Kazbek Summit from the North side (North Ossetia)
Kazbek is a two-headed extinct volcano, the easternmost five-thousandth of the Caucasus.
Kazbek is located in the Main Caucasian Range on the border of North Ossetia and Georgia. Its two peaks are Kazbek Vostochny (5033) and Kazbek Zapadny (5015).
Nearby are the peaks of Mailey (4661 m) and Jimarai (4733 m).
The tour to Kazbek from the Russian side (from the north) goes along the Karmadon gorge along the Genaldon river. Karmadon is considered one of the most picturesque settlements in the region.
Climbers are expected to walk without using any transport, cable cars or ski lifts. There are also no mountain shelters here, so the group spends all nights in tents
Climbing program to Kazbek from the north / 5033m / 10 days:
Day 1
- Arrival to Mineralnye Vody;
- equipment check;
- walk around the city;
- Accommodation in a hotel or hostel.
Day 2
- Departure to the Genaldon gorge / registration at the border check post;
- from the check post it is 3-4 hours trekking to overnight;
- Overnight in tents at the hot mineral springs.
Day 3
- Crossing the Mailey Glacier in crampons, up to an altitude of 3000 m. (with the use of railings at times). According to the condition of the participants and the weather, it is possible to climb to overnight stays at an altitude of 3500 m;
- Overnight in tents.
Day 4
- Trekking to 3500 m;
- Overnight in tents.
Day 5
- The trekking to the tent camp under the peak of the OZhD 4200 m (in some places a railing is used);
- Overnight in moraine tents.
Day 6
- Snow-ice lessons and acclimatization trekking up to the altitude of 4400-4500 m;
- Overnight in moraine tents.
Day 7
- Summit day. Early start at 6.00 a.m.;
- descent to 4200 m. or to 3500 m. (according to the condition of participants). It is recommended to go down to a height of 3500 m.
Day 8
- Reserve day, or descent to hot springs;
- Overnight in tents.
Day 9
- Crossing to the border check post (Tmenikau village);
- return to Pyatigorsk;
- celebration dinner.
The guide reserves the right to change the program of the tour, without changing its content (weather, condition of participants).
Personal equipment:
- Crampons (fitted to boots);
- ice ax;
- harness, 4 carbines;
- trekking sticks;
- climbing glasses, degree of protection of at least 4;
- ski mask;
- headlamp, spare batteries;
- a backpack of 65 liters;
- mat;
- sleeping bag with a comfortable temperature of -15 °;
- a flask for drinking;
- thermos 0.5 - 1l;
- mug, spoon, bowl, knife;
- sunscreen;
- personal hygiene items;
- personal medicines.