A favorite place for travelers in the Polar Urals is the Sob river valley. Boundless space that boggles the imagination, semi-wild nature, cold but crystal clear water and a lot of fresh air - this is what awaits travelers who decide to go there for the first time.
Location
The Sob River is located in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Its sources originate from the eastern ridges of the Polar Urals, pass intermountain slopes through the urban-type settlement of Harpi, then flow into the Ob, being its left tributary.
The Polar Urals is divided by the Sob River into sides that are completely different from each other in terms of geological structure. The reservoir is located just in its central part. The width of the mountainous area from the north reaches 125 km. It is characterized by a division by valleys with a height of passes in the region of 200 meters. The western side has quite sharp and steep slopes. Southern peaks such as Payer, Telpos-Iz reach a height of up to 1617 m.
A bit of history
The earliestthe mention of the reservoir refers to the end of the XI beginning of the XII centuries. The etymology of the name retained its old Russian roots. In the ancient Novgorod dialect, the word “sob” meant “belongings, knapsacks, property.”
The supposed explanation for this name is the transport function of the river in those days. Past the mountain ranges of the Urals or "Stone" (the former name) ran a waterway from Europe to Asia. Chinese, Europeans, Persians, Russians, Vikings passed here - they were looking for traces of the “golden woman” idol. In winter and summer, people were transported along the river, transporting their belongings, property, and all kinds of other goods. In the people, the Sob River is still called so, “knapsack”. Later, railway tracks were built along its course from the Seyda station to Kharp.
Key Features
Polar Urals the river Sob goes around from the east and up to the confluence with the Ob. The length of its channel reaches 185 km. The width of the reservoir is not the same throughout, and ranges from 30 to 60 meters, expanding to the lower reaches. To the bottom is about 1.5-2 m. The total area of the basin is 5,892 square kilometers.
Food is mostly snowy. The flood period falls on the hot days of June and July, at which time the snowy mountain peaks melt. After prolonged rains, spills are not uncommon. Most often, freezing occurs towards the end of October.
The water is very cold, smooth and quite transparent. The upper reaches and the middle are a typical mountain river with a stormy flow, with many rifts. Its speed reaches up to 5 km/h. One of the moststeep rapids is located near the urban-type settlement Kharp. The lower part has all the qualities of a flat river, with a gentle coastline, a wide channel, and a slower flow.
The hydrography of the Sob River is represented by many different tributaries. There are more than 20 of them, including Sormasyegan, Evlychegan on the left side, Harosim, Lupayegan - on the right. However, the main tributaries are Orekhyogan (at 83 km), Khara-Matolou (at 74 km), adjacent to the right, as well as Khanmei (at 93 km) and Bolshaya Paipudyna (at 153 km), on the left.
Sob River: climate conditions and nature
It is no coincidence that this corner of nature is very popular with many tourists. Surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks, with occasionally melting snow-white cover, the Sob River is bewitchingly beautiful. Low coasts and numerous island zones are mostly covered with dense forests. In these places, spruce, larch predominate, birch groves and willow thickets are often found. Walks in the forest will not leave anyone indifferent, especially in the second half of the summer months, when the tundra is rich in abundance of lingonberries, blueberries, cloudberries, and fresh mushrooms. The steep slopes of the valley are mostly treeless.
On the territory of the basin there are deposits of unique natural resources, such as uranium, jade, marble, barite, jasper and others. Periodically, high-quality gravel and sand are mined in the river floodplain.
The Sob River combines the harsh climatic conditions of the Siberian anticyclone and European air vortices. Therefore, thisthe region has cold but very snowy winters. A constant strong wind determines the nature and speed of the river. Temperature indicators are also unstable, and can be different in the mountains and on the plain. In winter, the average temperature is minus 20 ° C, but often the scale on the thermometer drops to minus 40 ° C. Spring, autumn and summer are very short. Several pleasant summer days can be abruptly interrupted by heavy rains, hail and unbearable cold.
Despite the fact that the water here is icy almost all year round, life is in full swing in the reservoir. Diverse river fauna, where the most valuable species of fish are found, is a permanent place for both summer and ice fishing. The nature of the Urals is able to give its fruits not only to local residents, but also to numerous travelers and tourists.
Types of tourism
With a truly picturesque coastline of mostly mountainous terrain, the Sob River is a huge hit with adventure seekers.
Travel is of particular interest to lovers of ecotourism. Grandiose landscapes and polar landscapes allow vacationers to appreciate a truly wild and almost untouched beauty. Having made a hike along the Sob River, you can appreciate the unique views of the surrounding natural objects. Most often, ecological tours include expeditions to mountain peaks located along the coastal zone. From a height, a view of the amazing expanses and the icy water surface opens up in a special bewitching way.
One of the most famous hills wheretourists like to visit, is the Paradise-Iz plateau. Here, among the mountain lakes and the jade waterfall, it remains only to forget about everything and enjoy the beauty. Another natural object that will also not leave anyone indifferent is the waterfall on the stream - Northern Nyrdvomenshor.
The aquatic fauna of this area is also of inalienable interest for tourists. It is represented by various types of fish, among which there are many valuable and specially bred species. In terms of water craft, this area is especially interesting.
However, the polar exotic Yamal attracts vacationers not only fishing. It attracts tourists with the unusual purity of water bodies and fresh air. One of the most popular and exciting pastimes is rafting on the Sob River. It is usually done on catamarans.
Everyone can choose the travel package they like. It is necessary to prepare documents and make an exciting journey under the strict guidance of an experienced guide. A solo swim is also possible on the Sob River.
