Kazbek is the easternmost silent volcano among the eight 5000m. summits of the Caucasus. Situated on the Russian-Georgian border, the massif includes two summits – Eastern Kazbek (5033m) and Western Kazbek (5015 m).
Kazbek was first climbed in 1868 by D. Freshfield, a 23-year-old English mountaineer. Russian surveyor A. Pastukhov in 1889 became the first researcher who climbed Kazbek to carry out geological and meteorological research. He reached the peak together with 60-year-old Ossetian guide Tepsariko Tsarakhov. The pair of mountaineers put onto the summit a red banner, in good weather conditions visible from as far as Vladikavkaz.
Kazbek is home to many legends and sites of interest. Around the 3800-m altitude, a cave inside the 80-m cliff wall hosts the ancient Georgian monastery Betlemi (Bethlehem). According to the Kartlis Tskhovreba chronicle, church treasuries and saint relics had been hidden in the monastery, only reachable by climbing a hanging iron chain. The legend says that St. Joseph, having by God’s will ascented to the Beltemi monastery, presented Tsar Irakly with a piece of Abraham’s tent.
Region: Russia, North Ossetia republic, Kazbek (5033m)
Activity: alpinism
Expedition duration: 10 days
Group size: from 4 persons
Price: 1200 EUR
Activity: alpinism
Expedition duration: 10 days
Group size: from 4 persons
Price: 1200 EUR
Advance payment: 25 % of the full price.
In case of the cancellation, prepayment is not refundable.
In case of the cancellation, prepayment is not refundable.
INDIVIDUAL TOURS ARE POSSIBLE!
ASCENT ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival to Mineralnye Vody.
Meeting at the airport, check in to the hotel.
Equipment check and adjustment.
An acclimatizing walk to the Mashuk hill (993m).
DAY 2
Transfer to Vladikavkaz and to the Genaldon gorge.
Check at the border control station.
Trek to the camp at hot mineral water springs (3-4 hours).
Pitching tents.
DAY 3
Trek to the camp at “the cross” (3600m).
The route first follows a trail to the edge of the glacier, then crosses the glacier to a cliff buttress.
A steep trail on the buttress leads to the campsite (5-6 hours).
Night in tents.
DAY 4
Trek to the high camp beneath the OJD peak (4200m).
Pitching tents.
Night at the camp.
DAY 5
Acclimatization walk to the altitude of 4400-4500 m.
Snow and ice technique training.
Night at the high camp.
DAY 6
Summit day.
Descend to the camp at 4200m.
DAY 7
Reserve day.
DAY 8
Descend from 4200m to hot springs.
Night in tents.
DAY 9
Trek to the border control station (the Karmadon village), return to Mineralnye Vody.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 10
Departure to the Mineralnye Vody airport.
The guide can change the itinerary (without changing its destination) depending on the weather, the condition of the team etc.
THE PRICE OF THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- Qualified guides
- Transfer Mineralnye Vody – the Genaldon gorge and back
- Stay at the hotel (for 2 days)
- Meals
- Rental of the group gear and kitchen
- Group climbing and camping equipment
- Permits to the border zone
THE PRICE OF THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Flight or overland trip to Mineralnye Vody and back
- Rental of personal alpinist gear
- Single room accommodation at the hotel
- Any changes in the itinerary that cause additional expenditure
PERSONAL GEAR:
- Crampons, well-fitted to the boots
- Ice axe
- Harness, self-belay, 3 carabiners
- Joumar (Ascenter)
- Adjustable trekking poles
- Glacier glasses, protection level at least Degree 4
- Googles;
- Rucksack, 60-70l
- Summit rucksack 25-30l
- Sleeping bag, comfort -15C
- Head lamp, spare battery
- Thermos 0.5-1 l
- Sun-protection cream
- Bowl, mug, spoon, knife
CLOTHES AND FOOTWEAR:
- Wind-waterproof jacket-shell and trousers with membrane
- Warm down jacket for -20C;
- Warm fleece or light-down insulation jacket;
- Baselayer
- Mountaineering boots (plastic or double)
- Trekking boots
- Gaiters
- Warm climbing socks
- Warm gloves
- Light gloves
- Mittens for -20C
- Warm hat
- Face mask or buff;
- Personal toiletry kit
- Personal medicines