Hiking in the Caucasus on the November holidays. Hiking in the mountains of the Caucasus

Hiking in the Caucasus in the Western Elbrus region 7 days

Have you seen Elbrus from the heights of proud eagle wings, flying in the world of the Caucasus mountains?

Five thousand meters high, where there are beautiful ridges and skies!

And the waters are warmer, the local Narzans, have you tried swimming here?

Or did they not boldly plunge into the invigoratingly cold lakes living there, among the high-altitude forests? Not?!

And they did not sit in clean passes,

Where the world at your feet lies in the splendor of landscapes, as the most worthy of the planet? Not?!

Then they stomped to where the one who rules the wind, who is above all, raising snow-white peaks into the sky, invites you to his estates.

Elbrus is the name of the glorious mountain of the Caucasus!

A technically simple, sightseeing hike in the Caucasus (Karachay-Cherkessia), to the foot of the highest mountain in Europe, at medium altitudes from 2000 to 3700 meters, is confidently beautiful, interesting and informative for everything that is there.))

• Duration - 7 days.
• Type - autonomous trip.
• Difficulty is above average.
• The cost of the tour is 10,000 rubles.
• Hiking distance – 73 km
• Age requirement - from 16 years.

Conditions for a hike in the Western Elbrus region:

• Travel time is 7 days. Heights up to 3700 meters.
• It is best to arrive in Nevinnomyssk in advance, on the eve of a hike in the Caucasus, after spending the night in the hotels of the city (we will tell you the addresses).
• The total time for the group to gather at the railway station in Nevinnomyssk is 9.00. Start of the hike.
• The cost of the trip includes: all transfers (round trip), 3 meals a day (hot breakfasts and dinners, lunch - a snack on the route), guide services, group pharmacy + equipment: gas, burners, boilers, registration with the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
• The price does not include: Railway and Air tickets, rental of personal equipment.
• Equipment: it is best to have your own, familiar, down to the last shoelace.)) But we have a rental: backpacks, tents, rugs, sleeping bags - we look.
• If you have any questions, write or call here, me, Oleg.
• Number of participants in the trip: 10-12 people.
• The leader has a multi-fuel burner - the main cooking of food. A bonfire, if possible, for firewood to live in one place or another. Plus a camping pharmacy, boilers, etc., necessary for an autonomous trip.
• The end of the hike in the city of Nevinnomyssk at the railway station. Estimated time of arrival is 18.00 (six o'clock in the evening).

The route is carefully thought out for the purpose of logical-adaptive acclimatization, so that your and our trip will be successful and with the interest of everything that is in the western mountains of the Elbrus region.

Attention! This hike route to the Caucasus is intended for advanced users of mountains and forests, that is, those who have at least two or three autonomous hikes behind their backs and a good physical training, health and the ability to independently manage personal equipment: put up a tent, center a backpack, and so on, which is associated with the collective life of a group on a hike. This is important and is related to the altitude of the route!

Equipment list for a hike, look, read below, after complete description route.

More details about the route:

First day. Nevinnomyssk – Khurzuk – Ullu-Khurzuk

The group gathers at the railway station of the city of Nevinnomyssk at 9.00. That is, you need to arrive on the eve of the start. So it will be convenient and logical. Custom bus will take us to the start of the route in the highland village of Khurzuk. The road is long, the journey time is about 5 hours, so we will stop for lunch (khychins, tea, airan) near the memorial to the defenders of the Caucasian passes at the entrance to the city of Karachaevsk.

Second day. Narzan springs of Djily-su.

To get into the wonderful possessions of Mount Mingi-Tau, another name for Elbrus, you need to work a little.))

Today we have an early rise and an early exit. The path is long, about 17 kilometers up the valley, to the foot of Mount Elbrus. Two thirds of the way we will go through pine forest, where a lot of berries in the form of strawberries, lingonberries, raspberries and blueberries will help us calmly overcome the first difficulties of climbing. And when the forest ends, ahead, in the evening light, we will be greeted by the one who rules the wind. In the evening we set up camp at an altitude of 2700 m, near the narzan resort called Dzhily-su (Karachay-Cherkessia), unfinished in the last century, with healing mineral springs, or on a tour. base (depending on weather conditions). We are in the Caucasus mountains.

