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Winter Samarta to Dry Riverbed: Banzarov Pass, Motkiny Gorge and Shumak
- Distance
- 160.4 km
- Estimated moving time
- 1 d 3 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Hard
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Route description
Samarta to Dry Riverbed via Banzarov Pass and Shumak is a winter ski itinerary for an experienced self-sufficient group. Its opening river location lies above Samarta settlement. Malgaita-Daban leads into the Arlyk-Gol valley, and the next ascent towards Banzarov Pass reveals the Ospin-Ulan-Sardyk area. Valleys and pass openings provide the mountain setting; ascents of neighbouring summits are separate outings.
Barun-Ospa leads towards the Onot. Beyond it, Daban-Zhalga and Khan-Khushun-Daban connect towards the Kitoy basin. The mouth waterfall on the Ekhe-Gol needs independently prepared shore viewing and a bypass. The Kitoy then enters Motkiny Gorge, whose winter scenery does not establish safe ice. Shore connections and exits from confined reaches must be prepared afresh. A complete continuous permitted winter passage for this version is unconfirmed.
The Shumak stage climbs towards the Khuukhein-Khada pillars and the mineral-spring area. Explore them respectfully, without an assumption of bathing, treatment or supplied accommodation. The onward journey passes the Shumak Waterfall side and Shumak Pass before descending through the Ekhe-Ger towards Khubuty. The endpoint is at Dry Riverbed. Nilova Pustyn is a side for separately arranged onward departure, rather than the reached finish. Confirm present winter access, every shore bypass and the return before setting out. Choose an individually prepared stage or finish earlier where a permitted connection is absent.
Route markers
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Route status
Проверяем свежесть данных по треку и учитываем сообщения сообщества
Запретов на посещение и пожаров рядом нет
Проверяем спутниковые данные о пожарах и предупреждения по региону.
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source
Information prepared
The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.
Geometry imported from GPX. Trail conditions have not been checked in the field. Difficulty was estimated automatically from distance and elevation gain.
Last updated
13.10.2026
Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.
Current conditions
No recent trail condition reports
Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.
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Recent completions
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Elevation profile
gentle
climb
steep
There is no elevation data in the track for the chart.
Before you go
Всё важное о маршруте
Route at a glance
Главное за минуту
Explore two different Sayan settings: the pass valleys of the Arlyk-Gol and Barun-Ospa, then the confined Kitoy and Shumak banks. Motkiny Gorge gives the river stage a distinct character, the Khuukhein-Khada pillars add cultural meaning, and Shumak Pass reveals the southern side of the Tunkinsky mountains.
- Length
- 160.4 km
- Elevation gain
- —
- Surface
- Нет данных
Route suitability
Кому будет комфортно
Without a car - Hard
With children - No
With a dog - No data
By bike - No
With a stroller - No
Mobile signal - No data
For an experienced self-sufficient ski group with mountain and avalanche skills and preparation for ice and shore bypasses. The group needs an option to leave an unsafe canyon out and a prepared exit. A recreational ski trail, first winter expedition or family holiday with children does not match this version. Suitability with a dog for the full journey is unverified; protected-area conditions need separate checks. Reliable mobile coverage throughout is unestablished.
Nearby
Spartak Waterfall on the Barun-Ospa and the main Onot canyon need separately permitted approaches. The historical group bypassed their river side along a road; that does not confirm prepared winter viewing now. A waterfall step on the Daban-Zhalga does not replace a shore bypass either.
Ospin-Ulan-Sardyk, Banzarov Peak and Three Captains Peak are separate mountain objectives. Seeing a massif or crossing a namesake pass is not a summit ascent. Pushkin and Obzorny passes are not included as independent crossings.
Marble Waterfall lies off the main Shumak connection and needs a separately checked approach. Individual spring names such as Eyes, Radon and Selenium do not establish a treatment programme. Bathing, baths, accommodation and lodge services need separate agreement.
Nilova Pustyn lies beyond the endpoint at Dry Riverbed. Visiting its resort area and arranging onward transport are separate parts of the trip. The old Dry Creek lodge name does not guarantee a functioning food service or warm accommodation.
