Sharkyratma Waterfall

Sharkyratma Waterfall

It is located about a 40-minute walk from the alpine camp on the way to the Ratsek stops. The cascade of rapids and small waterfalls begins about 80-100 meters above the crossing of the river with the trail. The first icy wall is about 2 meters high and can be passed or bypassed right there along a rocky ledge. It gets more and more interesting from there.

The cascade ends with a three-tiered waterfall: the lower ledge is approximately 70 degrees and 8-9 meters high, followed by a flat platform; the middle ledge has an overall slope of 75-85 degrees and is 25-26 meters high, also with a flat platform; the upper ledge is 70-80 degrees and 6-8 meters high. The upper ledge flows over a large stone, under which a small cave forms. Further on, the gorge widens.

About 400 meters along the calm part of the gorge and the confluence of the two streams that form Sharkyratma, there are more cascades.

A small river with the secret name Shark-Karatma, which can be jumped across on stones in summer, offers wide opportunities for ice climbers. Several frosty days turn the streams and small waterfalls into an excellent ice climbing area with diverse terrain. The ice is powdered, flowing, thin, thick, and frozen in shady spots to such an extent that tools with factory sharpening do not hold in it at all.

The ice climbing season for Sharkyratma is from January to early March. November and December are practically dry months when the water disappears deep among the stones and there is still no ice. The river is characterized by melting from the top all winter from noon to evening, flowing slightly under the ice. Therefore, the ice constantly forms anew.