EXPEDITION

    "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists" in July, - August 1999 has organized two expeditions with the purpose to investigate Roshka and Thruso gorges, located on southern slopes of main Caucasian Range (Chief of expedition and author of slides Dr. T.Phurtskhvanidze).

    The territory located close to village Roshka near the gorge of Aragvi of Khevsurethi is abundant in huge erratic rocky boulders.  The members of the expedition located the sites of several huge boulders (with up to 25 meters height) and their volume is appreciated.

According to these estimations, greatest of them has volume up to 3000 m3. It is necessary to note that in other regions of the Georgian Caucasus there are larger boulders of a similar origin, which certainly require the description and subsequent study.

    The Thruso gorge, which is located in upper part of the river Terek, is rich in unique samples of inorganic nature. Among them, undoubtedly, so-called “Turquoise Lake” is worth of mentioning The Lake is fed by mineral water sources that originate deep in the underground. The view of "raging" water rich in carbonic dioxide on the lake's surface renders unforgettable impression on the observer.

From the lake a rivulet of mineral water runs with the output that makes about 2.5 million liters per day. In the gorge unusually beautiful travertine fields are met frequently together with sources of "sour" water. The most powerful source follows as the river of mineral water with the output of 30 millions liters per day.

    The "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists" is ready to cooperate with the appropriate organizations and persons interested in study of unique samples of the inorganic nature and problems of their protection.