Climbing Kazbek from the North

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Nature untouched by civilization, mineral and thermal springs, an overnight stay in the middle of the ice kingdom, the incredible Karmadon gorge — this short trip promises you a whole kaleidoscope of emotions and impressions. No cable cars, recreation centers and crowds of tourists, just you and the mountains.

You will drive through the famous gorge, learn the basics of mountaineering and swim in the hot springs.

Location

Republic of North Ossetia — Alania, Vladikavkaz

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

The basics of mountaineering

We will walk in bundles on the Miley Glacier, climb the rocks of the control force of the OZD peak, learn how to use a cat and an ice axe

Hot springs

After a long journey, we will relax and swim in the thermal water lakes

The romance of the mountains

We are waiting for overnight stays in the middle of the ice kingdom, because the assault camp is located near the top

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting in Vladikavkaz and thermal waters
We will meet in the morning in Vladikavkaz.
We recommend taking tickets with an early arrival, or arriving a day in advance to rest and sleep after the flight.
We leave at about 9:00, by registered transfer (transfer about 2 hours) before the border control, we issue a pass to the border zone.
Unlike many other border zones, a pass is issued here quickly and on the spot, it is not necessary to submit applications in advance.
After all participants have received passes, we make the transition to the thermal springs called Upper Karmadon baths.
They are located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level.
The road is a path through picturesque Alpine meadows surrounded by mountains untouched by civilization.
We walk along the trail with backpacks for about 5 hours.
Our reward is rest and swimming in lakes with thermal waters.
The water temperature in them is about +45 ° C.
We set up camp nearby and stay overnight.

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Day 2 - Transfer to the 3000 m parking lot and the Miley Glacier
In the morning, we assemble the camp, take backpacks and cross the wooden bridge over the Genaldon River.
Tourism ends here and mountaineering begins.
We climb a rocky moraine along a steep slope, gradually reaching the Miley Glacier.
Using the equipment, we cross the glacier, then climb the steep rocky slope, using the railing for another hour.
The travel time is about 5-6 hours.
We spend the night in tents at an altitude of 3000 m with a view of the Karmadon gorge.

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Day 3 - Ascent to the Kresty parking lot 3500 m
This transition will be much shorter.
We climb up the buttress of the OZD peak, to the Kresty parking lot (3500 m).
Travel time is 2-3 hours.
We are putting up tents.
We rest the rest of the day and if we have strength left, we go to the radial exit light to an altitude of 3800-4000 m.

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Day 4 - Transfer to the assault camp — 4,200 m
We're packing up the camp and moving on.
We go out onto the Kazbek plateau and climb up to the assault camp at an altitude of 4,200 m, from where we finally have a view of the top.
We conduct snow and ice classes (self-restraint on the slope, walking in cats, moving in bundles).
We are listening to a short lecture on the basics of safety in the mountains.
We go to bed very early to get enough sleep before the assault.

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Day 5 - The assault
We wake up in the middle of the night, have breakfast, move out to storm!
The journey time to the top is 6-7 hours.
The descent to the camp at 4,200 m is another 4 hours.
We have a snack in the camp, pack tents and go down to the Kresty parking lot 3500 m.
Here we set up camp and stay overnight.

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Day 6 - A spare day in case of bad weather
A spare day in case of bad weather.
If we were lucky with the weather, and we went to the top the day before, then we go down to rest for an extra day on the Karmadon baths.

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Day 7 - Descent to the Karmadon baths
We descend to the Karmadon baths (2300 m) — the place of the first overnight stay.
The descent time is about 4 hours.

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Day 8 - Return to Vladikavkaz and the memorial
In the morning, we assemble the camp for the last time and return to the border post, from where a transfer will pick us up and take us back to Vladikavkaz.
On the way, we will stop at the memorial to the victims of the tragedy in the Karmadon gorge, where director Sergei Bodrov and his film crew died.
We will be in the city in the late afternoon, around 17:00.
The program can be adjusted depending on the weather and the condition of the participants.

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Difficulty

Only for experienced and physically fit hikers. Requires specific skills and equipment

Tour organizer's comments

You will have a full-fledged expedition with climbing without casting and with a change in altitude.

High physical fitness is required. Climbing Kazbek from the north is a physically difficult task, because all along the way you will have to carry all your things with you, a full—fledged expedition on your own without casting. In addition, the height will make itself felt. Technically, the route has a category 2B.

Accommodation

Tent

7 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour provides accommodation in tents.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 50,000 rubles.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

18 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Republic of North Ossetia — Alania, Vladikavkaz

Included in price

the work of a guide;
transfer Vladikavkaz — border outpost — Vladikavkaz;
consultations with the guide and the organizers in preparation for the ascent;
navigation and satellite communications;
meals on the active part of the route;
mountaineering equipment rental;
rent of public camping equipment;
group first aid kit;
a corporate certificate of ascent.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Vladikavkaz and back;
meals in Vladikavkaz and during transfers;
satellite phone calls;
insurance against n/a;
rent of personal equipment (sleeping bag, backpack, clothes, shoes).

It's important to know

Shoes:

mountain boots with hard soles (preferably with cat welts);
trekking boots (can be replaced with sturdy sneakers);
light slippers for the camp.

Clothes:

thermal underwear;
warm trousers made of warm quick—drying fabrics - softshell, windblock, windstopper;
jacket made of warm quick—drying fabrics - softshell, windblock, windstopper;
windproof jacket (preferably made of membrane)
windproof trousers (preferably made of membrane);
a down jacket with a hood (down or synthetic);
gloves (Polartec, fleece);
mittens (as warm as possible);
2 pairs of thermal socks (you can use regular ones, but thermal socks dry faster);
1 pair of warm socks (for overnight stays);
2 pairs of regular socks;
hat (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, polartec, fleece);
balaclava or buff (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, polartec, fleece);
bandana or panama hat (head protection from the sun);
lightweight trousers/shorts;
T-shirt/T-shirt (2 pcs.);
underwear (2 pcs.);
swimsuit;
raincoat.

Camping equipment:

backpack (for men 80-90 liters, for girls 60-70 liters);
a cape for a backpack (in case of rain);
snow-proof shoe covers (gaiters, flashlights);
trekking poles (with attachments so that they do not fall into the snow);
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature (not extreme!) at least -5 °C);
hob (polyurethane seat);
karemat (Thick polyurethane mat (you can take 2 pcs.);
headlamp with LEDs (be sure to insert new batteries);
water container (thermos, hydrator, 1-1.5 liter bottle);
sunglasses (important — glasses with a UV filter, protection level at least 3).

Personal items:

hygienic lipstick, sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 50;
toothpaste, brush;
towel, bath accessories (small towel, made of quick-drying materials);
a patch for the prevention of calluses (2-3 cm wide);
first aid kit for "favorite diseases" and vitamins;
mug, plate, spoon, knife;
toilet paper.

Documents:

Russian passport;
a photocopy of the passport (for registration of a pass);
MHI policy;
cash.

Dates and Prices

$540

5 – 12 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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