There is a category of people who are indifferent to the comfort of urban apartments. The beaches of the warm seas do not bring them joy. Cozy liner cabins and rooms in star hotels are tiring.
Serve the impregnable mountains, the raging ocean, desert sands to such fidgets. There are more and more outdoor enthusiasts every year.
Tourists and travelers with experience choose difficult routes, unpaved paths. For beginners and lovers of a more relaxing holiday, the Chusovaya River in the Urals is suitable.
River description
Chusovaya translated from local dialects means "fast water". This statement is true. The pristine beauty of the river is worth it at least once to pass through the water and spend several days on its banks.
It stretched for almost 600 km across the territory of two regions and the Perm Territory. It originates in the Big Chusovskoye lake , moves through the Ural Mountains and flows into the Kama. It feeds from numerous tributaries, eight of which are especially large.
On the banks there are large cities - industrial centers of the Urals, small towns and villages. On the reservoirs, in the river basin, so that the rafting on Chusovaya is convenient for lovers of active sports, there are recreation centers, tourist centers, and boarding houses.
In those parts, this river is considered one of the most picturesque. The intricate shape of the rock, which is called stones, adds a unique charm to the landscape. Surrounded by centuries-old forests, the winding channel of Chusovoy is interspersed with silent reaches and rumbling rifts.
Geographic features
Like all mountain rivers, Chusovaya winds between mountains and individual rocks. In this regard, the depth and width of the river are not the same everywhere. In April, when ice is opened, the water level rises to 4 meters, and the river floods all coastal meadows and copses.
After ice drift, rafting along Chusovaya can be dangerous. The permeability of water is almost zero, so there is a chance of colliding with a pitfall or moss.
By mid-May, the level and speed of the water flow are falling, and its depth does not exceed four meters. The main channel in narrow places has a width of up to 30 meters, sometimes this value can reach more than 100 meters.
At the beginning of summer, numerous shallow waters appear with clear water and a beautiful pebble bottom. Guardian rocks majestically freeze on the shores. This is the best time when the Chusovaya River is ready to receive its fans.
The highest air temperature in those places is observed in July, but rest can be spoiled by rains. This month has the highest rainfall.
In dry years, usually towards the end of summer, large shoals appear, and water can completely disappear at rifts. Autumn replenishes the channel with its rains. But rest on the river with the onset of September is only suitable for professionals. Frequent drizzling rains and frosts in the morning do not like unprepared beginners.
It is covered with durable Chusovaya ice by November. Exceptions occur when freezing starts sooner or later.
Chusovaya: water route
For the convenience of travelers, a river location was created. Chusovaya from the end of the XIV century attracted merchants, industrialists and naturalists. Scientific expeditions from academies, universities and enthusiasts laid convenient routes.
The study of weather conditions, currents, rocky emissions to the surface, rifts, reaches, bends - all reflected on the map of the river, simplifying the way of sailing every year.
Competently planned rafting in Chusova will help to leave an unforgettable experience. The route is developed taking into account the wishes and skills of travelers.
Very popular is the middle section of the river. It is there that the most picturesque places open, and on the rafting path there are no high and steep rapids. In this place blockages and long dry shoals are very rarely formed.
Going around the village of Sloboda, the river forms another loop and leads to a number of rocks along the coast: St. George and Dog ribs. After them appears Walk-stone, well-known for the film "Thunder". This is the beginning of the route.
Passing the village of Kamenka, the channel is leveled and resembles an almost straight arrow. Travelers have the opportunity to admire the beauties of the island or make a stop in the village of Nizhny, take a stroll through the shallow channels.
Followed by shaitan-stone. It has a watermark in the river for 1911. One can only imagine how wide and deep the channel was in those days.
After Senkin and Hanging stones, a section of an ideal smooth surface of several kilometers comes again.
In the area of the suspension bridge you can see the tributary - the Treka River, and behind it - Boyarin stone and the island. For the safety of the alloy, the fairway runs to the right.
From this place, ridges of rocky emissions begin both on the shore and in the riverbed. Some of them hang over the water, have caves, washings at the base. Their length is kilometers. Water jets boil, enticing inexperienced travelers into whirlpools.
