Almost every year I travel to the Shumak valley of 100 mineral springs. They are located on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia. The Shumak river of the same name flows through the valley. Who believes that Shumak is a place of power in Siberia, among the mountains.
The springs are hard to reach, located in the heart of the Sayan Mountains. Each source has its own taste, temperature, mineral composition. All sources are different from each other, even if, for example, we take two sources gushing from the same griffin.
I travel to Shumak at different times of the year. It all depends on the company and on the availability (or absence) of free time. Therefore, I think it’s a sin not to write a little about the place where I visit so often, where I rest my body and soul, where I free myself from earthly shackles, where all problems go into the background, where I spiritually cleanse myself.
Where cars don't go
How to get to this extraordinary place? You can get to Shumak by helicopter from Irkutsk in 1 hour or on foot in 2-3 days, having good physical shape, from the nearest village 70 km from Shumak. There is another exotic option - on horseback (you and your backpacks are being driven). Also 2-3 days. The guides are local Buryats. They don't come cheap.
I didn’t travel on horseback myself, but someone says that it’s interesting and even extreme, someone says that it’s not worth it, they say the horses smell bad, you ride and inhale the aromas + gadflies accompany you all the way!
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People from young to old go to Shumak: here you will see children with their parents, and the elderly, and the infirm, a lot of young people. Everyone is drawn to the magical healing power of arshans. There is no civilization here! There are no roads, no shops, no entertainment ...
But people who want to visit this place are not getting smaller! Every year, thousands of people come to Shumak, fly by helicopter, live in tents, in winter quarters or at a camp site that pleases tourists with its hospitality.
Base Shumak
Flying to Shumak, I stay at a camp site, which is also called Shumak. A little about it: a cozy, quiet, comfortable camp site, designed for a small number of people. You will see here 25 houses, a cafe-dining room with a wonderful chef, and, of course, all the amenities =)
Imagine: there are mountains around you, taiga, wild animals, unpredictable weather... and next to it, a camp site that will shelter, feed and warm =)
Welcome to the camp site "Shumak".
Houses at the tourist center "Shumak"
Here you have hot water, and electricity, and a sauna, and massage, and satellite TV, and the Internet, and even satellite communications! The tour guide conducts excursions. Such a small island of prosperity! =) even wild animals met at the base (chipmunks, squirrels, even ermine)!
During the construction of the base, not a single tree, not a single century-old cedar was cut down, all the materials were brought in by helicopter!
And most importantly, the camp site is located a 5-minute walk from the mineral springs.
What is at the base and in the district
Personally, I am not a fan of mineral water, I fly to Shumak, in simple terms, to relax and enjoy the world around =) but people mainly come here for health, for Shumak water. Here they take radon baths, mud baths, drink some water.
They say that you need to try water from all sources, and only then be treated and improve your health with the water that you like! For me, spring number 6 turned out to be the most delicious water. What kind of spring is it, what is being treated with it, you will find out upon arrival at Shumak =)
As for radon baths, there are contraindications. They can not be taken by pregnant women, patients with a cardiovascular system, oncology. It is advised to take 1 time per day for 10 minutes / session, without immersing the heart area in water. Personally, I immersed myself completely, only leaving my head on the surface =) the skin after procedures with radon becomes like a baby's!
Just think about it, thousands of people come to Shumak every year. Many of them live on Shumak all summer (so to speak, "season") and not at the camp site, but in winter quarters! How many interesting and amazing stories of healing and recovery you can hear on Shumak.
Why do people go to Shumak
I spoke with a man who overcame cancer! It's a pity I can't say how much time it took him to spend on Shumak. He said that he drank water from a radon spring. He drank so much that there was no free space in the stomach. And lo and behold, having arrived in his hometown, he found out that the disease had receded. These are miracles!
Who treats legs, who has skin diseases, who has diabetes…. many examples! One thing is clear: you must visit here yourself, see everything with your own eyes and try with your own lips.
When is the best time to stay on Shumak? Everyone has it different. I really love autumn on Shumak.