Smooth lines of mountain ranges, comfort green valleys highlands, pleases and disposes to rest.

Some places of narzan are equipped for swimming, others are intended for drinking. To relieve fatigue before going to bed, those who wish can plunge into 18-degree soda.))

Day three. Radial exit - Balk-Bashi pass.

This day we will dedicate a radial trip light, to one of the passes, located in the depression of the northern spur, from eastern summit Elbrus. This is the Balk-Bashi pass (3689m), a beautiful and panoramic place of the mountain. He is on the left in the photo. After the transition, you can relax in the bath.

Day four. Radial exit to the Koltsevaya pass.

After breakfast, getting ready and... one more free radial. Slowly we walk around and climb to the Koltsevaya pass (3350m). The ascent is not steep, it goes along the left tributary of the river. Bityuktyube (orographically), large scree abounds at the end, but quite passable. The pass itself is spacious and wide. There is a lake. If you wish, you can climb the Ozerny Pass, provided that the group feels well. From the Koltsevaya pass, the southern spurs of Elbrus, the valley and passes of the Kukurtlyu river are well and beautifully visible.

Descent back along the right side of the left tributary of the river. Bityuktyube, after passing through a large scree.

At the finish line there is a narzan and a swimming pool.))

Day five. Enukol Ridge.

The most beautiful and panoramic transition, a trip to the Caucasus, in good weather. After a short descent, a steep and long ascent to the Enukol ridge awaits us.

In these places there is an old, well-trodden Syut-Jol (Milk Way) cattle drive. We will take advantage of the invitation of the trail, first asking if it is possible?)) And having heard - "Good road", we will climb to the heights of the ridge. The Milky Way is beautiful, panoramic and impressive with its views of Oshkhamakho (where the gods live - another name for the beautiful Elbrus) and the surrounding mountains.

We will camp right on the ridge, not far from the Enukol pass, at an altitude of about 3000 m. This will be our highest overnight stay.

Day six. Enukol Ridge – Lake Khurla-Kol

An easy and spectacular transition to the lake. The lake is located at an altitude of about two thousand meters above sea level. The age of this unique among the lakes of the Caucasus is 15 thousand years! Can you imagine?!

On a wide mountain terrace, in a border pine forests and magnificent landscapes, the lake looks like a wonderful reality of these places. Beautiful purity, crystal transparency, cold and attracting. Sit and watch for a long time. And what else is needed.))

In good weather, you can arrange a real beach holiday.

Day seven. Lake Khurla-Kol – Kart-Jurt – Nevinnomyssk

Early rise and exit. We have breakfast, clean the feathers and go down to the native penates.)) Today is the last day of the hike in the Caucasus, a small and glorious trip!

After climbing a small pass, we will have a long descent into, probably, the most ancient village of Karachay-Cherkessia, the village of Kart-Dzhurt, an informative place for historical data. Not far from the village, on the way home, at the confluence of the Kuban and Khudes rivers, there is a stone, the Black Stone of Karchi, sacred - has been lying for ages, and passing travelers consider it their duty to be near him, knowing that this stone gave a lot of good to the people, living here.

We will ask the driver to stop here for a minute and also be with him for a while, paying tribute to the history and traditions of this small but glorious country.

In Kart-Jurt a minibus will be waiting for us, which will take us to Nevinnomyssk.

Photos of the trip to the Caucasus can be viewed

The Caucasus Mountains are one of amazing places, which every person should definitely visit, and more than once! At the same time, not just for a couple of days, but at least for a week, in order to let their greatness and unique landscape pass through you! This is exactly what we managed to experience on the most popular route Thirty in August 2016.

First day. Meeting. The village of Kamennomostsky. "Long live the waterfalls!"

Our trip began with a meeting at the Krasnodar 1 railway station. We were met by the guide Evgeny Pavlovsky. His first reaction was to my two backpacks: “Do you have so many things for two?” - he asked. My answer surprised him greatly. I answered: “Of course, for one, just products in one, and things in the other. Nothing extra, everything is on the list. Everything must then fit into one. Over the course of the hike, I realized why I caused such a big surprise on his part, and that the main reason is too many things.

