Climb Kazbek, South

We provide Kazbek climbing tours from the territory of Georgia.

Mt. Kazbek was summited for the first time in 19th century (in 1868) by D. Freshfild. This mountain is the subject of many tales and legends. At an elevation of about 3800 m, in an 80-meter high rock there is a cave with an ancient Betlemi (Bethlehem) monastery in it. This monastery was said to be a storage area of relics and church treasuries. As another legend has it, the rock to which Premetheus was chained, was on Mt. Kazbek.

Mt Kazbek is double-headed, featuring two summits –Eastern Kazbek (5033m) and Western Kazbek (5015m). Stretching over its slopes are massive and strongly torn glaciers. On its south-eastern slopes there is the Getget glacier, and on the south-western part streaming with a beautiful torrent from Maili plateau to Genaldon gorge is the Maili glacier that is broader than any ice cascade in the Caucasus. On the northern part there is the Chach glacier; on the north-eastern slope – the Devdorak glacier, and on the eastern slope – the Abano glacier.

Opening from Mt. Kazbek’s summit is an awesome view of the Central and Eastern Caucasus. To the west, in clear weather, one can see another famous Caucasus volcano – Mount Elbrus (5642m). In the Main Caucasus range, closer to Mt. Kazbek, one can distinguish the 5000m high summits of Bezengi, beautiful tops of Tsey that surround the Karaugom Plateau. One can enjoy also the views of the grey Tepli pyramid, and right underneath Kazbek’s summit – the rock-and-icy ridges of Mt. Jimara with dominating icy peaks of Jimara, Mailihoh, Shauhoh and Sautisi.

This program could be shorter, but the experience of many years has shown that in this case there are no “extra” days. It won’t be easy.

Day 1. Meeting at Kazbegi village (Stepantsminda). The transfer from Tbilisi or Vladikavkaz can be organised separately. Dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Trek to the highest operating Orthodox Church situated at an elevation of 2170m. Preparations for the next-day climb. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. A 7–9 hours climb to the Meteorological station (at 3600m) through Saberce Pass. Overnight at the hut or tents.
Day 4. Acclimatization hike to a chapel at an elevation of 4000 m. Overnight at the hut or tents.
Day 5. Rest day. Overnight at the hut or tents.
Day 6. 8–10 hours’ climb to Kazbek summit. Descent to the Meteorological station. Overnight at the hut or tents.
Day 7. Reserve day. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8. Descent to the village of Kazbegi. Self transfer to the airport or to the hotel.

• Services of English speaking guide throughout the entire program
• Services of professional mountain guides – one for three to four climbers on the summit day
• Transfers according to the program: From Kazbegi up, from the mountain to Kazbegi
• Accommodation at the Meteorological station or tents mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals on mountain
• Help in getting required permits
• All group equipment
• Transportation of the group equipment
• First-aid-kit
• Hotel with accommodation in double rooms in Kazbegi mentioned in the itinerary.

• International and local flights
• Permit for climbing
• Personal carriers and horses for personal luggage
• Personal gear
• Expenses incurred by any changes to the mentioned itinerary
• Medical insurance and expenses incurred by evacuation in case of an accident
• Personal expenses (drinks, internet, telephone calls and the like)
• Visa charges (if applicable – about 35 USD)
• Any costs caused by the changing of the programs

Documents:

• Passport
• international passport
• Airplane / Train Tickets
• Medical insurance

Personal equipment:

• Backpack. 60-80l.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature from -10С to 0С (from June to September inclusive), from -20С to -10С (from October to May inclusive).
• Sleeping mattress.
• Trekking poles.
• Crampons
• Ice ax. Classical.
• Harness.
• Carabiners – 3 pcs.
• Mountaineering Lanyard
• Ice screw on a separate carbine
• Personal dishes

Clothes and shoes:

• Climbing boots single-layer or double. Double – plastic or leather. Of plastic, we recommend Scarpa Vega – perhaps the warmest of all double boots.
• Sneakers trekking or boots trekking. In May and early June, you can still see snow at the first acclimatization exits, in which case the advantage of shoes over sneakers is undeniable. However, after mid-June and until the end of September they can be replaced with sneakers.
• Waterproof layer – Jacket + pants. The industry offers a range of products from simple membranes 5000/5000 to products from Gore-Tex.
• Fleece pants and jacket.
• Thermo underwear top + bottom.
• Down jacket. Thick and warm.
• Mittens are warm.
• Thick gloves.
• Thin gloves.
• Bandana (in addition to sun protection in the valley, it can be used to warm your throat or face in the cold)
• Hat warm.
• Warm trekking socks for climbing day

Miscellaneous:

• LED headlamp.
• Sunglasses.
• Ski goggles.
• Thermos – 1l. Better without a button in the lid.
• Windproof mask on the lower part of the face (you can replace it with a scarf with some success).
• Gaiters.
• Sunblock and lip balm.
• Chemical heating pads (not necessary, but can be very useful).
• Personal medical kit.
• Knee support