By Алексей Широков
The White Water of Siberia Forum 2020, has started in the Altay mountains and rivers of central Russia. About 50 rafters from six countries gathered in Altay republic, Russia for great extreme adventures in the Altay mountains and rivers.
This is the fifth year of the forum, which takes place in Altay and is organised by Федерация Рафтинга России / Russian Rafting Federation.
Professional rafters and amateurs came from Belarus, Abkhazia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Ukraine and Latvia to exchange their rafting and cultural experience and paddle in the whitewater of Altay rivers.
Forum started with motorafting down the Katun river and the Kamyshlinskiy waterfall.
On the second day participants hiked up to the top of the mount Kir Kechu – the way of pilgrims with breathtaking views of the valley of Katun river and ancient Altay kurgans. Beginners learned whitewater rafting safety tips by Open and Junior World Rafting champions. They are working at the forum as rafting guides and as the rescue team.
On the third day participants saw the famous petroglyphs Kalbak Tash and went to raft the famous Chuya river. It’s one of the most popular and famous Altay rivers. The first world rafting championship took place here in 1989. Rafters passed through rapids and had lots of extreme fun.
The next day everyone went tracking to the glacier Aktru – the biggest glacier in Altay republic. After seven hours of hiking the views definitely made it worthwhile at the turquoise lake near the glacier.
Coming up next in the White Water of Siberia Forum 2020
Over the next two days rafters will go to the valley of the river Mazhoy to the mount Ur-Kutay and raft down Katun river, which became a tradition of the forum and called “Friendship of nations” rafting. They will paddle for five hours in 10 boats.
All the participants have different rafting and cultural background, professional and life experience. This annual forum unites them all: in boats, at mountain passes and near the fire places under the stars.
You can follow the social media for the White Water of Siberia Forum 2020 on Facebook here.
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