On three mountain minibuses, our group was in the village of Kamennomostsky in 2.5 hours Krasnodar Territory, and from there to the Khadzhokh Gorge to the Rufabgo waterfalls. Already from here it was possible to enjoy the Belaya mountain river and the rising ridges of the local mountains.

At the waterfalls, many of our group decided to swim. Especially after the intense heat and a long journey on minibuses, this helped to understand that the trip had started successfully.

Day 2. Caucasian reserve Lago-Naki. Plateau Lago-Naki. Instructor's Hole.

The second day was very busy. We were brought to the checkpoint of the Lago-Naki reserve, from where a full-fledged hiking trip through the Caucasus Mountains began.
At first, everyone was struck by the amazing view of the mountains from the observation deck. Many have already realized that they are finally in the mountains, and the trip will be bright and unforgettable.

For several hours we walked along the plateau from spring to spring, making small halts, talking to each other. Our path ran past karst funnels, in which there was still snow that had not melted since winter. There were no trees or bushes around. There were small hills covered with white snow spots on the horizon.

In the evening, we arrived at our campsite, at the Instructor's Gap, where we immediately set up tents, took water from a mountain spring and began to cook dinner on gas, since there was no firewood nearby. Many of the same tourist groups have gathered here.

The evening was spent in a close circle of mountain tourists, they sang different songs with a guitar, talked and looked at the scattering of stars in the sky.

Day 3. Climbing Mount Oshten.

Early in the morning, after oatmeal with condensed milk, our gang went to conquer Mount Oshten, 2804 m high. A distinctive feature of the mountain is a huge bowl covered with snow.

The conquest began with a small hill, the ascent of which seemed endless to me personally. Step by step, our group nevertheless reached its summit, but our path did not end there. We had to go now along the ridge of Oshten itself all the time up. Here I would like to especially mention trekking poles. With their help it was much better to go uphill. In addition, because of my knee, the sticks were a real lifesaver on the way back down the mountain.

What a stunning view opened up after the tired, but unbroken tourists reached the very top of the mountain! Here you really expand your worldview, you feel all the power and at the same time the indescribable greatness of the mountains. This is one of those moments when you want to stay, dream, determine your destiny in this world!

From the top of Oshten, in clear weather, you can see Mount Fisht, which is not much higher than Oshten, and also make gorgeous panorama Caucasian mountain ranges and passes.

For some reason, the way back seemed to me shorter than the ascent. Despite this, our entire group, together with our instructor, nevertheless fell for the first time under a powerful thunderstorm front with hail.

We spent the rest of the trip in the rain. By evening the sky cleared and the sun came out again.

Day 4. March to Mount Fisht. Shelter Fisht. Radial to the lower glacier.

That day we got up early again and went to the Fisht shelter. The path ran along a winding narrow path. Left mountain ranges like the huge backs of whales in the ocean, and on the right is the mighty Oshten.

On the way, we managed to swim for the first time in a mountain lake with rather warm water.

Closer to dinner came to observation deck, from which, at a glance, one could see the shelter itself. It took a very long time to get to the shelter, despite the fact that we reached it on a positive note. On the way, we each took a log in our hands and, loaded, approached the shelter.

How it was necessary to save things from under the tent during a heavy downpour with a thunderstorm is another story. Most importantly, try to pitch your tent as high as possible and on grass or rocks if possible. In the lowlands of the shelter, in case of rain, real rivers and streams are formed, ready to demolish everything in their path!

The radial route was about 2 hours. Together with Evgeniy, we visited the foot of Fisht, took some excellent photos against the backdrop of the mountain and overcame a rather difficult section consisting of mighty stones and boulders. Sticks helped again!

We spent the evening in the gazebo, playing the guitar, singing songs. Someone even managed to dance lezginka with local population. All in all, everything went great!

Day 5. Climbing Fisht-Oshtenovsky pass, Lake Psenodakh.

This day for me and I think that for many it was a real challenge. The road was not particularly extreme, but because of the constant climb and the feeling that the climb is still not over, we had to endure a lot and go on. When you have overcome this distance, you understand that you are capable of something more, even if your backpack is ready to tear from the load! Despite this, our entire group successfully reached the end of the pass. We didn't lose anyone in the end!

