Traverse of Turkestan range ― South-West Kyrgyzstan (2011)
Leg 4: From Karasu pass to Djaupaya valley (July 20-22)
From Karasu pass (1.8.4 in the map below), we hiked down into the Karasu
valley, with beautiful views of two big walls, Asan (4230m) and Usen (4378m). We spent a night there and then moved to the
next valley (Aksu river)
which boasts more big walls, including peak Slesov
(also called Russian Tower). Note that since Aksu and
Karasu mean white and black water, respectively,
these are common names for rivers. From the valley of the Aksu
river, we hiked to the next valley (Djaupaya river). All three rivers, Karasu,
Aksu and Djaupaya, merge
together to form Karavshin river.
(Black horizontal lines in the map are distant by
9.5 km.)
Spectacular alignment of peaks seen from Karasu pass. From left to right: Kotina
(4521m), Kyrkchilta (4507m), and 4810 (4810m). Peaks Usen and Asan are further to the
right and not visible on this photo.
Another view from Karasu pass, with peak Slesov visible near the center
slightly to the left.
Two views (evening and morning, respectively) of Karasu valley, with peak Asan
(4230m) in the center and peak Pyramidal (5509m) in the background.
Maksim crossing Aksu
river (not so white) on a slippery bridge on a late
afternoon, when the water level is the highest due to snow and ice melting
upward.
Remain of a rocket from previous fights in the Aksu
valley between the Kyrgyz army and infiltrators coming from Afghanistan.
Several views of peak Slesov
(Russian Tower, 4240m).
Upper part of the Aksu valley.
Kyrkchilta (4507 м), also called ′1000th
Anniversary of Russia Christening′, left, and Kotina
(4521m), right.
Two views of peaks 4810, Kyrkchilta,
and Kotina, from left to right at the center of the
photo, seen from the ridge separating the Aksu and Djaupaya valleys. Peak pyramidal is hidden behind peak
4810.
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