The Hiker's Guide to Almaty [Spiral-bound]

Arkady G. Pozdeyev (Author), John M. Hershey (Photographer), Lynn M. Bell (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1998

The classic guide to the spectacular Zailisky Alatau Mountains near Almaty, Kazakhstan, available for the first time in English. The "Hiker's Guide to Almaty" contains detailed descriptions of over 50 awesome hikes, most within an hour's drive of the city of Almaty. The book is designed for hikers of all abilities; the hikes range from easy day hikes for beginners to challenging summits and multi-day treks for experienced mountaineers. Whether you have only one free day or a whole week, with the "Hiker's Guide to Almaty" you can enjoy the beautiful natural setting of Almaty. The English edition contains a special preface by the author, introducing visitors to Almaty and all of Kazakhstan. The book also has an informative introduction, describing the geography, geology, flora and fauna of the region. The description of each hike includes the author's fascinating observations on Kazakhstan's culture and the history of mountaineering in the Zailisky Alatau.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arkady Pozdeyev, one of Kazakhstan's best-known mountain guides, has been exploring the wilderness near Almaty for over 40 years. A master of sport in mountain tourism who has led over 20,000 people on hikes in the region, Arkady doesn't just show you which way to go. In the "Hiker's Guide to Almaty," he hikes along with you, describing the ecology, telling stories of Kazakhstan's famous mountaineers, sharing local legends and even singing a campfire song or two!

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 138 pages
• Publisher: Real Virtuality Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966692608
• ISBN-13: 978-0966692600
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,971,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Hiker's Guide to Almaty, April 6, 2000

By 

Geoff Shore (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hiker's Guide to Almaty (Spiral-bound)

A Hiker's Guide to Almaty is a comprehensive review of some very interesting (and likely spectacular!) hikes in the Tien Shen mountains in the vicinity of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The main shortcoming of the book is that it contains too few maps (2 of poor quality) and will likely have to be supplemented by additional more detailed maps before one could actually make the hikes. Having said that, the author has provided excellent reviews of the hikes (likely from extensive personal experience) and includes information about interesting sights, local history, flora and fauna and safety considerations. Each hike is rated for difficulty and an estimated hiking duration. The introduction to the book is especially informative for those wishing to travel to the area. The translation from the Russian does not generally affect comprehension although you will notice some strangely worded sections. If you're looking for a glossy, colourful, coffee table book - look elsewhere - this is a black and white technical manual heavy on detail.

I do intend to use this book, in an upcoming trip to Kazakhstan, and it will certainly be a useful and practical addition to the intelligence I will carry with me. After the trip, I'll be better able to evaluate the book's accuracy.

3.0 out of 5 stars Hiker's Guide to Almaty, April 6, 2000

By 

Geoff Shore (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hiker's Guide to Almaty (Spiral-bound)

A Hiker's Guide to Almaty is a comprehensive review of some very interesting (and likely spectacular!) hikes in the Tien Shen mountains in the vicinity of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The main shortcoming of the book is that it contains too few maps (two of poor quality) and will likely have to be supplemented by additional more detailed maps before one could actually make the hikes. Having said that, the author has provided excellent reviews of the hikes (likely from extensive personal experience) and includes information about interesting sights, local history, flora and fauna and safety considerations. The introduction to the book is especially informative for those wishing to travel to the area. The translation from the Russian does not generally affect comprehension although you will notice some strangely worded sections.

I do intend to use this book, in an upcoming trip to Kazakhstan, and it will certainly be a useful and practical addition to the intelligence I will carry with me. After the trip, I'll be better able to evaluate the book's accuracy.