Firstly, silence reigns, there are very few tourists, mainly those who live at the camp site, who will fly back by helicopter. Hikers are a rarity already in autumn, because. the mountain pass is “closed”, as they say, there is already high snow on the pass at this time.
Secondly, you can enjoy the taiga gifts of Shumak in the form of cranberries, honeysuckle, pine nuts.
And, thirdly, who comes to Shumak for health, for healing water, he will not lose, because. water in the springs at this time is most useful, because. not diluted with melt, groundwater.
People get as far as they can
In summer, Shumak is warm, cozy, noisy, but still hospitable. In summer, there are a lot of vacationers and those who are treated at Shumak. If you take a helicopter that flies to Shumak once a week, then it can fly 4 times, fully loaded with people, i.e. he brings 80 people. And how many more are on foot and on horseback! It happens that a queue forms for radon baths and mud, and there are always a lot of people at the springs.
In the spring, Shumak is also not crowded. Snow still lies (March-April), it seems that winter still reigns in these places. But the sun warms like spring =) In the spring, too, only tourists at the base live on Shumak, there are no backpackers yet.
Resting place at the tourist center Shumak.
Well, in winter, what can I say, it's cold =) like everywhere else in Siberia =) but if you compare it with Irkutsk, then Shumak is several degrees warmer in winter than in the city. For example, in the winter on New Year's holidays in 2009-2010. I was on Shumak.
And so, in Irkutsk, the temperature was -40 for a couple of days, and on Shumak -30 =) so, if you need to spend the winter frosts, go to the mountains =) well, in general, the springs do not freeze all year round, even in winter all sources regularly beat out -under the ground!
Helicopter tours
I also want to focus on one amazing place, which is located 6 km from the sources of Shumak. These are the sacred pillars of Huuhain-Khad (they are called "Mountain-Child"). Childless women come here to ask for children, leaving gifts as a gift to the Shumak spirits. When asking for a boy, they leave a toy like an airplane, a car, a gun. When asking for a girl, they leave a doll, hairpins, earrings, etc. as a gift. They say you can see your future here!
For all the time I was on Shumak, not a single bad thought came to me, I think only about the good and the lofty. So my advice to you is: fly/come to Shumak. Where you will live here - does not matter!
Love comfort and coziness, then you are on the way to the camp site, well, and if you are not afraid of either thunderstorms, or wind, or the absence of earthly blessings, then you can stay in the winter hut and in your faithful tent.
Sacred Pillars of Huuhein-Hada.
Alpine (1558 m) valley of the Shumak River, which is fed by several dozen mineral springs, different in temperature, salinity and dissolved elements. Water here heals literally everything. But the path to them is difficult. We have to ford mountain rivers and storm the pass of 2700 meters. One experienced tourist even joked: “A patient who decides to be treated at the Shumak springs must have remarkable health and the dexterity of a climber and cavalryman.”
This place is mysterious and covered with many legends. According to one of them, the first person who got to these places was a hunter. He was chasing a deer and had already shot him with a bow. But the deer jumped into the spring and galloped alive and unharmed. This is probably how the healing properties of the valley of 100 springs were discovered.
They also say that there is a gold mine on Shumak, which appears and then mysteriously disappears. For the first time, she was found by a fugitive convict Dmitry Demin in the 60s of the 19th century. In his footsteps, the Irkutsk gold miner Kuznetsov came to the deposit, but he soon died under mysterious circumstances. Finally, at the beginning of the 20th century, after the revolution, the deposit was found by the mining technician Novikov, who was shot by the Bolsheviks. The members of his expedition could not tell the exact location of the vein. Further expeditions to search for Demino gold, carried out in the 50s and later, were not crowned with success.
Geography
Shumak is an alpine valley of the Shumak River in the center of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, often called "Little Tibet". The Shumak River is the right tributary of Kitoy.