Near the Blue Stone there are many underwater obstacles, sometimes invisible. This segment of the road is famous for rifts and fighters. This is the name of the stones that are in the riverbed and are considered especially dangerous for rafting. Balaban, one of them, has a height above water of 40 meters.
After the white cliffs of the Ships, the village of Chusovoye and the dam - again a segment of rifts to the village of Martyanovo. It is also recommended to make a stop and take a walk along the shore to the nearest cliffs and explore the caves.
Behind the reach and village of Sulem, a series of cliffs and islands begins again. Some of them are geological monuments of nature. The route ends near the stone cross, established by Nikita Demidov in honor of the birth of his son.
Describing all the sights and simply beautiful places, you can compile a full report on the water trip.
But the purpose of this article is different: to show those who wish the opportunity to make rafting on the river, not even having basic skills. A breathtaking experience will stay with you for a long time.
Alloy
Rafting along Chusova is planned by employees of organizations that promote active types of recreation. Some travel agencies offer short safe routes for a period of 1 day to a week.
Every year, the Ural river attracts those who wish to merge with nature, test their strength, and experience the original nature of the surrounding landscape.
Water tourism on Chusovaya has a long tradition. Instructors planning routes do not increase the category of difficulty above the second. But for real extreme professionals, rafts are organized in the very beginning of May along a stormy flood.
After a drop in water level, only places under bridges near piers and in shallow rifts with large stones at the bottom are a difficulty. There, travelers have to drag catamarans for rafting on themselves.
No photograph can convey the enthusiasm that you experience while relaxing on the river. Rafting on Chusova is offered as a vacation for the whole family, an experienced instructor acts as a companion. He performs the duties of a guide, telling about everything that is revealed to the eye.
Corporate alloy
Recently, it has become a good tradition for reputable companies to arrange vacations for their employees. Many large corporations have a cohesion policy. People who teamed up during a vacation are able to work more fruitfully, to carry out tasks in a coordinated manner, to help and support each other.
Animators develop programs for significant dates, such as anniversaries. For several years now, a service package has been in demand, which includes rafting on the Chusovaya River. In order to end the day with a dinner by the fire and relax in a tent on the river bank, you need to combine the strength and will of the whole team and go on the right path through the water.
You can hold a corporate event with an alloy in the vicinity of the territory of any boarding house or recreation center, a sufficient number of which, especially in the areas of natural reservoirs, can satisfy the most refined taste.
Weekend Trekking
Holidays with rafting on Chusova in the family or friends will be one of the unforgettable events in life.
It is a pity that this is becoming almost unattainable due to the rapid rhythm in which modern man lives. Often, work and rest schedules do not match. Weekend hiking trips can help out in such a situation.
According to the reviews of those who used Saturday and Sunday for rafting, one can judge the benefits of such a holiday. The situation when you find yourself in the same boat helps to resolve long-standing conflicts. Being in a difficult situation, you feel how dear people are with whom you live side by side.
For example, the participants of one family rafting in two days resolved all the issues that prevented them from living in a shared apartment.
The enthusiastic reviews of the mother-in-law are pleasing. For ten years she considered her son-in-law worthless and spoiled her daughter's life with reproaches. A weekend trip with a rafting in Chusova managed to change her mind and helped her to value her husband's dignity.
Everyone has the right to decide how to take a break from the work week, but as one of the wise noted: “The best way to relax is to change occupation.” Rafting along the beautiful picturesque river will be a worthy option.
Alloy Tools
On the Chusovaya River, catamarans for rafting, rubber boats and rafts are used. Different means are used depending on the time of year and part of the river .
Rubber boats are good in shallow water and high water. In the first case, they are used for small groups and large segments of dry shallows. The light weight of the craft allows you to quickly and easily carry it. In high water, it is also easier for experienced boaters to handle a rubber boat because it has a large degree of cushioning and light weight.
The most popular alloy tool is a catamaran. It is relatively light, stable through the use of additional ballast. If desired, and small skills, you can assemble it yourself.
For this, two narrow boats are taken and transversely connected by lags, boards, thin logs. Stones, stumps, chocks are laid on the transverse flooring as ballast. In dry areas, excess cargo is dumped, twin boats are easily dragged into deep water, and the cargo returns to its place.
