Tomass Marnics's video: SARYJAZ GRAND TREK

In September 2022, an international team of whitewater kayakers set out to paddle the remote Saryjaz river in Kyrgyzstan. Originating from Semenov and Engilchek glaciers in the central Tian Shan mountain range, the Saryjaz cuts deep through a very remote landscape, creating immense meandering canyons leading towards China. The river has seen several teams since it was first descended in 1996. Catarafters and kayakers left their marks in the history of this amazing place as well as their equipment. Most groups who paddled Saryjaz in past 26 years abandoned their boats on the side of the river. The hike out from the border is hard and it was considered impossible to make it through taking the boats out. For us the objective was very clear from the start: we go all in, and we take everything out. All of us went there for the same reason, to experience a unique place, to have a good time, and hopefully learn a thing or two in the process. That’s our style—or at least the one we aim for. Team: Nouria Newman - France Luka Rebersak - Slovenia Michiel De Ruytter - Belgium Kristof Stursa - Austria Tomass Marnics - Latvia Edited by Oleksii Marusyk