The Snezhnaya River attracts a large number of rafting enthusiasts annually. Stormy streams of a mountain river flowing into Lake Baikal originate in the Tyryngyn mountains, gaining speed from a height of 2300 meters on the northern Khamar-Daban ridge. This full-flowing river is one of the four largest rivers in the region. In the 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 adventures seek it, why it attracts fishermen and water tourists so much. We will also tell you how to get there, explain the difficulties of the river’s location, the difficulty categories of passing the rapids, which fish can be caught in the water, which animals can be found 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 m 2. Going down the mountain ridge, the river flows into the gorge between Khamar-Daban and the Khangarul ridge. This is a longitudinal hollow separating mountain peaks.
The Snezhnaya riverbed is rather winding, shallow shivers cross rough streams, but enormous boulders also meet along the water path, forming seething rapids of various complexity categories. In the lower reaches of the river there is a beautiful 12-meter waterfall under the local name "Flight of the squirrel", in Buryat sounds like Khirmin-Dulu, which you can see in the photo below.
There are two very difficult rapids on the river, which ordinary amateurs pass by, because it is not in vain 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 inaccessible 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, Kabansky district. On the left bank of the river there is a village called Novosnezhnaya, belonging to the administrative region of the Irkutsk region of the Slyudyansky district.
In the course of the water stream, rocky mountains and green valleys, dense coniferous and deciduous forests are found. Since this region 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, so the area of the Snezhnaya River and the entire Baikal region are often shaken by earthquakes.
Fauna of the shores
Deaf, uninhabited riverbanks are places 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 Manchurian deer. In the forests and valleys you can see a lot of birds. Of the predators, there is a large and incredibly beautiful white-tailed eagle, which hunts for a black grouse or Daurian partridge.
Inhabits the area of the river the Snow Muskrat and water vole, there is a black-capped marmot and a chipmunk. Arriving as water tourists or traveling along the mountain ranges, you need to stay in group. Wild animals are instinctively afraid of a person, therefore, having heard the speech of people, they are hardly suitable to watch. However, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules of behavior in wild places before the trip, do not seduce the bears with food smells, and do not leave food near the camp.
Fishing on the Snezhnaya River
The first name of the river is associated with the snow lying in the mountains along the path of the water stream, which does not melt even in summer. The second name of the river is Udulha, which is translated from Buryat as a fish river. This is encouraging for fishermen who decide to go fishing in such wild places. There are really a lot of fish in the river. This is 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.
Experienced fishermen advise you to move through the Langutai gate to the exit to Bayri, then go down a bit downstream to the confluence of Yunkutsuk. There is just gorgeous fishing in the summer on grayling.
The best places for fishing in deep water beyond the rapids, in shallow water you can catch little things in your ear.
Shipping
The inflow of Baikal, the Snezhnaya River is incredibly popular among lovers of fast water and adrenaline rush. Sailing along rocky sections of shiver, it is quite difficult to cope with a kayak or raft. The speed of the current in such places is incredibly high, often oblique or erect waves arise, sometimes you can get into the barrel - these are water holes behind a pile of stones.
On the way, there is a high probability of a reverse flow. It is rather difficult to determine the direction of water in shivers, therefore it is advisable to reconnaissance from the coast before the movement, to choose a place for future approach. Shivers in some places of the river can have a length of several kilometers, often they are before the ship enters the rapids.
Rapids of the river
Lotsiya Snezhnaya River consists of alternating shiver and rapids of different categories of complexity. Before the rafting, it is advisable to purchase a map of the locality at travel agencies in order to keep abreast of the emerging changes in the relief of the river.
Basically, Snezhnaya's rapids are of category IV complexity. These are such transitions as Marble, Caliber, Fang, Pelota, Track, Gates, Elephant, Twisty and several smaller ones. It is not so difficult to pass them, having experience of alloys for more quiet rivers. The length of the rapids can be from several tens to 300 meters. Powerful shafts end with sharper and more gentle drains, in which the water speed increases sharply.
Difficult thresholds
The first difficult section, which is prohibited for kayaking, is the Kharmyn-Dulu waterfall. This is a very dangerous place that has been passed by units of experienced athletes. Fans are strictly forbidden to go the distance on 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 rumble of water and feel the power of a mountain river.
After the waterfall, two more complex rapids follow. This is "Toad" and "Snowflake", a photograph of which you see above. They are assigned the 6th category of complexity. Inexperienced athletes are also advised to cross the coast. The photo shows how strong the seething stream is; the ship is literally dragged by whirlpools under water.
"Toad" has a length of 60 meters. The name of the threshold was due to the cliff, similar to a sitting toad, which is located on the right side. At this point, the channel is divided by low cliffs into three streams. The left passage bends around the rock and the drain occurs to the right. The central stream begins with a sharp discharge ending in a narrowing in the rocks. On the right, the movement of the vessel is complicated by the presence of a comb and a clamp to a perpendicular rock. After the threshold, the channel expands significantly.
The threshold "Snowflake" 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 boiling white foam alternate with two drains, arranged in series one after another. If you decide not to take risks, but to bypass such a difficult threshold, then it is better to do this on the left side of the coast.