Modern rafting provides maximum comfort. On a wide stable base, a tent, a table with chairs are easily placed, there is a place for a hearth. The advantages of rafts in clean water are undeniable. They are also used during rafting on straight sections of the route or as walking aids on reservoirs and lakes.
In the old days, rafts and barges were used on Chusovaya. To get acquainted with these types of ships, you need to go back several centuries.
A bit of history
The first steps in the development of Chusova as a way to transport goods were taken by merchants in the XIV century. At that time, salt, bread, forest, furs, and meat were transported along the river.
Rafting was not particularly reliable. Rafts spun in rapids, smashed against stones. The rowers perished, the merchant people suffered losses. Short navigation periods also dictated their conditions.
By the time of the reign of Peter I, the situation had changed radically. In the Urals, they began to mine ore and pour metal. For ease of transportation, villages began to grow like mushrooms after rain on the banks of Chusovaya. Each had a storehouse (warehouse), a marina and a shipyard.
Before the ice drift, goods were transported to the nearest marinas, and work was in full swing at the shipyards. There were built barges. These huge boats from centennial pine trees reached a length of forty meters, and a displacement of more than 200 tons.
In spring, hundreds of barge haulers gathered for the river in search of a job. Their duties included the following: push the barque into the water, pull it off the shallows and dried rifts.
Rafting on Chusovaya went to the industrial level. To increase the navigation period, ice was broken ahead of schedule and flushed water from neighboring ponds. The barges were pushed into the river and loaded there.
Mom-Sibiryak, long before the onset of the 20th century, predicted a tourist future for the river, because on it everyone will find a place for relaxation and inspiration.
River basin
The Chusovaya River with all its tributaries, ponds, reservoirs, elders and tributaries forms a single water basin, which is fed mainly from thawed snow and precipitation. A small part falls on the underground springs.
Heavy rains can raise the water level in the river by several meters per day. As you know, the alloy needs a current. A large influx of water makes this need a must. In the mountainous part and at rifts, the current velocity reaches 20 kilometers per hour.
The river basin is fed by about 200 large and small rivers. Over its length there are 100 islands and approximately 70 major rapids. Some cliff fighters have a height of up to one hundred meters.
Flora and fauna of Chusovoy
For fishing enthusiasts, weekend trips are of particular interest. Chusova's waters are still rich in fish. There are predatory breeds: zander, pike, perch. For drying, you can use huster and chekhon. Grayling and taimen are found in the tributaries, and the elders will please with a molt.
The forests surrounding the river are full of berries and mushrooms. You can hunt for waterfowl and forest birds, hares, squirrels. There are wild boars and moose.
Thus, the river and the surrounding area can provide not only emotional satisfaction, but also feed.
Chusovaya in art and life
The amazing natural power of the river gave inspiration to many people of art. About her beauties and people living in those parts, wrote Ivanov, Mamin-Sibiryak, Reshetnikov.
The artist Shardakov included the river in one of the paintings of the cycle about Ermak. Peter Vereshchagin at the end of the XIX century loved to be in the Urals. He often and with great pleasure painted landscapes, where the main character was Chusovaya.
Grigory Alexandrov found in those parts of nature for the filming of the legendary film "Volga-Volga." It has an episode of rafting and barge rafting.
And of course, the deaf places and the harsh rocky spurs of the shores did not ignore the notorious Gulag. On the ruins of the former colony, a museum was organized for prisoners, the exposition of which reminds those living about years of unjust repression.
Natural Park " Chusovaya River"
One hundred and fifty kilometers of the water area are part of the natural park. If we consider the categories of water trips, it should be noted that not only rafting is provided here, but also pedestrian crossings, and familiarization with natural and historical monuments.
The park was organized at the beginning of the XXI century, but it has already gained popularity among tourists. Its main task is to preserve the river and its natural environment. The Directorate will organize new routes, lay trails, arrange parking. The huntsmen patrol, preventing poaching.
Conclusion
With proper and careful use, the natural resources of the Urals will please posterity for a long time to come. The Chusovaya River, and in many years will also attract fans to test themselves during the rafting. Gigantic stones will not cease to carry out their security service.