Climb Kazbek, North

We offer climbing Kazbek (5033m) – one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. It is located in the eastern part of the Central Caucasus, in Georgia. Like Elbrus, Kazbek is also an extinct volcano, as evidenced by its conical shape with clear traces of an ancient giant crater. There are many fairy tales, legendary and interesting historical facts about this story. At an altitude of 3800m, in the cave, there is an entrance in the upper part of an 80-meter rock, there is the ancient monastery of Betlemi (Bethlehem). In the chronicles of “Kartlis tskhovreba” this monastery is registered as a repository of shrines and church treasures. The monks of this monastery got to it along a long iron chain. Other legends date back to more distant times, when, after a quarrel in heaven over a stolen fire, Ptolemy was chained to a rock. This rock was located on Mount Kazbek. Kazbek is also known for the works of Mikhail Lermontov “A Hero of Our Time” and “Mtsyri”. Climbing Kazbek is a great opportunity to test yourself!

Day 1. Gathering and meeting at the Vladikavkaz hotel. Equipment fitting, rental hike (if necessary), free time. Dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Wake up early. Transfer to the beginning of the route, mark at the border post, transition to the hot springs (2300m). Overnight in tents at the Genaldon thermal springs,
Day 3. Crossing the Kolka river, approach to the lower part of the Miley glacier, overnight in tents on the moraine. (3000m).
Day 4. Trekking to overnight 3500 m (5-6 hours). Moving along the path, then along simple destroyed rocks, in some places a fixed rope is used. Overnight in tents.
Day 5. Ascent to the Kazbek plateau (4200m). Along a not wide, but very long snowfield falling into the valley. Then, along a steeper path that leads to a cliff at an altitude of 3700 m. On a small site, you can make a halt for a short rest in front of the difficult and steep section of the ascent to the Kazbek plateau. Further, the trail goes under the belt of rocks, which are traversed along stationary metal cables. Then, along the ridge, exit the Kazbek plateau (4200 m.). Overnight in tents.
Day 6. Snow and ice lessons, rest. Overnight in tents.
Day 7. Climbing. The ascent to the top takes about 7 hours, the descent is 4-5 hours.
Approach along the snow plateau to the start of the ascent to Kazbek. Further to the saddle between two peaks at an altitude of about 4900 m. Going to another steep step, climbing to the top of Kazbek. Overnight in tents.
Day 8. Reserve day or descent for the night at the hot springs. Overnight in tents.
Day 9. Descent and transfer to Vladikavkaz. Overnight at the hotel or departure home.

• English-speaking guide for the entire program;
• Transfer Vladikavkaz – frontier post – Vladikavkaz;
• Meals on the route;
• Kitchen equipment rental, cooking gas;
• Group equipment (ropes, ice screws, radios, satellite navigators, first aid kit, tents);
• Overnight in Vladikavkaz on days 1 and 9.

• Flight or transfer to Vladikavkaz and back
• Insurance
• Personal equipment
• Personal porters and horses for personal luggage
• Additional costs associated with evacuation in the event of an accident
• Personal expenses (drinks, internet, phone calls, etc.)
• Taxi in Vladikavkaz
• Any costs caused by the changing of the programs

The documents:

• passport
• flight tickets / train tickets
• insurance
• Voucher

Personal equipment:

• backpack 60 – 80 l.
• sleeping bag with a comfort temperature from -10 ° C to 0 ° C
• caremat
• trekking poles
• crampons
• classic ice ixe with a 5-6mm re-cord for attaching to the system (2-3 meters)
• ice screw (not to be confused with an ice ixe)
• harness
• helmet
• carbines, 3 pcs
• mountaineering Lanyard

Clothes and footwear:

• climbing boots triple or double (double – plastic, for example, Scarpa Vega, or leather)
• trekking boots
• waterproof membrane jacket and trousers (from 5000/5000 simple membranes to Gore-Tex products)
• fleece suit
• thermal underwear set
• thick and warm puff
• warm mittens
• thick gloves
• thin gloves
• bandana (in addition to sun protection in the valley, it can be used to warm the throat or face in the cold)
• hat
• warm trekking socks for the day of climbing

Travel Accessories:

• LED flashlight on the head
• Sunglasses
• ski goggles
• thermos with a volume of 1 liter (preferably without a button in the lid)
• windproof mask on the lower part of the face or buff
• leggings
• sunscreen
• hygienic lipstick
• chemical heating pads (optional, but can be very helpful)
• personal first aid kit
• elastic bandage and / or support bandage