The main update to the previously published material concerns the description of the canyon and waterfalls of the Kholodnaya Shchel River. Revised and expanded in March 2026.
Atskar Rock
Among the line of cliffs stretching along the Main Caucasian Ridge within the Tuapse district, not all have proper names. Atskar Rock, although not the most prominent and not visible from all sides, is marked on all maps.
The rock is located on the north-eastern slope of the Main Caucasian Ridge in the upper reaches of Kholodnaya Shchel, a left tributary of the Pshish River. From the 1006.0 m summit, a spur extends eastward with several rock outcrops. The summit of Atskar Rock rises only slightly above the ridge and is densely overgrown with vegetation, making it difficult to see from the northern side.
The main walls drop steeply to the south into the Kholodnaya Shchel valley. Rock slabs extend down to the stream, forming stepped cascades with noisy waterfalls. These walls are best viewed from the crest of the Main Ridge.
The rock, like other outcrops in the area, consists of andesite-dacite porphyrites. The upper walls are smooth and monolithic, covered with flake-like exfoliation, while the lower sections are densely overgrown with shrubs. From a mountaineering perspective, the walls are of limited interest for free climbing.
The shortest approach to Atskar Rock starts from the road between the villages of Goytkh and Terziyan. Roughly midway, the road bends southward, moving away from the Pshish River. At the lowest point of this bend, a side road branches off—this is the beginning of a forest track leading toward the Dykil-Dash pass.
After 600 meters from the main road, a track branches right toward Atskar. It climbs up the slope to the right of a small stream. There are camping spots along the stream. Gaining height, the road turns left, crosses the stream, and ascends to the ridge of the eastern spur of the 1006.0 m summit. At the first two junctions keep left; at the third, about 300 meters before the ridge, turn right. From the ridge, the summit of Atskar Rock becomes visible, located slightly lower along the spur.
To reach the rock, cross a small clearing and approach the north-western summit. The ascent requires climbing. If you bypass the first summit on the right, an easier approach to the main summit is found behind it. From the top, two smaller rock outcrops are visible on the left bank slope of Kholodnaya Shchel, offering a fine profile view of the rock.
Chatalcar Rock Outcrop
Continuing along the eastern spur of the 1006.0 m summit, the road leads to an intermediate elevation of 931.0 m. Before reaching the top, two towers of a rock outcrop known locally as Chatalcar appear on the right. The name, of Armenian origin, means “double” or “forked stone.” This rock is clearly visible from the road to Terziyan.
Approaching from above, a gap blocks access to the summit, requiring a descent into it. Beyond the gap is a 10 m west face. The ascent follows a crack system (UIAA grade III). A piton is in place. Access to the summit from both sides also requires climbing. The summit provides good features for setting up belays.
The rock can be circumnavigated. The terrain is well broken with many cracks, moderately loose in places. It is suitable for training on alpine routes of grade III–IV. The south ridge is about 25 m, the east face up to 30 m, and the north ridge about 40 m. Beneath the main rock is a lower 20 m step.
After crossing the 931.0 m point, the forest road reaches a saddle with a junction. A branch descends right into the Pshish valley, while to the left a traverse leads to the saddle between 1006.0 m and 1104.3 m. From here, you can continue along the Main Caucasian Ridge or descend into the basin of the Shpichatsky Stream. Access to these rocks is also possible via the area of Mount Dva Brata.
Waterfalls of Kholodnaya Shchel
The waterfalls of the Kholodnaya Shchel River are concentrated in a rocky canyon beneath the south face of Atskar Rock. The lower canyon can be accessed either via the northern approach road described above or via a road along the eastern spur of the rock on the left bank of the river.
Approaching from the north, about 300 m before reaching the ridge, take the left fork. The road gradually descends and after 600 m leads beneath the eastern ridge of Atskar Rock. On the right side of the road is a distinctive cluster of moss-covered rounded boulders and a shallow depression in the slope. At this bend, turn right onto a faint shoulder with an old vehicle track and descend into the canyon. The descent is fairly steep.
To approach via the eastern spur, first follow the main road toward the Dykil-Dash pass. The road crosses a left tributary of Kholodnaya Shchel, passes an apiary, crosses the main river, and continues along the right bank. At the confluence with a small right tributary, cross back to the left bank and follow an old road ascending the slope. At the first junction turn left and cross a small gully with a stream—good camping spots. At subsequent junctions, keep right and uphill until reaching the eastern rib of Atskar Rock. Then continue left along a faint shoulder. The road is heavily obstructed by fallen trees, requiring detours. Approach time: 1.5–2 hours.
Progress up the canyon is complicated by large boulders and fallen trees. The rocks are quite slippery. In the lower section:
– waterfall 2 m
– two waterfalls of about 1.5 m formed by rock debris.
In the upper canyon, the bed consists of smooth black slabs where water from the upper fall crashes down:
– waterfall 6 m.
Bypassing this waterfall is quite difficult: either ascend a steep slope on the right bank or climb a steep, compact scree slope beneath the south face of Atskar Rock. From there, follow a narrow ledge to exit the canyon above the waterfall.
Further upstream there are additional drops:
– waterfall 1.5 m
– cascade 3 m
– waterfall 4 m within a rock blockage.
From here, the exit to a broad saddle on the ridge west of Atskar Rock is visible. A faint animal trail leads up through rhododendron to the road.
Source: alp.org.ua