The most suitable time for this type of holiday is the high season, which falls on the first days of June. At this time, there is still practically no midges, the water takes it well, the weather is not so severe. And if you plan a trip for the last summer months, you can enjoy not only beautiful nature, but also stock up on berries and mushrooms for the winter.
Fishing Features
Fishing on the Sob River comes in handy if a visiting traveler is interested not only in the catch itself, but alsoamazing atmosphere all around.
Priuralsky Krai is famous not only for the abundance of mushrooms and berries, but also for its rich aquatic fauna. It will not be difficult for vacationers to spend time usefully in the fresh air and catch large fish for vacationers. Here you can catch grayling, pike, taimen. Even despite the popularity among guests of this particular type of tourism, fish is not translated in these places. Everyone will be able to steal a decent catch without experiencing any competitive pressure.
At the beginning of the route, up to the tributary of the Khara-Matolou, for the most part grayling comes across. However, the fish can be quite picky, but patience and a special approach will bring considerable results.
Further at the mouth, you can have a short rest, walk up to the rapids of Gagarin and Titov. Fishing on this section of the route is notable, grayling swims "right into the hands." Reservoirs downstream of the tributary will be a real gift for pike lovers. This is where you can count on a big catch. The average individual weighs 6-8 kg, but quite often come across quite heavy, weighing up to 12 kilograms.
It is possible that fish species such as pyaled, broad whitefish, muskun, nelma, sturgeon may be on the hook, since the Sobsky fish breeding plant operates on the territory of Kharp, which is engaged in increasing the population and restoring the most valuable species of fish in the Lower Ob basin.
Movement along the water route
The railway station "Polyarny Ural" on the Sob River, or "101" km is the starting point of the water route. The final destination is the urban villagetype Harp.
The swim is 46 kilometers long and takes about two days in total. Along the left bank along the route, there are railway tracks. The upper reaches are quite shallow and it is often possible to run aground, therefore, often at the very beginning of the journey, manual navigation of water transport is used. This moment should definitely be taken into account and, when going on a trip, take high-top boots with you so as not to get wet and sting in the icy water.
Having reached the Bolshaya Paipudyn tributary, you can enjoy the surrounding beauties already sitting in a catamaran.
The left tributary of the Khamnei is even more full-flowing, the width of its channel is up to 60 meters, and the rifts become deeper. Further along the right side, other tributaries appear, one of the largest - Khara-Matolou, reaches a width of 200 meters.
Features of the river near the village of Kharp
Not far from the village of Kharp on the Sob River, on the left bank line, there is the so-called Kharpsky three-stage threshold, 500 meters long, with many scattered stones. These features provided the reservoir with the second category in terms of difficulty to overcome.
All along the water surface there are large lonely standing stones, shivvers, small islands from a pebble embankment. The depth of the river is heterogeneous, starting from 30 centimeters in the upper reaches and reaching two meters along the tributaries.
Making a solo rafting on the Sob River, the classic route can be continued to the mouth, where the reservoir flows into the boundless waters of the Ob, to the fishing village of Katravozh. From there, having agreed with the locals aboutboat, easy access to the river ports of Salekhard and Labytnangi.
Path to the valley
To get to the treasured route is possible only by rail. Or in another way, if you are the owner of an all-terrain vehicle.
Railway transport in that direction goes either from Moscow or from Vorkuta. It is best to get to the starting point of the tourist expedition by train Moscow - Labytnangi. Another option is to start your journey from Vorkuta. You can also get to it by train, which goes along the route from many cities, including Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Adler and others. The long-distance train of Vorkuta-Labytnanga departs every day and will take the tourist to the first stop - Sob. Starting from the upper reaches of Kharp and ending with the mouth near the fishing village of Katravozh, the route is more than 150 kilometers. You can get on the boat of local residents along the Ob to Labytangi to the railway station.
It must be taken into account that the location of the Arctic Ocean in close proximity makes the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug a border zone. And this, in turn, implies the observance of certain conditions for vacationers, namely the issuance of a special pass. However, this procedure is not fast, and therefore you should worry in advance. The border department of the FSB is engaged in the preparation of documents. For citizens of the Russian Federation, permits are issued within a month, while foreigners will have to wait about 60 days.
Tips and tricks for first-time travelers
To make your vacation truly memorable, choose the summer months for a trip to the Polar Urals - June, July, August.
Providing a productive pastime and safety during the trip is determined by a number of important conditions, including:
- presence of comfortable, warm clothes and shoes;
- UV glasses and protective body cream;
- correctly selected equipment depending on the complexity and duration of the route;
- mosquito nets and ointments;
- a thoughtful diet for the entire stay (never drink alcohol).
The territory should be moved only in clear weather and good visibility. When feeling uncomfortable or feeling unwell, you should always stop and take a short break.
It is dangerous to swim or even wash your face in the river. The water is icy, the bottom is rocky and slippery almost along the entire perimeter, and the current reaches 6 m / s. Also, beginners are not recommended to go on a journey all alone, as there are cases of injury or loss of orientation.
During the hike, you must not deliberately create provocative and dangerous moments for yourself and others.
When a complex emergency arises and you cannot solve the problem on your own, it is important not to lose your temper. Try to find a way to report your situation to rescuers as soon as possible and not change locations until they arrive.
Experience indescribable sensations and get a storm of positiveemotions, even being an absolute beginner, without experience or a knowledgeable guide nearby.
To get certain knowledge about the area, you need to use any available means of modern information technology. And only after studying the detailed reports of regular tourists, taking with you the things and equipment necessary for the journey, including navigation, you should set off on your journey. The main condition for the realization of any idea or cherished dream is a strong desire, to which you need to make every effort, and then everything will certainly work out.