By lunchtime, we came to the beautiful mountainous, very cold lake Psenodakh. The brave ones decided to swim. We camped near the lake for lunch. For every meal we had 2 sticks of sausage, 2 loaves of bread, 2 cans of corn and peas, 3 rounds of cheese, canned fish, and for dessert, delicious dates and nuts. It turned out in a camping way very tasty, there were always enough calories until the evening!

Day 6. Another beautiful waterfall. Ski slope. Overnight stay on the rock.

We visited a 200-meter waterfall, spouting from the cave of Fisht himself. The spectacle is amazing, many of our group swam under the most powerful cool stream of water.

After overcoming the last climb (this was finally told to us by Eugene himself), we again saw the mountain ranges from a different angle and, of course, heard the approaching thunderstorm again. In general, thunderstorms in the mountains are a very frequent phenomenon, the frequency is on average a day. I also had to test the equipment again. Many had long raincoats that were either torn or dangling like a sail in the wind. Our guide had an exemplary raincoat - a poncho raincoat with a hump under a backpack. Such a raincoat is not afraid of any rain, and one could not worry about things at all.

Our path lay along the path, marked by signs past the building ski resort President of the Russian Federation, where, as they say, there are no direct roads and where everything is delivered by helicopters.

The culmination of this day was an unexpected overnight stay right on the rock! The wind was very strong, and all participants of the 30k route were forced to attach their tents to the ground with all stakes. Our clothes dried very quickly after the rain. Our instructor wore sandals all the time and felt very comfortable in them. I was in the new Bona sneakers, which, as I checked, dry very quickly and do not rub my feet.

Day 7. Circassian booths. Fun descent. Overnight at Babuk-Aul.

The overnight stay was excellent. The wind subsided in the morning, and we were waiting for the bright sun and a delicious breakfast from Evgeny. We passed by the Circassian booths and began to walk through the forest past huge trees. Then, after a few stops on the trail, the Merry Descent began, which for everyone was clearly not that fun. But the instructor led us further and further. Cyclists flew past, who also rode along this route, but without tents. They traveled from one shelter to another, where they spent the night. So there is such an opportunity to overcome the Thirty route.

The final destination was Babuk-Aul, which was a territory, the main part of which was covered with a lawn - a place for placing tents. Nearby were several houses and terraces with barbecues for cooking. The main thing is that there was also a shower with hot water. As the evening progressed, more and more people came.

The songs on the guitar did not stop until the very night.

Day 8. The final part of the route. Descent to the sea. Stop at Uch-Dere beach.

In the morning, at about seven o'clock, we already started moving to the final checkpoint of the Caucasian Reserve. It was necessary to have time to leave its territory before 9.00, since the construction of the road began. Thanks to the prudent Eugene, we managed to do everything and settled down for breakfast on the banks of a mountain river.

Before bus stop we had to go another 12 km, but then we were unexpectedly offered to drive in an army truck with two GAZ 66 shops. After long discussions and voting, everyone agreed to pay extra and go like a breeze. The only negative is that we waited for the car for a very long time, but in the end it was worth it!

We got to Dagomys by bus, and from there by train one stop to Uch-Dere.

Tents were set up right on the beach, and in the evening we enjoyed the final dinner and the spectacular sunset!

I would like to say special thanks to our hardy and real hiking guru Evgeny Pavlovsky. Thanks to him, I understood what a mountain hike is, I was convinced from my own experience that you need to know and be able to hike and, most importantly, that traveling is cool and unforgettable!

A few main conclusions on route 30ka

• 1. Take a minimum of things, as you will wear all these things on yourself throughout the trip. The main thing is to have a good backpack in which you can put everything, and which will not tear from the load. My Chinese backpack barely survived this trip, I had to sew on the straps several times.

• 2. Trekking poles are very helpful when hiking. Especially if there are problems with the knees, sticks help out a lot. Also on slippery areas or rocky areas, sticks can help out a lot.

