| Extinct volcano located in the eastern part
of Central Caucasus. |
| 16558 ft (5047 m)
Highest point in Georgia
. |
| Location: |
Eastern Caucasus,
just south of Russia-Georgia border |
| Lat / Long: |
42.7� N, 44.5� E |
| Volcanic Type: |
Stratovolcano |
| Volcanic Status: |
Dormant |
| First Ascent: |
D. W. Freshfield, C. C. Tucker, A. W. Moore,
and F. Devouassoud, 1868 |
| First Ski Descent: |
|
| Skiable Vertical: |
up to 11000 ft (3300 m) |
|
|
Kazbek is a prominent and historically well-known volcano, one
of six peaks in the Caucasus to exceed the 5000 meter mark (Elbrus
and Kazbek are the only volcanoes in that select group). Kazbek
sits just west of the main road extending north from Tbilisi,
Georgia, into Russia, which has been a major route through the
Caucasus for many centuries. Kazbek towers more than 11000 ft
(3300 m) above the town of Kazbegi in a distance of only 6 miles
(10 km), a very impressive vertical rise. Yet the volcano itself
is a relatively small cone about 1500 ft (450 m) in height sitting
atop a high pedestal of older non-volcanic rock which forms the
crest of the Caucasus Mountains. Eight major glaciers flow from
the summit region far down into the adjacent valleys, and weather
conditions can be exceptionally severe, with temperatures as low
as -94�F (-70�C) recorded at the old meteorological observatory at
12000 ft (3600 m). The standard climbing or skiing route ascends
west from Kazbegi up the Gergeti Glacier to this observatory and
continues on to the prominent pass west of the peak, then turns
east along the ridge to the summit.
Kazbek - Dzhimarai-Tepli
Kazbek is a top in the central part of the Big
Caucasus, in Georgia (5033 m). There are subalpine meadows on its
slopes, and higher there are eternal snows. The general area of the
glaciers is 135 км2. Dzhimara (Dzhimarai-Khokh, Gimarai-Khokh) is the
top of the Big Caucasus to the West from Kazbek (4780 m).
Kazbek and Eastern Caucasus
In the Eastern Caucasus, the weather is drier than in the Western
and Central ranges, and the mountains form isolated massifs, rather
than glaciated chains. At the far eastern end, semi-desert conditions
prevail as the range approaches the Caspian Sea. The mountains rise
out of barren foothills and are generally lower and less dramatic than
their Central Caucasus neighbors. There are very few glaciers. Gergeti Glacier (normal route)
- From the village of Kazbegi (1700m) to Observatory meteorologigal
station (3680m, 4-6h). From there along Gergeti glacier to summit. RUS 2A
(35-40�), 6-8h.
|
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