The Snezhnaya River attracts a large number of rafting enthusiasts every year. The turbulent streams of a mountain river flowing into Lake Baikal originate in the Tyryngyn mountains, picking up speed from a height of 2300 meters on the northern ridge of Khamar-Daban. This full-flowing river is one of the four largest rivers in the region. In company with her are such giants as Upper Angara, Serengoy and Barguzin.
In the article we will get acquainted with the Snezhnaya River in Buryatia, what it is famous for, why lovers of travel and adventure go there, why it attracts fishermen and water tourists so much. We will also tell you how to get there, explain the difficulties of the river navigation, the categories of difficulty in passing the rapids, what kind of fish you can catch in the water, what animals you can meet in the surrounding forest.
General information
The mountain river Snezhnaya flows through the territory of the Irkutsk region and Buryatia for 173 km, the total area of the water spill is 3020 m2. Coming down from the mountainRidge the river flows in the gorge between Khamar-Daban and Khangarul ridge. This is a longitudinal depression that separates the mountain peaks.
The bed of the Snezhnaya River is quite winding, turbulent streams cross shallow rifts, but on the way of the water there are also huge boulders, forming seething rapids of various categories of complexity. In the lower reaches of the river there is a beautiful 12-meter waterfall, locally called "Squirrel Flight", in Buryat it sounds like Khirmyn-Dulyu, which you can see in the photo below.
There are also two very difficult rapids on the river, which ordinary amateurs bypass, because it is not for nothing that they are given the VI category of complexity. These are rapids called "Toad" and "Snowflake".
Terrain
The Baikal region and the area of the Snezhnaya River are hard-to-reach places with rocky shores and dense thickets of taiga. Due to the difficulty of access, the river has only two settlements. This is the village of Vydrino on the right bank, located near the station and a little downstream there is also the village of Vydrino in the Kabansky district. On the left bank of the river there is a village called Novosnezhnaya, which belongs to the administrative region of the Irkutsk region of the Slyudyansky district.
Rocky mountains and green valleys, dense coniferous and deciduous forests meet along the water stream. Since this area is located at the junction of tectonic plates, folded mountain ranges formed even in the ancient Paleozoic period. Tectonic movements are observed in our time,therefore, the area of the Snezhnaya River and the entire Baikal region are often shaken by earthquakes.
Coast fauna
Deaf, uninhabited river banks are a place where wild animals feel at home. The Baikal region is inhabited by large animals, such as elk and brown bear, reindeer and wolf, wolverine and lynx, snow leopard and Siberian roe deer. There are wild boars and red deer. Many birds can be seen in the forests and valleys. Of the predators, there is a large and incredibly beautiful white-tailed eagle that hunts for black grouse or Daurian partridge.
Inhabits the area of the Snowy River muskrat and water vole, there are black-capped marmot and chipmunk. When arriving as water tourists or traveling through the mountain ranges, you need to stay in a group. Wild animals are instinctively afraid of humans, therefore, having heard the speech of people, they are unlikely to come up to look. However, before hiking, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules of behavior in wild places, do not tempt bears with the smell of food, and do not leave food near the camp.
Fishing on the Snezhnaya River
The first name of the river is associated with snow lying in the mountains along the path of the water flow, which does not melt even in summer. The second name of the river is Udulkha, which in Buryat means a fish river. This is reassuring for fishermen who decide to go fishing in such wild places. There are really a lot of fish in the river. These are grayling and lenok, taimen and perch, pike and others. Fishing is good both in winter, when the river is covered with a layer of ice, and in summer, starting in July.
Experiencedfishermen advise to move through the Langutai gate to the exit to Bayri, then go a little downstream to the confluence of the Yunkutsuk. There is simply gorgeous fishing in the summer for grayling.
The best places for fishing in deep water are beyond the rapids, in shallow water you can catch small things in your ear.