Climate of Shumak
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The climate is harsh, sharply continental. Even in summer, the heat can be replaced by rain and even snow. Best time to visit: July-August. AttractionsChildren's mountain (pillars of Huuhain-Hada). Located 5 km downstream of the Shumaka River. Childless families come here, who are unable to help the doctors, and ask for a child. |
Places of worship for sister spiritsDolzhon and Molzhon. These girls are read by the spirits of the area. Once a hunter brought his daughters to Shumak for medical treatment. But tragedy struck and the girls died. Since then, their souls have been living on Shumak and keeping order. The locals say that the spirits love it when their guests sing and have fun. And they get very angry if people quarrel, destroy the forest, litter.
sacred places. They are marked by poles and trees tied with ribbons. Here it is customary to leave requests and thanks. The knife left on Shumak is a request for the birth of a son, a doll - for a daughter, a wooden spoon - for good health. And in gratitude, they leave whole poems, drawings, crafts.
Neighborhood guide
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Buryat yurt. In the village of Khoytogol, which stands on the trail to Shumak, a traditional eight hundred yurt was built, which housed the local history museum. Here they talk about the life, customs, rituals of the Buryat people, as well as how they changed when the Cossacks and Russian settlers came to this land. Burkhan-Baabay. The legendary habitat of Shargay-noyon - the western protector of Tunka. On this high sand dune (1076 m) in the vicinity of Khoytogol, shamanic rites and Buddhist prayers have long been held. And sand, according to legend, has miraculous powers. It is sewn into a small bag and worn as a talisman, leaving for the army, hung in a koshara and in a house to protect households and livestock from evil spirits. |
Visit Shumak on tours
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Source Pearl. Thermal spring on the picturesque coast of Irkut. Its healing waters help in the treatment of diseases of the joints and nervous system.
Nile Desert. Balneological resort in an hour and a half drive from Arshan. Here they take radon baths, which have a healing effect on the body, undergo a course of strengthening procedures. They also drink natural water enriched with silver ions. It is located half an hour from the trail to Shumak.
Arshan - the most famous hydrotherapy resort in Eastern Siberia. Luxurious nature of the Tunkinskaya valley, clean mountain air and clear water falling from a height of many meters - all this is Arshan. And also - dozens of interesting sights.
Shumak from a bird's eye view, photo: E.Bragin
Shumak is one of the most mysterious places in Siberia. It is useless to look for information about a mountain resort in medical reference books, but people from all over the WORLD strive to get here.
If you contact a travel agency with the wishes to purchase a tour to the Shumak mineral springs, then you can faint from the cost of such a tour. I will not voice the figure - for an ordinary average person - it is simply prohibitive. When you call and find out, just in case, be in a sitting position - so as not to fall, and also for those who are especially nervous - prepare cotton wool moistened with ammonia))))
From the article you will learn how you can get to Shumak on your own.
Why go to Shumak, what to do there
The land, hidden among the gorges and blue waterfalls, at an altitude of 1558 meters above sea level, is located deep in the mountains of the Eastern Sayan. It is called "Little Tibet".
Shumak is known for its healing waters as one of the most inaccessible sources on the planet.
People talk about the special energy of this place. The fact that every person on Shumak literally transforms. In these places, not only the body is healed, but also the soul. There are legends about the healing properties of the waters of the Shumak springs. Here the blind begins to see, and the one who comes on crutches goes back without them.
The springs of Shumak contain all the best properties of the mineral waters of Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Tskhaltubo.
Shumak healing springs treat the most serious diseases. It is said that many have been cured of cancer here. And for childless couples, after visiting these sacred places, long-awaited children were born.
There are a lot of rare plants that have not yet been destroyed by civilization. And the berries... How many berries are here: blueberries, strawberries, blueberries ...
In 1999, an international scientific expedition was organized here, which confirmed the healing properties of water. In total, 100 springs spring from the ground, both mineral and radon. It is noteworthy that in one spring there can be hot water, and nearby in a neighboring spring 10 centimeters away - ice water. The formation of springs dates back to 1.6 million years ago.
It was here that the great Genghis Khan drew energy and wisdom.
The place is truly unique and mysterious. The place is lost far away in the mountains. A place for the chosen ones.
