for descent. For those who have wish to reach the top it's possible to make it by feet. It's altitude is 3867 metres. We will make descent from the peak's shoulder. Comfort angle of the slope lets to make pleasant descent from the left side of ascent line. After short traverse to Titova pass we will make uninterrupted descent in couloir right to the Mynzhilki dam. If quantity of snow lets we will make descent till start point – “Memorial to the Fallen in the mountains”. Transfer from Memorial to mountain skating rink Medeu. Arrival to the city by 15.00.
Required equipment:
- Alpine skis/snowboard with ski-touring bindings
- Ski/snowboard boots (for skiers with system of switching to walking mode)
- Snowshoes (for snowboarders without splitboard)
- Skins
- Poles
- Comfortable functional clothing for riding (base layer (thermal underwear), gore-tex jacket and pants, additional layers of clothing for insulation, downy sweater or vest)
- Avalanche equipment (ABS system or avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe and transceiver)
- Freeride backpack with volume 20-30 litres with ski/snowboard fixation
- Goggles with a spare lens for bright sunlight and cloudy weather
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Thermos with tea
- Water tank or camelback
- Head torch
- Personal AID kit
- Snacks (bars, muelsi, special mount nutrition)