Shipping
A tributary of Lake Baikal, the Snezhnaya River is incredibly popular among lovers of fast water and adrenaline rush. It is quite difficult to cope with a kayak or raft when melting down the rocky sections of the shivers. The speed of the current in such places is incredibly high, oblique or upright waves often appear, sometimes you can get into a barrel - these are water pits behind a heap of stones.
There is a high probability of a reverse flow along the way. It is quite difficult to determine the direction of the water in shivers, so it is advisable to reconnoiter from the shore before moving, to choose a place for future mooring. Shivers in some places of the river can be several kilometers long, often they are in front of the vessel entering the rapids.
River rapids
Snezhnoy River Pilot consists of alternating shivers and rapids of different difficulty categories. Before rafting, it is advisable to purchase a sailing map from travel agencies in order to be aware of the upcoming changes in the relief of the river.
Basically, the rapids of Snezhnoy have the IV category of difficulty. These are such transitions as "Marble", "Caliber", "Fang", "Pelota", "Track", "Gate","Elephant", "Twisty" and several smaller ones. Passing them is not so difficult, having the experience of rafting on quieter rivers. The length of the rapids can be from several tens to 300 meters. Powerful shafts end with sharp and more gentle plumes, in which the water speed increases sharply.
Difficult rapids
The first difficult section, which is prohibited for kayaking, is the Kharmyn-Dulyu waterfall. This is a very dangerous place, which is passed by a few experienced athletes. Amateurs are strictly prohibited from passing the distance on the water. In this place you need to move the kayak along the shore. You can stand on the rocks and admire the beauty of the waterfall, listen to the roar of the water and feel the power of the mountain river.
After the waterfall, two more difficult rapids follow. These are "Toad" and "Snowflake", a photo of which you can see above. They were assigned the 6th category of complexity. Inexperienced athletes are also advised to cross the distance along the coast. The photo shows how strong the raging current is, the ship is literally pulled under water by continuous whirlpools.
"Toad" has a length of 60 meters. The threshold got its name because of the rock that looks like a sitting toad, which is located on the right side. At this point, the channel is divided by low rocks into three streams. The left passage goes around the rock and drains to the right. The central stream begins with a sharp drain, ending in a narrowing in the rocks. On the right, the movement of the vessel is complicated by the presence of a comb and pressing against a perpendicular rock. Afterthe threshold of the channel is expanding significantly.
The threshold "Snezhinka" is located from the "Toad" after 400 meters. Its length is about 30 meters, but the fall of the river is 5 meters. Powerful boilers with bubbling white foam alternate with two drains located in series one after the other. If you decide not to take risks, but to bypass such a difficult threshold, then it is better to do it on the left side of the coast.
When and how to get to the river
The depth of the river changes depending on the season. The ice begins to melt from the beginning of May, while the water level rises slightly. High rises up to 4 meters are observed after summer rains. It happens in June and July. Already at the end of October, the water begins to freeze, in quiet sections the river becomes already in November, but in the seething streams the water is visible in winter. The best time for rafting is the middle of summer.
Many travel agencies of Buryatia organize walking tours along the river and rafting with experienced instructors. It is better not to go to such wild and difficult places on your own. You can get to the Snezhnaya River, the photo of which is in the article, by train to Slyudyanka. Then you will have to move by all-terrain vehicles, since the road is very difficult, including fords along the river of the same name. Then go on foot to the Khamar-Daban weather station. From there, with a guide, the journey begins through the Devil's Gate Pass to the tributaries of the river.
The next path leading to the river starts from the Ulan-Ude train stop. Then by car they get to the village of Bayangol. Continue on foot orATV.
Another method: by train to st. Murino, then walk 90 km along the Khara-Murin River and its tributary, overcoming the Langutai Gate Pass, go down to the river.
As you can see, how difficult the river is, how difficult it is to get to it. You need to be physically prepared enough, have perseverance and courage to endure all the hardships of such a difficult, but incredibly interesting journey along the beautiful river of the Baikal region.
