Mount Kazbek, a dormant stratovolcano, is one of the dominant mountains of the Caucasus. It is located in Georgia near the border between Georgia and Russia, towering over the town of Stepantsminda. It is the third-highest mountain in Georgia (after Mount Shkhara and Janga) and the seventh-highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. The name in Georgian is Mqinvari, which translates to "glacier" or "Ice Mountain." Mount Kazbek is associated in Georgian folklore with Amirani, the Georgian version of Prometheus, who was chained on the mountain in punishment for having stolen fire from the gods and given it to mortals. Mount Kazbek, 5047m, is one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the Caucasus. It is an ancient, heavily glaciated volcano situated in the central part of the Main Caucasian Ridge, in Georgia. It's local name is "Mkinvartsveri". The first ascent of Kazbek was made by D. Freshfield in 1868. The four hour drive to the Kazbegi region from Tbilisi takes us through the beautiful Aragvi Valley then over the Krestovy Pass, 2380m. From the small town of Kazbegi, 1700m, mountain paths lead across alpine pastures filled with flowers past the superbly located Gergeti chapel - an outstanding viewpoint. Then on up to the grassy Sabertse Pass, 3150m. Just beyond this is the first campsite, 2950m. Now a moraine is followed to the Gergeti Glacier which leads to the old Meteorological Station and high mountain refuge situated on the southern slopes of Mount Kazbek. It is best to spend a day for acclimatisation and exploring the area. In good weather it is possible to climb Mount Ortsveri, 4365m. An alternative is to visit Betlejem, a hermit's refuge at over 4000m in a carved cave a short way up a cliff (easy roped climb). The route to the summit of Kazbek leads via the Maili Plateau at 4500m. From the saddle above the plateau, 4900m, it will probably be necessary to put on crampons and rope up on an easy angled (35 to 40 degrees) but often icy slope. In good weather the summit provides spectacular views of the Caucasus chain stretching westwards to Elbrus 200km. away. We descend to the refuge in the evening. The following day we descend and return to Tbilisi. Included All food except for lunches and dinners in Tbilisi, transport and accommodation. English speaking guides on Mt Kazbek and in Tbilisi.
Porters help with communal equipment only. All cooking, catering and camping equipment. 2 star hotel accommodation in Tbilisi (upgrades available). Climbing equipment. Not Included Visa costs, tips, insurance, meals in Tbilisi. It may be possible to arrange porter services at extra cost, also it is sometimes possible to hire a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive to Gergeti Chapel. Kazbek is located on the Khokh Range, a mountain range which runs north of the Greater Caucasus Range, and which is pierced by the gorges of the Ardon and the Terek. The mountain itself lies along the edge of the Borjomi-Kazbegi Fault (which is a northern sub-ending of the Anatolian Fault). The region is highly active tectonically, with numerous small earthquakes occurring at regular intervals. An active geothermal/hot spring system also surrounds the mountain. Kazbek represents a dormant volcano, built up of trachyte and sheathed with lava, and has the shape of a double cone, whose base lies at an altitude of 1,770 meters (5,800 feet). Kazbek is the highest of the volcanic cones of the Kazbegi volcanic group which also includes Mount Khabarjina (3142 metres). Owing to the steepness of its slopes, the glaciers of Kazbek are not very large. The total combined area of all of Kazbek's glaciers is 135 km². The best-known glacier is the Dyevdorak (Devdaraki), which creeps down the north-eastern slope into a gorge of the same name, reaching a level of 2,295 meters (7,530 feet). Kazbek's other glaciers include the Mna, Denkara, Gergeti, Abano and Chata. The recent collapse of the Kolka Glacier, located in a valley between Mt. Jimara and Kazbek in the year 2002 was attributed to sulphuric volcanic activity along the northern slope of the mountain, although there was no eruption. At its eastern foot runs the Georgian Military Road through the pass of Darial 2,378 meters (7805 feet).
