The journey does not begin with the road, but with the preparation for it. You need to prepare especially carefully if you are going on vacation to a mountainous area.
The climate of Adygea.
Adygea has a unique climatic zone, which is determined by its geographical location. Mountain ranges, the proximity of the Black Sea, wide plains, forests, gorges of mountain rivers form a fairly warm and mild climate with the purest mountain air and moderate humidity.
On average, the Republic of Adygea has 200-250 sunny days per year and 115-150 days with precipitation. Precipitation distribution is uneven, especially in mountainous areas.
The wind depends on the terrain: strong winds can blow in the open space of the Lago Naki Plateau, and there is little wind in the forests and gorges. The main thing to remember is that a strong wind from the sea always brings warm and good weather.
Our routes and weather
To choose the right equipment for your vacation, you need to understand that our routes are located in two climatic zones. The base is located somewhere in the middle between them (1100 m above sea level). The higher up the mountain, the lower the temperature. In May and June, the contrasts are especially noticeable: everything is blooming and warm below, while in the mountains there are flowers and snow.
The "lower" routes are located in the foothills with a warm, mild climate: Rufabgo waterfalls, Khadjokh Gorge, Meshoko Gorge, Granite Canyon and rafting on the Belaya River, Guzeripl eco-center, Eagle Shelf and Guam Gorge, thermal springs.
The "upper" routes are located in the southern, but already mountainous part of Adygea, which is characterized by a cooler high-altitude climate: this is definitely the Lago Naki Plateau, climbing the city of Oshten and a walk through Kurdzhips, as well as wild caves. Snow in the highlands lies until the middle of May, sometimes until the end of the month. The main danger in the mountains: winds and sudden weather changes. Important: when climbing the city of Oshten, hail, snow, strong wind, and sudden temperature changes may begin.
Before traveling, be sure to check the weather forecast for your vacation week by location.
To make it easier to navigate, we divided the items into groups. Each one listed the required items. Additional notes as desired.
documents
- Russian Federation passport (internal) - just in case, print out a copy of the main page of the passport and send the scan to yourself by e-mail.
- Medical insurance policy (compulsory medical insurance and optional medical travel insurance against accidents).
- Bank card (shops have card payments, there are ATMs in the village, many souvenir shops accept transfers).
- Cash (to pay for the transfer, additional services in the form of baths and massages, for buying souvenirs and gifts).
- Documents for the child: 1) passport, 2) birth certificate, 3) student's certificate (if you are traveling by train).
GADGETS
- Smartphone and charging: there is almost no steady Internet signal in the mountains, so if you need offline maps, music, books, videos, and TV series, it's better to download them in advance.
- In our database, only Beeline provides good Internet access. At the Gorny summer glamping camp, all operators are caught.
- Powerbank or compact external battery (optional: our base has electricity).
- Headphones (optional: for airplane, train, listening to music in the evening).
- Sleep mask, earplugs, inflatable pillow (optional: for flights, trains).
You can leave the hair dryer at home – we issue it at the base.
MEDICAL PREPARATIONS
All that your doctor has prescribed for you. Additionally, we take: "from the head", "from the stomach", antispasmodics, from allergies.
USEFUL EQUIPMENT:
- Swimming trunks/swimsuit and flip-flops (not flip-flops!) – for thermal springs, rafting, canyoning and swimming in waterfalls.
- A small backpack (20-30 liters) – it is convenient to take things with you for a walk.
- The tourist seat (trunk, podpopnik) is collapsible or with an elastic band. The price starts from 250 rubles.
- Sunglasses (polarized ones are better, because they protect the eyes from white snow).
- The poncho raincoat is thick (! required): cellophane bags for 100-200 rubles will not last even a day.
- Hiking gaiters or flashlights for feet: from mud and rain. The price is 800-1000 rubles. It's a useful thing in the mountains.
- A hermetic package for your phone and photo and video equipment (in case of rain and for canyoning). You can replace it with a cellophane bag as a last resort.
- Gardening/construction rubberized gloves 1 pair (optional). The price is 50-250 rubles. They are great for helping with "dirty" weather.
- Refillable water bottle or small 500 ml thermos (optional).
- Trekking poles (optional). If you have a problem with your knees, hip joints, or ankles, they will help you a lot. If your sticks don't fit in your luggage, don't worry – we'll give you sticks at the base for the whole week of your vacation.
HYGIENE AND COSMETICS
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Deodorant.
- Shampoo and balm (100 ml each is enough for a week).
- Shower gel 100 ml / soap + washcloth.
- Cotton swabs and discs.
- Hairbrush.
- Sunscreen SPF 80+ for May and June, 50..35+ for July and August.
- Hygienic lipstick or lip balm (required! for both boys and girls – from the wind and the sun).
TRAVEL SHOES and CLOTHES
When choosing clothes to participate in an active tour, keep in mind that they should protect you from wind, rain (even snow in the mountains, miracles happen in summer), sun and mechanical damage (branches, grass, stones). We recommend taking specialized clothing for tourism and sports made of synthetic materials, as it provides good ventilation, dries quickly, does not crease, and is more comfortable when moving. The main principle is layering: hot – undressed, cold – insulated.
shoes. Comfortable sports shoes. Two pairs of waterproof and non-slip soles are required!
- The first pair is lightweight and quick–drying sneakers with non-slip soles (for walking, canyoning and rock climbing).
- The second pair is trekking shoes, cross-country sneakers. If you have trekking boots, they will also work (especially if the tour includes climbing the city of Oshten).
- Rubber flip-flops for visiting thermal springs and walking around the base by number.
clothes. In summer, take clothes for hot and cool rainy weather.
For cold weather
- Jacket (windproof, waterproof).
- Hiking pants (windproof, waterproof).
- Fleece jacket (required! – for all weather conditions).
- Down or fleece vest (optional).
- A set of lightweight thermal underwear (optional).
- Warm wool socks (merino, alpaca) 1 pair. Look at the fishing shop – they know a lot about warm clothes.
- A fleece hat (believe me, it may come in handy).
- Fleece gloves (believe me, they may come in handy).
For climbing the city of Oshten:
- Thermal underwear for sports (for temperatures from -5.. to +15 ° C). It can be used as a bottom layer in the evening at a campground and at night instead of pajamas).
- Fleece gaiter (buffy) / warm shawl – to insulate the throat and neck.
- Note: do not forget the fleece hat and gloves! They are definitely needed here.
For warm weather
- Synthetic T-shirts 2-3 pieces, one of them with long sleeves!
- Shorts / light hiking or sweatpants.
- Trekking summer socks 2-3 pairs. You can use the usual ones.
- A hat for sunny weather is a cap/panama hat.
To avoid forgetting anything, print out this list. Mark with pluses everything that you have and you want to take. Exclude everything you can do without from the list.