Kora River Gorge 

Kora gorge at the moment is the most popular place of Zhetisu (Jungar) Alatau. It is located in the western part of Glavnyi ridge. Gorge from Sapozhnikov glacier till the confluence with Karatal river has a length of about 70 km and is oriented in the latitudinal direction from west to east.
Kora river is formed by the confluence of three rivers formed from Sapozhnikov, Bezsonov and Tronov glaciers.
Kora river takes the southern tributaries of Shegirbulak, Kaskabulak rivers in the upper reaches, then inflows of Tyuite and Sadyrtas. One of the major tributaries of Kora river is a tributary of Burkhanbulak. In the lower reaches - Asylbay river. There are 20 minor tributaries lower from Asylbay inflow, which do not affect the increase in water flow in Kora river from both the right and left sides of the gorge. Some of these streams, flowing down from the north left slope of the gorge, are seasonal in nature and operate only during the snowmelt.
Kora gorge in the north is limited by Karatau ridge and Mynshukyr mountains. The main ridge of Zhetisu Alatau stretches from the south, separating valleys of Kora and Koksurivers, as well as Zhamankol and Mynzhylky mountains, separating Kora river gorge from Chizhe river gorge. The maximum height of the gorge is 3919 meters at the top, towering above the circus of Bezsonov glacier.
Kora gorge is deep, in the lower reaches of its depth reaches 700-800 m. It is narrow, the river takes up almost the entire bottom of the valley, but the valley expands in the middle reaches, its depth is up to 1000 m. Mountainous part of the gorge reaches already a depth of 1200 m.
Northern (left) slopes are covered with dense mixed forest; southern (right) have meadow-steppe vegetation. Vast surfaces of the southern slopes differ by powerful rock outcrops of pink and gray colors.
The rocks on the slopes have stepped structure; and flowing water forms unique waterfalls. The northern slopes have also considerable toughness, and there are the waterfalls too. River flows from small circus Below Asylbay river in the first half of the summer. It runs down the slope with a series of stages, and little further 3-4 waterfall, falling from the rocky slopes, can be seen in the circus. An unusual waterfall called "Plachushie skaly" or "Stena placha" is located in three kilometers from the descent from Kapal.
Right tributary of Burkhanbulak river flows into Kora gorge and falls by three stages from 120-meter height in the valley. This is the highest waterfall in the Almaty oblast and called Burkhanbulak. the waterfall is probably named after Oirat military leader, who converted to Islam and moved to the side of Chinese troops that were sent to crush Jungar Khanate in the middle of the XVIII century. During this period he was the ruler of the land of East Turkistan and Zhetisu. There is speculation that his army was placed in Kora gorge little below the waterfall.
Waterfall is "dressed" in the snow and ice coat in winter, and ice bridge is retained over the cup until late spring. The maximum water flow occurs in July, it justifies its character at this time. Water flows down as the enormous flow, hiding ledges and steps, making millions of splashes all around.
Very beautiful small lake, framed by flowering fields, is at the confluence of Kora and Tentekbulak. The lake is called "Silver hoof", as the tale of the Ural writer P. Bazhov.
A large stone, lying separately, is located on the picturesque glade under the rocky slopes, below the falls. This stone, fallen from the cliffs, has dimensions of about 15x20 meters and a height of 7 meters. It is linked with a legend, which gave it the name "Holy Stone". The legend says: "Once upon a time, there was a small village in a mountain gorge. People lived in prosperity and did not know the ills and diseases. However, a strong earthquake had violated a steady flow of life. A huge stone, destroying everything in its path, rolled from the top of the hill. At this time the woman was giving a birth to a child in one of the yurts, which stood in the way of the stone blocks. There was a baby cry, and miracle happened: the stone suddenly stopped in a few centimeters to the yurt ". Since then, this stone is said to be saint.
Dirt road, which can be passed only on terrain vehicle or a tractor, was in Kora gorge until 2010. Ten apiaries are located in the lowest and steepest part of the gorge on different sides of the river and at some distance from each other.
One of sections of the gorge is called "Belyi yar". The water in this place sweeps so rapidly between huge rocks and through numerous rapids that becomes white, which also increases the lime slurry contained in the water of the river.
Band: Huma-Huma
Track: Hydra
Genre: Ambient
Mood: calm
source: RU-vid Audio Library
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