• 3. Shoes are better to take light and quick-drying. Many of us were in trekking boots, but if the boots got wet, they dried for a very long time. You can completely take sneakers, as they dry quickly, are quite light, and your feet do not get tired in them.

• 4. If you have a guitar, be sure to take it on a hike! Without it, the trip would not be complete and not so bright!

• 5. It is better to have your own tent. I had my own assault 2 seater Tramp Sarma weighing 2.5 kg. Tested successfully! Survived 100%!

Good luck and great climbs!

There are routes of different difficulty levels in the Caucasus, and every traveler will be able to find something for himself.

Hiking in the Caucasus, which we conduct

Climbing the legendary Elbrus (5642 m) — highest point throughout the Caucasus, and according to some - and Europe). This gigantic volcano opens before the traveler the best views severe Caucasian mountains, he tempers the spirit and tests the strength of anyone who dares to challenge him. Acclimatization trekking in the Elbrus region will delight you with bright landscapes and local color.

Such a variety of routes, cultures and altitudes make the Caucasus a versatile hiking destination, where everyone can choose and discover something of their own.

Weather in the Caucasus Mountains

The massif is located on the border of two climatic zones: temperate and subtropical. In addition, the height difference is very large here and the influence of two seas is felt. High mountains hold back the cold northern masses, preventing them from penetrating into Transcaucasia. All this makes the climate of the Caucasus quite diverse and heterogeneous. In essence, this means that it is colder and rainier in Ciscaucasia than in Transcaucasia, which belongs to the subtropical zone. The main Caucasian ridge lies in the temperate zone - winters are snowy, summer and early autumn are relatively dry, and spring and late autumn are rainy. In the mountains of the Western Caucasus, local cyclones often form in summer, so there is a lot of precipitation. In areas adjacent to the Black Sea, winter is softened by the influence of the Mediterranean winds. On the Caspian coast, summers are usually very dry and hot.

In addition, in the Caucasus, the climate clearly depends on the height of the area. This type of climate is calledmountain and means that the higher you climb, the colder the air, the stronger the wind, and the weather can change quickly and dramatically. Therefore, if you are going to hike in the Caucasus, you need to prepare for different situations, regardless of the area in which the track will pass.

When is the best time to go hiking s in the Caucasus

It depends on which part of the Caucasus you are going to. But in general, generalizations can be made.

On the Main Caucasian Range The best time to go is June-September. You should not go between February and April, as avalanches come down in the mountains. There is a lot of precipitation from October to December. January is the month of climbing, but we do not recommend such entertainment for beginners without serious experience in difficult winter hikes.

On the Western Caucasus and in Black Sea regions you can safely go from May. The high passes are still covered with snow, but many routes are passable, the weather is stable. And around - stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus ... In the summer, rain loves to fall here - be sure to bring a good membrane poncho with you!

On the South Caucasus up to 29 in july and august° C, so it is better to walk from the end of April to July, and in September - October, or be prepared for the heat. In any case, it will come in handy sunscreen, glasses and panama hat. Winter here is very snowy, avalanches come down in spring.

hike s in the Caucasus in winter - where to go?

The Western Caucasus is ideal for winter trekking. It has the driest and coldest winters, as the spurs of Elbrus block the path of wet sea and tropical streams. This ensures good snow cover conditions and a high chance of sunny weather. In this part of the Elbrus region there are low picturesque passes and peaks from which the severe big ridge. Many of them are listed world heritage UNESCO. So , despite the "small" height, it will be something to see :). In winter, Thach, Lago-Naki, Fisht-Oshten massif and Taberda are well passed. There are many nature reserves, sanctuaries and nature monuments here, which are very impressive in any season.

How to get to the Caucasus

Our hikes in the Caucasus begin atNevinnomyssk, Pyatigorsk, Mineralnye Vody and Krasnodar.You can get there by train or plane.

Trains to the Caucasus

From Moscow to these settlements there is straight th railway message. The fastest squad (Moscow - Krasnodar) on the road 24 hours (to the final ), with stops in Neuves and Nnomyssk, Pyatigorsk and Min Waters. Tickets will cost from 4100 rubles. Two more trains on this route take a little longer - one and a half days, but are cheaper (from 3400 rubles.)