River valley Shumak, photo: E.Bragin
The legend of the Shumak springs
In ancient times, a hunter from the Soyot tribe hunted in the mountains of the Eastern Sayan. He met a deer and shot at him. The arrow did not kill the beast, but wounded in the hoof. The deer, trying to elude the hunter, went far into the mountains. The hunter moved towards his prey and overtook the wounded beast when he lay in a puddle of mud. The hunter tried to get closer to make a control shot, when suddenly the deer jumped up and ran away on all four hooves. The healing mud healed the wound and saved the deer. So the healing springs of Shumak were discovered.
Source from dental disease, photo: E. Bragin
Shumak springs are effective in the treatment of diathesis, diabetes, disorders of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, etc.
Water from springs should be taken 30-60 minutes before meals.
Mud bath can be taken only by adults and no more than 20 minutes.
A radon bath should be taken while sitting, without immersing the heart area in water, once a day, no more than 10 minutes. After taking a bath, you need to dress warmly, there is a very high risk of catching a cold even in warm weather.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. The spirit of Shumak will definitely remind you of this. How? Get drunk and see! 🙂
The mineral spring "Male Stubbornness" is famous for the fact that it is guaranteed to cure male infertility.
Source for men
The organs that the source heals are here and there 🙂
Having crossed the bridge "Women's whims", the path will lead you to the source, the healing water of which cures women's diseases.
Bridge Women's whims on Shumak
Radon baths help with articular osteochondrosis.
The building where the radon bath is located, photo by E. Bragin
Path to radon baths
The most important thing is to treat yourself without fanaticism 🙂 You can drink at least a bucket of healing water - it will not cure diseases right away. On the contrary, no matter how bad it became from so much drinking. Everything needs to be done in doses, with feeling, sense and arrangement. Drink water in one or two sips - no more. If you have a disease in the acute stage, you better see a doctor and do not self-medicate.
It's not so much about drinking healing water, but about the mysterious energy of the place, acting on everyone who has been here.
What else to see on Shumak
Take a self-guided tour of marble waterfall.
If you stand on the side of the camp site with your back to it, then first you need to go to the opposite bank of the Shumak River. Then move to the right along the path along the river. Having reached the mountain river, which flows into Shumak, turn left and up the mountain river. It forms marble waterfalls. And climbing to the very top, you will see such a panorama of the river valley.
Or this panorama:
Eastern Sayans
Be sure to go to the poles. This is a sacred place of the Buryats. It is here that the spirit of Shumak lives.
sacred pillars. The habitat of the spirit of the river. Shumak
This place is famous for couples who dream of having children. They say that if you come here and ask Shumak for children, they will definitely appear. No wonder the altar has a lot of offerings and gifts: gold and silver jewelry, souvenirs, children's toys and just things dear to the people who came here.
There are similar places of power for childless couples in several other places in Buryatia. For example, childless women come to for help.
Buryat childless couples perform rituals in
Place of power for childless couples
There are three mountain rivers on the way to the sacred pillars. You will need rubber boots. In the photo, the builders of the crossing, who did not have rubber boots with them. As a result, 1.5 hours were spent, and the legs were still wet. A swift mountain stream demolishes all crossings.
Crossing a mountain river on Shumak
You need to go all the time along the Shumak River. If you stand with your back to the camp site, then again you need to go to the other side, but now you always go to the left, all the time along the river. Travel time is at least 2 hours.
And if you, before reaching the pillars, at the crossing of the third mountain river (without crossing it) turn right upwards (the landmark is a strong swamp, you won’t miss it - soft ground falling under your feet, moss), then after 2 hours you will get to such a waterfall .
Waterfall on Shumak, photo: E.Bragin
Where to stay on Shumak, how to rent a house
How to get to the Nile Desert
Buses and fixed-route taxis run from Irkutsk to Nilova Pustyn. Departure from the bus station.
Distance - 254 km.
Travel time is 3-4 hours.
The ticket price is around 400 rubles.
Or we leave by car along the M-55 Irkutsk-Chita highway. You can leave the car in the Nile Desert.
For 150 rubles a day, they will also look after her)
The road passes through the village of Kultuk on Lake Baikal, and at the local market you can try the famous Baikal omul, hot or cold smoked.
This is such a yummy
From the observation deck you can take beautiful photos of the village of Kultuk and Lake Baikal.
