In the Caucasus, everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. Famous classics created their masterpieces here: Pushkin, Lermontov. Honeyfalls, Dombay, Sofia Lakes attract tourists from all over the world - everyone wants to touch the beautiful and enjoy the incredible beauty of the scenery.
The region covers such countries as Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan. The beauty of the Caucasus Mountains is difficult to describe in words. Many travelers associate them with power, and they are right in this - the mountains of the Caucasus do not submit to everyone.
Despite its considerable age - approximately 24-28 million years, the Caucasus Mountains are considered the youngest in our country - Russia. They were formed due to volcanic activity, it is noteworthy that every year the plates are shifted by a certain number of centimeters. And, as you can already guess, the result of this action is devastating earthquakes.
There is still a debate between historians about the origin of the word "Caucasus". Some people think that it means "rocky ground", Other"sparkling sky"Third, that"sky supportive"... Let historians continue their disputes, and we will admire the highest mountains of the Caucasus!
10. Katyn Tau - 4970 m
Let's start with a sad story. Kabardino-Balkarians Katyn Tau associated with a sad legend. In translation, the name means "Wife's mountain". According to legend, Tetnuld cooled to his old wife Katyn, exchanging her for Dzhangi (new and young). Indeed, this story can be called sad.
Snow in this difficult area lies all year round, so every tourist should take care of the availability of warm clothing. As for the conquest, this location has a rather easy route, but despite this, people without proper physical preparation are better off not climbing it. Katyn-Tau is located on the border between Svaneti and Kabardino-Balkaria.
9. Tetnuld - 4974 m
Beauty Tetnuldcompletely covered with snow, located in the picturesque Georgian region - Svaneti. Among climbers, it is especially popular, because it allows you to take a unique route and attracts with its shape (the shape of the mountain is pyramidal).
They go to Tetnuld because it is incredibly photogenic, high, and the classic route is completely safe. Climbing the mountain does not require complicated preparation, the only thing needed is to make the ascent in the second decade of July, because at other times weather conditions can upset.
Climbers consider technically climbing Tetnuld more interesting than climbing Elbrus or Laila. From the height of the mountain, a beautiful view of the Svaneti mountains, the panorama of the GKH and the sunlit valleys of highland Georgia opens.
8. Mizhirgi Zapadnaya - 5025 m
Every climber dreams of conquering Mizhirgi Western mountainslocated in the area of the Bezengi Gorge. It can be seen in the list of the most dangerous mountains in Russia. The exact origin of the name is unknown, opinions differ, for example, according to one version, it was named after a shepherd, whose name was Mazhir.
In the XIX century, the shepherd became the first person who managed to conquer Mizhigari Zapadnaya. Those who are going to climb it should remember that Mizhirgi is much more difficult for this than other higher Russian mountains. The routes are technically difficult, and ice falls are not uncommon here. Since the mountain is capricious, good physical preparation is necessary.
7. Kazbek - 5034 m
There are many legends in the world, and a beautiful mountain Kazbek, which is depicted on calendars and magazine covers, did not escape them. Kazbek is not only a former volcano and peak of the Caucasus Mountains, but also a place surrounded by a legend.
According to legend, Prometheus was chained in this place - as a punishment for the fire brought to people. But imprisonment is not the most cruel punishment. The gods told the powerful bird the eagle to fly in the evenings to Prometheus and peck his liver ...
But this terrible story is in the past, today it is Kazbek (in translation "ice peak”From Georgian) - a place where people come to get impressions and climb the mountain. They first climbed it in 1868.
6. Jangitau - 5085 m
Located in the North Caucasus Jangitautranslates as "New mountain". Thick glaciers are located on one part of the mountain, among them there are sleeping volcanoes. The mountain borders with Russia and Georgia, and is the central part of the Benzenga wall.
Climbing to Dzhangitau is not an easy task, because it is considered one of the most dangerous and difficult peaks in Russia to climb. Only climbers with the experience dare to do this, however, even they are not always under the strength of an obstacle ...
Not so long ago, a tragedy occurred - an experienced climber escaped from a slope, unfortunately, he died, and a couple of years before that planes flew in to save a group of climbers.
5. Pushkin peak - 5100 m
Pushkin peak located in Kabardino-Balkaria, this mountain can truly be called the most poetic in Russia. It got its name on the day of the 100th anniversary of the day that the great Russian poet A.S. Pushkin.
This mountain is the Dykhtau massif, it is considered one of the most difficult to conquer, and it is understandable why - there are no easy routes, and it is very difficult to overcome the traverse. A humid and cold climate reigns here, snow may not fall until May, and starting from 3,500 meters, the snow cover lasts year-round.
Experienced climbers prefer to climb the north side - the route is more complicated than the south, but this does not stop them from wanting to admire the incredible beauty of the surrounding nature.
4. Kostantau - 5152 m
Mountain Koshtanau, which is located in Kabardino-Balkaria, has a rather interesting translation “Mountain resembling a remote home", Does it justify its name? Indeed, from afar, the top of this beauty resembles a large tent.
Koshtanau is quite unpredictable - sometimes she is capricious and dresses up in ice clothes, creating difficulties for climbers, and sometimes she is very welcoming, endowing with favorable weather.
The conquest of Koshtanau began with a tragedy - in 1888, two English climbers and their guides from Sweden died while trying to climb a mountain. From that tragic event, nevertheless, we managed to lay several routes, but each of them has an increased complexity.
3. Shkhara - 5201 m
Five-thousanders of Georgia and Russia - mountain peak Shkhara. Translated from Georgian "nine". This name was not an accident, because Shkhara has pronounced high points. And, as you might guess, there are 9 of them.
Climbers are very fond of this peak, because you can climb it by different routes, and enjoy the beauty of these places from different points thanks to several peaks.
Climbing requires experience. Few of the organizers dare to bring along newcomers. The mountain was first conquered in 1888, so it deservedly bears the title of the highest peak in Georgia.
2. Dykhtau - 5204 m
Dykhtau located in the mountain system of the Greater Caucasus, in Kabardino-Balkaria. After Elbrus it is considered the second largest peak in Europe. The mountain consists of dark rocks, and the following happens - they contrast with the surrounding clouds, which makes the view seem gloomy.
The easiest route to reach its peaks belongs to the category, which is very slightly higher than the average - 4A. Due to harsh climatic conditions, there is no vegetation, and the snow at the top lies all year round.
For the first time it was conquered in 1888 by Austrian climbers led by D. Hokkin, reaching the peak. The path to Dykhtau takes about 7 days, taking into account the overnight stay, and requires preparation.
1. Elbrus - 5642 m
The leader of our selection is the well-known mountain. Elbrus - the highest point in Russia. Everyone has heard of Elbrus, who dreams of conquering. The mountain borders with Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.
Locals call this incredible beauty Mingi tauwhich means "eternal mountain". Elbrus is an extinct volcano - according to researchers, there is every chance that one day it will wake up again. From two peaks (western and eastern) of the mountain, the view opens magnificent - to the Black and Caspian Seas.
Despite the frightening heights, the path to the top of Elbrus has long been laid. For the first time they climbed a mountain in the first third of the 19th century, and since then many fans of extreme sports have visited it, not only on foot, but even on horseback and cars.
Here you can find roe deer, foxes, tours and Central Asian yaks - rich fauna becomes another reason to overcome the difficult route.