Mount Kazbek is associated in Georgian folklore with Amirani, the Georgian version of Prometheus, who was chained on the mountain in punishment for having stolen fire from the gods and having given it to mortals. The location of his imprisonment later became the site of an Orthodox hermitage located in a cave called “Betlemi” (Bethlehem) at around the 4000 meter level. According to legends, this cave housed many sacred relics, including Abraham's tent and the manger of the infant Jesus. 19th-century postcard of the Georgian Military Road near Mount Kazbek The summit was first climbed in 1868 by D. W. Freshfield, A. W. Moore, and C. Tucker of the London Alpine Club, with a Swiss guide. They were followed by the female Russian alpinist Maria Preobrazhenskaya, who made the climb nine times starting in the year 1900. In spite of its technical ease, Kazbek is a serious mountain. On a scale of 1-6, the grading of Mt. Kazbek equals to 2. Although no advance mountaineering experience is required for the ascent of Kazbek, you will need to be familiar with the basic use of crampons and ice axes and you should be in good physical condition. We have only a few days for acclimatization before we ascent the summit. We do not make any rock climbing, although the final sections of the mountain will be climbed on icy slopes with some rocky sections of about 35-40 degrees. We make every effort to help you realize your summit ambitions. Personal kit must be carried including your sleeping bag and mat. A limited number of porters can be hired at an extra charge to carry personal equipment where necessary. We would like to have some information about your climbing experience.
Porters help with communal equipment only. All cooking, catering and camping equipment. 2 star hotel accommodation in Tbilisi (upgrades available). Climbing equipment. Not Included Visa costs, tips, insurance, meals in Tbilisi. It may be possible to arrange porter services at extra cost, also it is sometimes possible to hire a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive to Gergeti Chapel. Kazbek is located on the Khokh Range, a mountain range which runs north of the Greater Caucasus Range, and which is pierced by the gorges of the Ardon and the Terek. The mountain itself lies along the edge of the Borjomi-Kazbegi Fault (which is a northern sub-ending of the Anatolian Fault). The region is highly active tectonically, with numerous small earthquakes occurring at regular intervals. An active geothermal/hot spring system also surrounds the mountain. Kazbek represents a dormant volcano, built up of trachyte and sheathed with lava, and has the shape of a double cone, whose base lies at an altitude of 1,770 meters (5,800 feet). Kazbek is the highest of the volcanic cones of the Kazbegi volcanic group which also includes Mount Khabarjina (3142 metres). Owing to the steepness of its slopes, the glaciers of Kazbek are not very large. The total combined area of all of Kazbek's glaciers is 135 km². The best-known glacier is the Dyevdorak (Devdaraki), which creeps down the north-eastern slope into a gorge of the same name, reaching a level of 2,295 meters (7,530 feet). Kazbek's other glaciers include the Mna, Denkara, Gergeti, Abano and Chata. The recent collapse of the Kolka Glacier, located in a valley between Mt. Jimara and Kazbek in the year 2002 was attributed to sulphuric volcanic activity along the northern slope of the mountain, although there was no eruption. At its eastern foot runs the Georgian Military Road through the pass of Darial 2,378 meters (7805 feet).
Mount Kazbek is associated in Georgian folklore with Amirani, the Georgian version of Prometheus, who was chained on the mountain in punishment for having stolen fire from the gods and having given it to mortals. The location of his imprisonment later became the site of an Orthodox hermitage located in a cave called “Betlemi” (Bethlehem) at around the 4000 meter level. According to legends, this cave housed many sacred relics, including Abraham's tent and the manger of the infant Jesus. 19th-century postcard of the Georgian Military Road near Mount Kazbek The summit was first climbed in 1868 by D. W. Freshfield, A. W. Moore, and C. Tucker of the London Alpine Club, with a Swiss guide. They were followed by the female Russian alpinist Maria Preobrazhenskaya, who made the climb nine times starting in the year 1900. In spite of its technical ease, Kazbek is a serious mountain. On a scale of 1-6, the grading of Mt. Kazbek equals to 2. Although no advance mountaineering experience is required for the ascent of Kazbek, you will need to be familiar with the basic use of crampons and ice axes and you should be in good physical condition. We have only a few days for acclimatization before we ascent the summit. We do not make any rock climbing, although the final sections of the mountain will be climbed on icy slopes with some rocky sections of about 35-40 degrees. We make every effort to help you realize your summit ambitions. Personal kit must be carried including your sleeping bag and mat. A limited number of porters can be hired at an extra charge to carry personal equipment where necessary. We would like to have some information about your climbing experience.
