Last leg of ascent to Krutoy Pass, Katun'skie Belki Range, Altay

View North from the saddle Krutoy Pass in the main crest of Katun'skie Belki Range. The word "Krutoy" literally means steep, and steep it is. Day 4 of our March 1988 Altay Mountains ski backpack. I planned to spend a couple days exploring the mountains of this relatively unknown Multa Lakes section of Katun'skie Belki, but with the heavy valley trailbreaking we were running behind schedule. So all we managed to squeeze in was a side trip to Krutoy.