The goal of our hike was to explore whether it was possible to pass through the Childukhtar pass to the plateau. The Churakdara and Shurasoy rivers, which are tributaries of the Takob River, originate from this plateau. We assumed that we wouldn't be able to pass through, as it was March, and that's exactly what happened. We couldn't even reach the pass. The trail leading to the pass follows the ridge for the last couple of kilometers and we were only able to ascend to 2300-2400 meters because it was heavily snowed in above that altitude. Our goal was to explore, and we found out that the pass to the plateau is currently closed, so we turned back.
The hike route is shown in the diagram, with the final destination being slightly below the pass.
We went on a hike very early, at six we were at Vodonasosnaya, we agreed with the driver and he took us to the second bridge in Ojuk. Therefore, we walked along Ojuk early in the morning.
We reached the fork in Harangon and the pass by the mulberry tree at about 9 - 9:30 am.
Further, I have not gone before, here it is higher, accordingly, everything changes somewhat. On the way, we meet the very last bridge, the Odjuk gorge is also called the gorge of seven bridges, but this hike is the ninth, if I'm not mistaken.
Almonds still bloom here, although they have already bloomed at the beginning of the gorge. And birches appear.
These photos show that Ojuk Gorge looks slightly different.
In this photo, the fork we need.
Straight ahead, the Odjuk gorge ends with the Kichkine and Kumkayakutal passes.
To our left, where the path along the river will lead us to the Childukhtaron pass.
This is the gorge we need.
Here in the gorge there is snow in places, but the spring cannot be stopped, which is demonstrated by these cheerful flowers, if I am not mistaken these are crocuses.
Several photos from this gorge.
The gorge is small, after passing it about two thirds, you have to climb up the slope to get to the Childukhtaron pass. You need to climb to the edge, then the path goes along it.
Here is the ridge along which the path to the Childukhtaron pass follows.
Views towards the gorge we came across.
Photo from the other side of the rib.
Well, now it's time to paint the final destination of our journey. The trail goes along the ridge to this mountain, without reaching the top, bends around it along the left slope.
Here I went there.
But on the way there were too many areas with snow, I had to remove the camera and look at my feet, the slope there is quite steep.
Climbing higher, I realized that we simply did not have time to reach the pass, and turned back. It was slippery, I didn't even take a photo there, I was afraid to star. In this photo, it is less clear how I walked. The trail goes somewhere at the level of the saddle. And as you can see, there the snowy areas turn into a continuous snow cover. You can go through in principle, but that would have been a different story, most likely sad.
We decided to go down and spend the night in this gorge, into which we passed, crossing the ridge with a path.
We went down this very comfortable sandy edge.
Photos from him in the direction where they came from.
The next day, along this cozy gorge, we went back.
On the way I met a very interesting waterfall. From above, it flows through several baths, but the most interesting thing is that it does not fall down directly, but along the side wall.
Such was the reconnaissance in force, with an overnight stay in March.
I was afraid that it would be cold at night, the mountains after all. But no, the weather was very dry, it was warm and there was no wind. Another bonus, the complete absence of insects. As a result, we spent a surprisingly warm, pleasant evening by the fire. And as it happens in the mountains, with a sky strewn with a huge number of stars.