View of the village of Kultuk and about. Baikal
After passing the village along the main road at the fork to the right.
Orientation - to the side.
Now the route is called Kultuk-Mondy and it remains to drive 156 km. Landmark - after 110 km there will be a sign - "Arshan", we drive past without turning.
The trail to Shumak begins near the village of Khoito-Gol between marks 11-12 km of the road Nilova-Pustyn - Khoito-Gol.
After the Buddhist datsan in the Nile Desert, at the first turn we turn right onto a country road to the pass.
This road has many forks. Follow the direction along the left bank of the Khubuta River. Then a noticeable, well-packed pack trail begins, gradually turning into the valley of the Ekhe-Ger River. The trail is well cleared. There are signs everywhere.
It is necessary to stop for the night before the pass. Do not climb the pass in the evening, you will not have time to cross it. There is nowhere to hide from the bad weather on the pass itself. There is no firewood, and the wind can be so strong that it will blow the tents away. There is a sharp change in weather at the pass, almost always precipitation in the form of rain or snow, or rain turning into snow and back. Sudden violent gusts of wind. Even in summer. Even in July.
Halt and overnight, photo: E.Bragin
At the beginning and at the end of summer, heavy snowfalls are possible here, which cover the trail and make it difficult to navigate.
In the period from September to May, the Shumaksky pass is overcome in special climbing shoes (cats).
The height of the pass is 2750 meters.
If it rains in the evening, your tents may get a little icy in the morning. Yes, it happens, don't worry. Stock up on warm clothes.
In the Nile Desert, you can rent horses to quickly get to the foot of the pass. Backpacks can be loaded onto horses. Also in Nilovka you can take a guide to the pass.
Part of the journey on horseback, photo: E.Bragin
In principle, you should not be afraid of the pass. Both children and old people go. However, there are those who did not reach the springs, their graves can be seen on the way.
What you need to take with you to Shumak
1. Warm clothes and change of clothes.
On the pass it is possible to fall waist-deep into the snow, or in the direction of travel, get your feet wet in a mountain river. Change of shoes and underwear is a must.
On Shumak itself, even in July, the temperature drops to zero degrees at night. Get warm 🙂
2. Rubber boots are the best shoes.
2. Sunglasses. Despite the changes in the weather, the brightest sun in the mountains simply dazzles the eyes. Worse than in Cairo at the height of the season.
3. Water.
4. First aid kit (bandage, tourniquet, hydrogen peroxide)
5. Raincoats.
Lake Zolotoe is located down the Shumak River from the camp site. Walk on the left side and at the first stream to the left and up, photo: E. Bragin
Fresh mountain air, alpine landscape and "special" energy of this place will help restore health and gain vitality.
On the way to Shumak. photo: E.Bragin
Beautiful nature better than any doctor has a life-giving effect on health.
This lake is located on a mountain, immediately above the camp site on Shumak, photo: E.Bragin
Mountain lake, photo: E.Bragin
A trip to Shumak is a fascinating guide to the inner spiritual world. This is an opportunity to think about important things, to test yourself in difficult unusual situations, to feel responsible for yourself and others.
Bon Voyage!
Route July 2017: Irkutsk - Nilova Pustyn - Dry Creek - Shumak.
My dear friends, here I am back from an 11-day hike in the mountains of the Eastern Sayan, from "Little Tibet" as it is called by the people, from a place called "Shumak". It is known for its healing waters as one of the most inaccessible sources on the planet, many incredible legends and stories about the healing properties of Shumak mineral waters are written on the Internet - if you want, you can google it.
I had a desire to go to Shumak from the moment I moved to live in Irkutsk. And even earlier, I heard one legend about Genghis Khan, which said that Genghis Khan personally visited the Shumak springs for healing, and when he himself could not, on his behalf they brought healing water to him. The opportunity to go on a long trip to Shumak appeared only this summer of 2017.
There are three ways to get to Shumak: by helicopter, on horseback and on foot, there are several options for routes with hiking trails.