There are trains from St. Petersburg to Krasnodar, but not on all days of the week. On the way they are from 30 hours, tickets from 3200 rubles.

Direct message from Kiev no, but you can go with a change in Bobruisk (Belarus). First, by train Kiev - Minsk (8.5 hours), and then to Minsk - Adler to Krasnodar (38 hours, from 4000 rubles).To Minsk, you need to take tickets well in advance, because they are sold out very quickly.

And from Minsk there is mentioned Minsk - Adler.

Trains from Krasnodar to Min Vody and Nevinnomyssk walk only on odd and at night, mind you it when planning a move. There are no direct lines to Pyatigorsk.

To the Caucasus by plane

In Krasnodar and Mineralnye Vody there are international airports which greatly speeds up the acquisition process.

You can fly from Moscow T b to Krasnodar in 2 hours and 5000-5300 rubles. ( Ural, S7, VIN Airlines ) , and in Mineral water- from 3400 rubles (which is quite comparable with the prices for moving the railway!).

There are few direct flights from St. Petersburg to Krasnodar and Min Voda, they fly for at least 3 hours and cost from 9000 rubles ( U Tair ). With a transfer in Moscow longer, but a little cheaper ( S7 from 5 hours, 7700 rubles; Nordwind - 5 hours, 7200 rubles).

There are no direct flights from Kiev either, the cheapest flights are with two transfers, stand from 12000 rubles and fly 12-20 hours(UIA + Aeroflot). Fast with one transfer (6 hours on the way) will cost 28,000 rubles.

From Minsk for 9000 rubles and with a transfer in Moscow, you can fly to Krasnodar in 6.5 hours.

What documents are needed to go hiking in the Caucasus

For Russians who go on a campaign from Russia, no documents are needed. Take your passport with you to check in at the checkpoint (some parks require this).

Citizens of the CIS can still enter the territory of Russia with an internal passport. Theoretically, they do not need to travel abroad or register if they stay in Russia for no more than 90 days in six months. But in practice, we advise you to take with you a passport, tickets back and some proof of solvency (bank statement or cash, for example). Now there are no problems with crossing the border by plane or from the side of the Republic of Belarus (there is still no message in the conflict region). So don't worry - you need to go hiking in the Caucasus! ;)

If you are coming from Georgia, citizens of Ukraine, Russia and the Republic of Belarus do not need a visa, entry is foreign.

You need to apply for a visa to Abkhazia. How to do this, read the link.

Hiking in the Caucasus, even the simplest, cannot be called a cakewalk. The weather changes very often here, and constant elevation changes and long transitions can exhaust even experienced travelers. The requirements for equipment are also high: ordinary sneakers can let you down on difficult rocky paths, and a cheap tent will not withstand heavy mountain winds. This article will help you decide on a list. equipment and clothes worth taking with you on a hike.

So, the basic equipment you will need is tent, backpack and sleeping bag. Their choice should be approached especially carefully, because your comfort throughout the trip will depend on them.

The main requirements for tent- Water resistance and wind resistance. The first is measured in millimeters of water column. It is advisable to take a tent whose water resistance value exceeds 5000 mm. Arcs (framework) are responsible for wind resistance. For hiking in the Caucasus, it is permissible to take tents with fiberglass arches, but it is even better if the frame is aluminum. The latter option is more expensive, but at the same time more reliable and lighter. In any case, do not buy cheap tents in supermarkets - they will definitely not withstand even one hike in the Caucasus.

If you don't have a tent, don't worry. It can be rented. The cost of one place will be approximately 1 dollar / night.

Now oh backpacks. The main thing is that it is durable and comfortable. If you have a new backpack, try to “break it in” before hiking, otherwise the straps can rub a lot during the first days. Another important parameter is the presence of a cape from the rain. If it is not there, it is worth taking the raincover separately. The volume of a backpack for a hike in the Caucasus should be 60 - 80 liters. When choosing a backpack, give preference to well-known manufacturers of hiking equipment - in this case, it is more likely that the backpack will withstand the trip.

sleeping bag- Another important piece of equipment. When choosing, make sure that the sleeping bag is sewn with high quality, the fabric does not get into the zipper, does not have defects on the fabric, and is equipped with a drawstring on the hood. But, of course, the main parameters are the temperatures of comfort and extreme. The first of these means the temperature in the tent at which you can sleep comfortably, and the second is the temperature at which you will be cold, but at least you will not get hypothermia. Naturally, you should focus on the comfort temperature. For a hike in the Caucasus, it should be 0 degrees Celsius. If the route does not pass at high altitudes, you can limit yourself to a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of +5 degrees.

