Mountainous areas annually attract a large number of tourists from different parts of Russia and from abroad. Currently, there are eight peaks over five thousand meters high on the territory of our country. Most of them are located in Kabardino-Balkaria. All of them are part of the Greater Caucasus mountain system. This article will discuss the features of such areas, as well as the highest points of our country.
To the mountains
Mountainous areas in Russia are located in different regions of the country. If the Greater Caucasus is the highest system, then the rest are noticeably lower, but they also deserve mention. These are the Ural Mountains, the Verkhoyansk Range, Altai, the Eastern and Western Sayan Mountains, the Sikhote-Alin, the Chersky Range. Tourists come here not only to conquer the peaks, but to admire the majestic mountain ranges that rise above the surrounding cities and towns.
The highest point in Russia is currently Elbrus, which is located immediatelyon the territory of two regions - Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Its height is 5642 meters. In total, there are 73 peaks in Russia, the height of which is more than four thousand meters above sea level. Of these, 67 are part of the Greater Caucasus mountain system, three each are in Altai and Kamchatka.
The definition of a mountainous area is known to everyone who goes to conquer the peaks. This is a terrain with rugged terrain and relative elevations. In this case, the absolute height of the relief must exceed a thousand meters.
Conditions
Mountain terrain is always challenging. They are fraught with difficulties that only a physically he althy and strong person can endure.
Perhaps the main feature of the mountainous area is the special climatic conditions. The higher the altitude, the stronger the feeling of low atmospheric pressure, too clean air, increased intensity of solar radiation, high humidity at low temperatures, increased precipitation, as well as strong winds characteristic of these areas.
In mountainous terrain, only a trained person can climb. Therefore, groups of climbers are always accompanied by experienced guides, who, at the first sign of a deterioration in the physical condition of travelers, can interrupt the hike and demand a return to the base camp. Before climbing, you need to understand what dangers are fraught with the peculiarities of the mountainous terrain. Failure to comply with the requirements of experienced climbers can be fraught with the most unfortunate consequences, up todeath.
At an altitude of two to three thousand meters above sea level, a special alpine climate is formed, the signs of which are listed in this article. There they become especially noticeable.
Views
Locations on earth are divided into several types: flat, hilly and mountainous. The mountainous areas in question are divided into several subspecies: low-mountain, mid-mountain and high-mountain areas.
Let's analyze each of them. Low-mountain - the safest type of mountainous terrain for an unprepared person. Its main distinguishing feature is the height above sea level from fifty to one thousand meters. The slopes here are only relatively steep - from 5 to 10 degrees. As a rule, there are many settlements, a fairly developed road network. It is in the lowlands that the ideal conditions for protection against the effects of conventional and nuclear weapons.
The relief of the highlands in the middle mountains is noticeably different. The heights here vary from one to two thousand meters above sea level, and the steepness of the slopes grows up to 25 degrees. Here it is already possible to distinguish individual mountain ranges, peaks, chains and ridges, ridges, which have a predominantly smoothed shape. Significant engineering work is required to ensure cross-country ability, which is fraught with high costs.
The highlands begin at two thousand meters above sea level, and the steepness of the slopes here is most often at least 25 degrees. People rarely live in such areas, there are few roads and mountain passes. Roads, if they exist, are laid along narrow and smallmountain gorges, cross passes at considerable heights, and on the way there are a large number of steep climbs.
Elbrus
The highest mountainous area in Russia - Mount Elbrus. Its peak is at around 5642 meters above sea level. It is included in the list of the seven highest peaks on the planet.
The name of the mountainous area Elbrus, according to the most common version, comes from the Iranian expression Al-Borji, which literally means "uplifting". According to another version, the roots of this word in the Zend language, Elbrus means "high mountain".
This mountainous area in Russia is located in the Lateral Range of the Greater Caucasus. The climate here is not easy, in winter at an altitude of more than three thousand meters the thickness of the snow cover is about 70-80 centimeters, gradually increasing even more. In the spring, snow often comes down as a result of avalanches, which occur until the end of May. At maximum altitudes, snow can remain all year round, increasing the mass of the glacier.
The first person to appreciate this beautiful mountainous area from the top was one of the guides of the expedition organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kilar Khashirov. This happened in 1829. From the top, he brought a piece of bas alt, which was sent to St. Petersburg. Interestingly, the rest of the expedition stopped at an altitude of 5300 meters.
The city in the mountains near Elbrus is considered the highest in the entire North Caucasus. This settlement is called Tyrnyauz. It is located at an altitude of 1307meters above sea level, about 20,500 people live here. The settlement in this place was founded in 1934. Over time, the construction of plants for the extraction of molybdenum and tungsten began here.
In 2000, the so-called Tyrnyauz tragedy took place here. As a result of a powerful mudflow, many residential buildings were flooded. Eight people died, almost forty were listed as missing.
Dykhtau
There are various rocks in the Dykhtau area. This is the peak in Kabardino-Balkaria, the height of which is 5204 meters. It is in second place in Russia after Elbrus.
The mountain itself is a powerful array in the form of a pyramid, composed of crystalline rocks. It highlights the Main and Eastern peaks.
There are about ten sought-after and popular routes for climbers. The first ascent in 1888 was made by the English climber Albert Mummery, climbing the southwest ridge.
Koshtanau
Photo of the mountainous area of Koshtanau you will find in this article. This peak occupies an honorable third place on Russian territory, reaching a mark of 5152 meters.
Its name is locally translated as "a mountain that looks like a distant dwelling". She received such an unusual name because the peak from afar strongly resembles a hut or tent.
This is one of the most inaccessible peaks in the entire Caucasus. Up to five glaciers descend from its northern slopesfirst class.