Getting there
Варианты и важные моменты
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Without a car
Direct public transport to the river start above Samarta and from the endpoint at Dry Riverbed is unconfirmed. Arrange transport for people, skis and self-sufficient supplies to the Samarta side separately. For departure towards Nilova Pustyn, confirm pickup at Dry Riverbed and onward connections in advance. A historical expedition’s arrangement with a driver is not evidence of a current service or an available pickup.
By car
The opening location is on the river side above Samarta settlement, so reaching the settlement does not mean reaching the start. Confirm road conditions, winter access and a permitted unloading point for the actual vehicle. Dry Riverbed is associated with a separate approach road from Nilova Pustyn; agree suitability and the meeting point in advance. Earlier summer access by a passenger car does not establish winter access. Moving a vehicle between the two ends while the group is in the mountains needs its own arrangement.
Parking
Parking is unconfirmed. Agree vehicle storage on the Samarta side and pickup at Dry Riverbed before the expedition. Old information about summer parking, a cafe and service prices does not confirm present winter operation. River ice and flood-prone banks are unsuitable places to leave a car.
Электрички туда и обратно
Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут
What to expect
Places
Difficult sections and safety
На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainДанные по набору высоты уточняются.
SurfaceТип покрытия пока не определён.
Риски
A complete continuous permitted winter path for this version is unestablished. Before setting out, the leader must verify actual valley connections, shore bypasses, pass approaches and backup endpoints. Cutting river bends across slopes or continuing in the channel below waterfall steps is not a prepared solution. Use a separately permitted bypass, a shorter stage or leave the complete journey out if a required connection is unverified.
Banzarov and Shumak passes add avalanche slopes, cornices, rocks hidden by snow and loss of visibility. Crossings may require mountain safety cover and travel on foot. Do not repeat old ascent or descent lines without a present assessment. Limited snow does not establish safety.
The Onot, Ekhe-Gol, Kitoy and Shumak include ice overflow, open water and confined banks. Leaving the water or reaching shore can be difficult in Motkiny Gorge and Shumak Canyon. Earlier group marks do not establish strong ice. Prepare the Ekhe-Gol waterfall shore bypass beforehand and retain the option to omit viewing. Avoid guessing a way around unfamiliar pools in darkness.
Obtain the visit permission required for the southern Tunkinsky National Park stage and confirm this particular winter itinerary. Check conditions for the Shumak spring area separately. General visit permission does not establish safe ice, usable canyon bypasses or functioning huts.
How much time to allow
Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути
1 d 3 h
С запасом на остановки
+ 30–60 мин
A multi-day plan by individual day is unestablished, and the full time for this exact version is also unestablished. Prepare a new schedule after checking shore bypasses, present snow, passes and departure from Dry Riverbed. Allow separate reserve time for safety preparation, carrying equipment, drying clothing, weather and an earlier finish. The historical duration of another group is not your timetable. Prepare overnight stops, water and fuel within a self-sufficient plan; huts are not guaranteed accommodation. Register the route with EMERCOM and agree check-in messages and confirmation of return.
Best time to go
Сезонность и рекомендации
What to bring
Базовый список для комфортного похода
FAQ
Questions before the trip
Can I do this route without a car?
Direct public transport to the river start above Samarta and from the endpoint at Dry Riverbed is unconfirmed. Arrange transport for people, skis and self-sufficient supplies to the Samarta side separately. For departure towards Nilova Pustyn, confirm pickup at Dry Riverbed and onward connections in advance. A historical expedition’s arrangement with a.
Is this route suitable for children?
Do not treat this as a basic child-friendly route: check difficulty, length, and trail conditions before going.
Can I download GPX and KML?
Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 160.4 km, hard.
Route photos
2 photos
Photo authors and sources
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Route photo 1
не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикацииOriginal source
Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.
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Route photo 2
не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикацииOriginal source
Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.
-
Route photo 3
не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикацииOriginal source
Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.
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