Another important thing is a sleeping mat - karemat. The most common Izhevsk karemat will do.

Now for the accessories. It is advisable to have trekking poles - with them, part of the load is transferred to the hands, and it will be much easier to walk. You also need to have a headlamp, sunblock and sunglasses, hygienic lipstick, a towel, a water bottle. Do not forget the utensils - a plate, a spoon, a knife and a cup. Dishes should be light and durable.

More about clothes. The most important thing is shoes. For a hike in the Caucasus, you need good trekking boots which will be strong enough and at the same time comfortable. Therefore, they must be carried before the start of the journey. Take the second pair of flip-flops - they will come in handy for walking around the camp and for fording rivers.

Be sure to take membrane pants and a jacket - they will help you not get wet during the rains. Also take a down jacket or a warm sweater. You will sleep in them. It is also advisable to take additional warm pants for sleeping. And for the transitions you will need a fleece, a few T-shirts and lighter pants. It is also worth taking a shirt with long sleeves - it will save your hands from sunburn.

Be sure to take a winter hat and gloves - you will sleep in them. We also need one more headgear - a buff, a cap or panama - for transitions.

To store documents and money, take care of the presence of sealed bags that are not afraid of moisture.

All that is listed above is enough for you for ordinary trekking in the Caucasus. But climbing requires special equipment. The list includes an ice ax, crampons, a belay system, a descender, a jumar and three carabiners. It is also desirable to have a ski mask that will protect your face from wind and sun. Almost everything from this list can be rented immediately before the ascent.

You can always discuss any questions regarding equipment with us, and we will be happy to help you!

The Caucasus Mountains have a well-deserved reputation for being harsh and difficult - it is better to go here after conquering several lower Crimean or Carpathian peaks. But, on the other hand, our club offers hikes in the Caucasus of 2016 of different complexity - among them there are those that are available to beginners without special preparation. Moreover, you can go to or on even with children.

Parking Features

Most of the routes in the Caucasus involve spending the night at popular tourist sites, where there is convenient access to water and plenty of space for tents. In general, there are no problems with water in the Caucasus - during the transitions you will not have to carry a large supply of water with you, and at the halts you will have the opportunity to wash yourself every day.

The situation with firewood is a little worse - not every parking lot will have enough of them. As a rule, hikes in the Caucasus mountains take place with gas burner, it completely solves the problem of cooking.

Separately, it should be said that most of the more or less difficult Caucasian routes pass far from towns and cities. This means that it will most likely be difficult to leave "to civilization" halfway - plan to go through the hike to the end. For example, in our trip to Fisht, a convenient opportunity to leave the race falls only on the 7th day. It also follows that you will have to carry a supply of food with you - there will be no opportunities to buy something along the route.

When is the best time to go hiking in the Caucasus?

You can go on stationary tours with an overnight stay at the hotel at any time of the year - clean air, luxurious landscapes and useful mineral springs tourists are always welcome. But for hiking in the Caucasus, the best season, of course, is summer. And not the very beginning of summer, but closer to its middle - when warm weather will be established even in the mountains.

Please note that at an altitude of over 2500 m above sea level. even in July it can still snow. On the one hand, this provides a unique opportunity to play snowballs at the height of summer, but on the other hand, it obliges you to take care of a warm set of hiking clothes and appropriate shoes.

Most best months July and August are considered. This is the time of more or less stable weather, when the air has already warmed up well, and the autumn coolness has not yet begun. Beginners can still go to the mountains in September, however, with the expectation of colder nights. But October, November and the winter months are only for experienced hikers who are ready for serious difficulties and have good winter equipment. That is why our club does not plan hikes in the Caucasus after September.