Kazakhstan's high-altitude areas attract mountain-lovers from all over the world because of the great variety of trails in the Western, Northern and Central Tien-Shan (3,000 to 7,000 m). The peaks of the Northern Tien-Shan (Zaili Alatau and Kungei Alatau) are not far from Almaty (3,800 to 5,000 m). With around 250 trails and summits, mountaineers are spoilt for choice. The relief demands various types of ascent - rock, rock/ice, ice and combined ascents. There are several ways of getting there: by helicopter, jeep, cable car or on foot. Fifty or so peaks in the Western Tien-Shan, at altitudes of 3,000 to 4,500 m, are hidden by cliffs.
The Central Tien-Shan is for really expert mountaineers: 200 peaks ranging from 4,500 to 6,500 m, ing team is considered one of the best in the world. The thrilling but dangerous sport of heli-skiing - skiing down mountain tops - is popular. When the international Khan-Tengri festival was held here in 2000, bringing together 520 visitors and 74 mountaineers, a descent by paraglider (5,600 m) was demonstrated for the first time in the history of the Central Tien-Shan. including the most northerly 7,000ers in the world - Khan-Tengri (7,010 m) and Pobedy (7,439 m). A new record was set for the fastest ascent of the peak -12 hours 21 minutes (rather than six days). No wonder Kazakhstan's mountaineer.
Kazakhstan's high-altitude areas attract mountain-lovers from all over the world because of the great variety of trails in the Western, Northern and Central Tien-Shan (3,000 to 7,000 m). The peaks of the Northern Tien-Shan (Zaili Alatau and Kungei Alatau) are not far from Almaty (3,800 to 5,000 m). With around 250 trails and summits, mountaineers are spoilt for choice. The relief demands various types of ascent - rock, rock/ice, ice and combined ascents. There are several ways of getting there: by helicopter, jeep, cable car or on foot. Fifty or so peaks in the Western Tien-Shan, at altitudes of 3,000 to 4,500 m, are hidden by cliffs.