Trying to conquer her repeatedly, more than once it ended tragically. So, in 1888, while climbing Koshtanau, English climbers Fox and Donkin, as well as two guides from Switzerland who accompanied them, died. Most likely, the first conqueror of this mountain was Herman Woolley. Now it is a very popular climbing site among tourists.
Pushkin Peak
One of the highest mountain peaks in the Caucasus - Pushkin Peak. It is located in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Range at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level.
It is noteworthy that this is part of the Dykhtau mountain range, which we have already talked about in this article. Located on the territory of the reserve between Borovikov Peak and East Dykhtau.
The peak got its name in 1938 as part of the 100th anniversary of the death of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.
On the territory of Russia and Georgia
Dzhangitau is located in the central part of the Main Caucasian Range. The summit is located on the territory of two states at once - Russia and Georgia. The main peak reaches a height of 5085 meters. This is the central part of a unique mountain range 13 kilometers long, which is known as the Bezengi Wall.
This is another popular climbing spot, with several routes at the top, varying in difficulty.
Also on the territory of Russia and Georgia there is another high peak called Shkhara. Its official height is 5068 meters. By the way, in Georgia it is consideredhighest peak.
According to the latest data, the mountain was even higher. In 2010, climbers Boris Avdeev and Peter Schon made the ascent to it, who established with the help of special instruments that in reality the highest point is 5203 meters above sea level. However, most directories still have the old value.
Mount Shkhara is located 90 kilometers from the city of Kutaisi, located on Georgian territory. It, like Dzhangitau, is part of the 13-kilometer massif of the Bezengi wall. The summit itself is made up of schist and granite. Its slopes are mostly covered with glaciers, one is called Bezengi, and the second is Shkhara. By the way, the Inguri River, which flows through Western Georgia, originates from the latter.
It is known that Soviet climbers first climbed this peak in 1933. At the foot of Shkhara is the famous village of Ushguli, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is famous due to the fact that it is the highest mountain settlement in Europe, located at an altitude of 2200 meters. Currently, about 200 people live there, which is approximately 70 families. The village even has its own school.
The architectural ensemble, located on the territory of the village, is considered an important architectural and historical monument. It is thanks to him that the Georgian region of Upper Svaneti entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. The village even preserved ancient Svan tower houses traditional for these areas. On a hill near the village is the Church of Our Lady, built inXI century.
Details about these places became known in 1930, when Mikhail Kalatozov made a documentary called "S alt of Svaneti". It showed local customs and traditions, the harsh laws of the community, which still strictly monitors the observance of rituals and even makes sacrifices.
Kazbek
One of the most famous mountains of the Caucasus is called Kazbek. Its height is 5034 meters above sea level. This is an extinct stratovolcano, which is located in the eastern part of the Khokhsky ridge. The last eruption in this place occurred in 650 BC. The famous Georgian Military Highway passes by Kazbek.
It is believed that the mountain was formed about 805 million years ago. According to the authoritative researcher Nikonov, its name comes from the name of Prince Kazbek, who owned the parish at the foot of the village at the beginning of the 19th century. In Georgian, the mountain is called Mkinvartsveri, which literally means "ice peak".
The first ascent to the summit was made in 1868 by English climbers Tukker, Freshfield and Moore. They came up from the southeast slope.
And the first to describe the mountain in detail was the Russian surveyor Andrei Petukhov, who conducted detailed meteorological and geological studies in these places in 1889. Together with him, the sixty-year-old guide Tsarahov Tepsariko, who was an Ossetian, climbed to the top. They raised a red banner on top, which in clear weather was visible even from Vladikavkaz. In 1891the same route was covered by the German climber and geographer Gottfried Merzbacher.
The first expedition in the USSR climbed to the top of Kazbek in 1923. It consisted of 18 people, most of whom were students and employees of Tbilisi University.
It is to Mount Kazbek that the infamous Karmadon Gorge belongs. In 2002, the descent of the Kolka glacier took place here. A huge mass of ice, snow and stones moved at a speed of 180 km / h. As a result, the village called Upper Karmadon was completely destroyed, more than a hundred people died. Among them was the film crew of the mystical action movie "The Messenger" directed by Sergei Bodrov Jr. The talented actor and director himself also died.
Until now, powerful glaciers descend from different sides of Kazbek: Chach, Gergeti, Abano, Devdorak, Mayli, located in the Genaldon Gorge.
Mount Kazbek is associated with a large number of sights and ancient legends. Here, at an altitude of about 3800 meters, is the Georgian monastery of Betlemi. According to legends, church treasures and shrines have long been stored in it, in the Middle Ages monks climbed into it along an iron chain hung from the outside.
In the vicinity there is also the Trinity Church, which is a key decoration of the Khevi mountain gorge. The temple is spread out right against the backdrop of Kazbek.
Moreover, at an altitude of about 4100 meters there is another ancient monastery complex Betlemi, located in the caves. A little lower is the old building of the weather station, which is no longerworks, but is used as a shelter for climbers. Above the weather station is a small functioning modern chapel.
In 2004, volcanic ash was discovered in the local Mezmayskaya cave, which, according to researchers, dates back to the time of one of the ancient eruptions of Kazbek. It is believed to have occurred about 40,000 years ago, which apparently caused the so-called "volcanic winter", which caused the death of the Neanderthals.
Interestingly, in 2013, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili climbed Mount Kazbek, becoming the second mountaineer president in the post-Soviet space. The first before him was the leader of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who climbed the Abai peak, 4100 meters high, in 1995.
Mizhirgi
Another notable peak in this area is called Mizhirgi. Its maximum height is 5025 meters.
It is part of the Bezengi wall. According to the most common version, it got its name in honor of the Balkarian shepherd Mazhir Attaev, who was the first to climb its peak in the middle of the 19th century.
