Aleksandr Musienko from Lexus Astana Team Climbs the Sovetov Peak

The ascent took 6 hours.

On July 15, a team of 8 loaded with food supplies, sleeping bags and equipment, headed off on their journey starting from the South-East of the city of Almaty. When the asphalt gave way to a natural road, picturesque landscapes greeted the eyes of the hikers. The smells and sounds of the forest, and songs of the birds filled the air. With an unceasing admiration for the abundance of mountain flowers, leafy and pine groves and for the springs with clean and cool water to replenish their supplies, the team reached the camp at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains.

After the overnight stay, having regained their strength, the teams began to climb the Sovetov peak. The ascent followed a proven route under control of experienced climbers.

At an altitude of 4,220 meters, strong wind and hail hit the team.

“The peak was about 200 meters away. The wind was rising, and we realized we had to speed up. Even a slight delay could prevent us from reaching our target”, says Aleksandr Musienko.

However, unfavorable weather conditions did not stop the team. On the contrary, the climbers braced up and mustered up their strength to reach the highest point of the route.

Meanwhile, the clouds scattered, and a stunning view of the peaks of Abai, Nursultan, Talgar and Big Almaty Lake opened up before the hikers.

For Aleksandr Musienko this was not the first ascent. Over the last years he had climbed the highest point of the Akmola region, Kokshe (947 m.), Big Almaty peak (3,680 m.), Tourist peak (3,955 m.).

“Climbing gives me physical and moral strength, charges me with positive emotions, and takes my mind off the daily routine. Mountain hiking helps develop such skills as self-control, ability to organize your efforts, and continuous monitoring of the surroundings. It is important to understand that the goal is not the peak itself, but the process of climbing”, says Alexandr, “But the main thing is that the mountains help me find answers to the most difficult questions. This is amazing!” 

The ascent to the Sovetov Peak culminated with photographing at the commemorative plaque of Kazakhstani climbers Anatoly Bukreev and Valery Bezborodov. 

Speaking of which, at the initiative of Nurlan Smagulov, President of Astana Motors, and thanks to the talent of Nurlan Dalbay, a sculpture of Anatoly Bukreev was erected on the Medeu high-mountain skating rink next to the bas-relief of speed skaters. At the opening of the monument in January 2023, veteran climbers introduced a new tradition: you touch the boot of the bronze climber for successful ascent and safe return home.

Reference: The Sovetov peak is a mountain peak on the northern spur of the Tien Shan ridge of the Trans-Ili Alatau dominating the basin of the Bolshaya Almatinka River and the Big Almaty Lake. The height of the peak is 4,317 meters. The first ascent to the Sovetov peak was by climbers of the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in 1938.