I stopped on a hike along the route from the Nilovaya Pustyn resort to the Shumak springs (3 days of travel). I planned to stay on Shumak for 4 days and return back along another path from Shumak to Arshan (4 days of travel). According to my calculations, with a 70 liter backpack on foot in 10-11 days it is really possible to overcome a distance of 120-140 km.
I didn’t bother much with the preparations for the trip, I downloaded the route map from the Internet, collected some information about Shumak on the Internet, bought food for 11 days, and booked a place on the Irkutsk-Sukhoi Ruchey shuttle bus in advance. I was going to go alone, I was mentally prepared, despite all sorts of excuses and stories of alarmists about bears, dangerous mountain rivers and paths, about tourists who died on the way to Shumak.
Day 1.
This long-awaited day of departure came, and with a 26 kg backpack behind me, I got into a minibus, at 8.00 it drove off from the bus station in Irkutsk.
In the minibus with me, young people went to Shumak, three groups were traveling, and each was going to go to Shumak by its own route. At 13.30 we arrived at the end station Dry Creek - this is the place from which the trail to Shumak begins, there is also a small base where you can stay for the night, leave the car in the parking lot, eat in the canteen and arrange a pick-up.
Before the road, I decided to refresh myself in the canteen, where I met guys from Irkutsk and Angarsk: Irina, Svetlana, Sergey and Alexander. Alexander and Svetlana had already been on Shumak before and knew the route well. I was offered to make a company and go to Shumak with them, I did not hesitate for a long time - I joined them.
We walked along the forest path, gradually gaining altitude. We stopped for the night in a clearing near forest lakes. I usually try to keep the food bag away from the tent and higher from the ground so as not to attract wild animals. They can smell food at a distance of more than a kilometer. Fatigue took its toll, I was too lazy to hide food, put it in a backpack and put the tents in the vestibule. At night, mice tried to get to food, got me, made holes in my backpack, I had to get up and put food on a tree.
Day 2
We left the clearing at 9.00, our path passed along the Ekhe-Ger river to the foot of the pass, the task for today is to cross the Shumaksky pass and stop for the night on mountain lakes. There are a lot of berries on the way along the forest path: honeysuckle, cranberries, blueberries, black and red currants, in August there are a lot of mushrooms. In the forest and in the mountains there are animals: musk deer, roe deer, mountain goat, elk, lynx, hare, bear.
Along the way, we met tourists, someone went alone, someone in organized groups. Often there are groups on horseback. Lunch break was arranged at a waterfall in the valley, half way to the pass.
We reached the Shumak pass by 17.00. We had to overcome the height of 2750 meters. The weather turned bad and it began to rain. A sharp change in the weather in the mountains is a normal phenomenon, at the beginning and at the end of summer even heavy snowfalls are possible here, which cover the path and make it difficult to navigate. Nevertheless, you should not be afraid of the pass, both children and the elderly go there. From the top of the Shumak pass, a magnificent view of the mountain lake and the valley of the Tunkinsky bald mountains opens up.
Unfortunately, there are people who did not reach the springs and died under various circumstances, their commemorative plaques can be seen on the way.
At 19.15 we descended from the pass and camped for the night near a mountain lake, setting up a tent camp. I didn’t have any strength left after overcoming the difficult transition, I quickly cooked dinner on the burner, ate and, happy, fell asleep.
Day 3
We left the lake at 9.05. Today we plan to get to the Shumak springs, the road is not difficult, the trail goes along the Shumak River. On the way I met a waterfall, its size is impressive, many tons of water fall into the canyon.
At 15.00 we reached our destination, behind the turnstile there is a specially protected natural area of regional importance "Shumak Nature Park". The territory of the park is fenced, the entrance is free. Outside the perimeter are winter roads, one of which we settled in.
In order to move in and live in a winter road, you need to know and follow a number of simple rules: each winter road has its own owner - this is the person who built the winter road, if you come and there are free places, you can take them, if there are no places, you can book and take when free. If the owner of the winter road or his relatives, as well as his friends, have come, the places will have to be vacated. Everything that is in the winter road can be used, including food.
