We continue the review of different options of spending time outdoors, in group: summer, autumn and winter are good seasons to explore the high mountains. Let’s climb a peak, or a glacier! As our experience shows, this type of activity looks good for any kind of team, with any goals or interests (high school students, company employees,  active friends' communities etc.). After all, the main thing here is a joint action in unusual and sometimes extreme conditions, complemented by mountain views. This alone is inspiring!

Got inspired? Then let us set a plan.

To begin with, you are to conduct preliminary work with potential climbers: release/distribute a list of appropriate clothes, shoes and personal equipment (such as a backpack and sticks, for example). Discuss the plan; give a safety advice to the participants. By the way, the these kinds of events are hol by Trekking Club, it is included in an itinerary (consultations on the issue - it requires experience and skills of climbing/mountaineering). You will also need to hire the mountain guides, which will accompany the group on the route and take care of safety (the number of guides depends on the size of the group, but you should not  save on - there must be at least one guide for 8 participants in trekking, and at least one guide/instructor for 3-4 participants in climbing).

Choosing a route is another important issue. Climbing/trekking normally last at least 5-6 hours, and this means you need to choose a plce not too remote and easily accessible from Almaty - the participants in fact need to have time to return to the city. Of the tested options, we prefer the peak of Shymbulak (3450m above sea level), or a trip to the glacier Touyuk-Su (3500m). Both places are located in the upper Maloalmatinsky Gorge: the ascent to the peak Shymbulak starts from the Talgarsky Pass (which can be reached with a cable car from Medeo), and the hike to the glacier starts from the resort of Shymbulak. Logistics tasks (delivery of climbers to the start point and back) look not as complicated in terms of existing bus/cable car infrastructure.

Climbing of the Shymbulak peak (with a return to the pass) and hiking to the glacier (also with a return) takes 4-6 hours, depending on the season and the trail conditions. Both options are non-technical, do not require using of special gear or technical background. The main things are the attitude and personal motivation. Stunning panoramas of summits, glaciers and Almaty from a bird's-eye view are pleasant bonuses of such a journey.