Continuation of the story of travel to Shumak 2017 read in
First trip to the mountains! And I remember him forever))) (02.07.15-12.07.15)
Friends suggested visiting Shumak, at first I doubted it, but then I decided and agreed (and not in vain). We assembled a company of six people (these are those who eventually went, there were a lot of people who wanted to at first).
Road to Shumak!
There are three ways to get to the Shumak springs:
1. By helicopter from Irkutsk (it is expensive)
2. On horseback from the village of Nilova Pustyn (it also costs money)
3. And of course on foot! (to go 2-3 days)
I took a week off and I'm on my way! On the second of July at 8:00 we ordered a minibus from the city of Angarsk (Irkutsk region) to the village of Nilova Pustyn, you can also get to it by bus from Irkutsk or by car! Travel time takes 3-4 hours.
From the Nile Desert, the hiking route already begins! Exhale the last city air and go))))
First, the path goes through the forest, where all sorts of midges, flies and mosquitoes bother you. All the way we were reassured that they would soon end, as soon as the forest ended and we would be in the mountains. How we have been waiting for this moment!Our first overnight stay was on dry lakes in the forest. Where we got in the evening, we set up our tents and prepared for dinner. We spent the night, in the morning we packed our things and set off again, we had to reach the very pass in order to spend the night in front of it, and in the morning (up at 5 am) get into it already! The height of the pass is 2760 m. It was the last overnight stay, after the pass we had to reach Shumak itself.
It is not advised to climb the pass in the evening, because you will not have time to cross it. There is nowhere to hide from the bad weather on the pass itself. There is no firewood, and the wind can be so strong that it will blow the tents away. There is a sharp change in weather at the pass, almost always precipitation in the form of rain or snow, or rain turning into snow and back. Sudden violent gusts of wind. Even in the summer in July.
We were lucky with the weather and on the pass we were met by good weather, not counting the mountain wind)) Although it was even more pleasant with him, after a difficult climb, he helped a lot.
The view from the pass, of course, opens simply chic! The feeling cannot be expressed in words, and even the photo does not convey how beautiful it was.
While we were waiting for the rest, we managed to take beautiful photos and admire the beauty of the mountains, left an offering to the mountains, and asked for an easy way. After waiting for the rest, we began our descent, which was not as easy as we thought.There I learned about mountain rivers that rustle under my feet, under the thickness of stones. The mountain lake, which we could see from the pass, seemed so close, but in fact it turned out not to be so at all. We so wanted to reach it and take a dip from the heat, but it did not work out. The lake is so cold that the most desperate can swim in it.
After the lake, we were greeted by meadows, just like in an advertisement for a chocolate bar. milka, alpine meadows, only there were not enough cows)))
After alpine meadows, our path lay through forests, in some places we had to ford, through rivers that could rise very strongly in the rains, but we were lucky and they were not deep. If stones and boulders allowed, we just jumped on them)))
On the way there is a waterfall, in front of which people stop, some to have a bite, and some just to relax and take beautiful photos.
By evening, having finally reached the Shumak springs, we were looking for a winter hut where we would stay for these five days. It turns out that not everyone is lucky, and many stop to live in tents. But we were lucky and we found places in a good new winter hut near the river and the bridge (which leads to the other side, on which the springs themselves and the camp site are located)
Almost everyone who visits Shumak tries to put aside something about himself, all winter huts are decorated with fakes and inscriptions. And of course, we also decided to leave a memory of ourselves)))
Each of our mornings began with a transition to the other side to drink healing springs, of which there are more than 100 pieces. Each source has its own temperature and different composition. Each of them is signed and will help cure the disease (Pressure, Nerves, Kidneys, Stomach, Heart, Headaches, Women's and men's diseases, Vision). Also on Shumak there are mud springs and radon baths.
There are also many places on Shumak worth visiting. The most famous is the Sacred Pillars! As the Buryats say, this is where the spirit of Shumak lives.
It is here that couples come and ask for children. They say they will show up. People leave their offerings there and there are a lot of them.
There are also a lot of places on Shumak where you can go on an excursion, for example, there are also waterfalls, only they are marble, such beauty. The water is clear and blue like a lagoon. Go on an excursion to Mount Three Captains, or to the golden lake.
