Last week I was in the Elbrus region for a test of the new Ford Ranger. At the same time we took the cable car to the Bochki shelter, located at an altitude of 3800 meters above sea level.
Meanwhile, Elbrus itself is considered the highest point of Russia and Europe. It has two peaks (this is an extinct volcano) with a height of 5621 and 5642 meters. To climb to the top, there are three lines of cable cars, then the ascent is possible either on foot or by snowcat.
2. The cable car begins at the Azau station, located at an altitude of 2350 meters above sea level. At night there was a heavy downpour, as a result the mudflow came down. This Niva was captured by the elements, but when we went downstairs, they dug it out and left.
3. At the first stage, there are two lifts. An old pendulum cable car with two cabins for 20 people each. And a new gondola-type cable car with detachable cabins (58 in total) with a capacity of 8 people each. They arrive at the Stary Krugozor station (altitude 3000 meters).
4. The next line of cable cars goes from the Stary Krugozor station (3000 meters) to the Mir station (3500 meters). Here is exactly the same scheme of movement with two cable cars: the old (pendulum) and new (gondola type). The cost of an excursion lift on a gondola cable car is 600 rubles, on a pendulum cable car - 300.
6. If in Mineralnye Vody that day the temperature was +30 ° C, then here, at an altitude of more than 3500 meters, it became cold.
7. Tourists descend to the cable car.
8. The summits of Elbrus are densely covered with clouds. In the foreground, you can see numerous snow groomers and snowmobiles, which offer to take a little higher for 1000 rubles. Further, there is "Shelter 11" (height 4130 meters), where in 1938 was built the highest hotel in Russia, which burned down in 1998.
9. Melting glacier.
10. General view of the shelter "Bochki".
11. Disassembled snowcat.
12. Shelter "Bochki" consists of 9 six-seater dwelling containers-barrels, where tourists undergo acclimatization before climbing to the top of Elbrus. Also, notice how the concrete slabs moved in front of them.
13. Shop with beer at an altitude of 3800 meters. Correctly, what else to do during the acclimatization period.
14. Because There is no time for acclimatization and climbing Elbrus, and we have to fly to Moscow on the same day - we go down.
15. Finally, there is a picture of an excellent alpine toilet of the toilet type, located at the Mir station (3500 meters above sea level). And yet, I almost forgot to say - I was extremely surprised by the availability of free Wi-Fi Internet at this height. I won't even write about the amount of garbage, and so everything is clear ...
Elbrus is the highest peak in Russia. It is located in the North Caucasus, where the border between Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia passes. Immediate big cities- Mineral waters, Nalchik, Pyatigorsk. Elbrus is considered the standard natural beauty and a symbol of a healthy lifestyle. Recently, the legendary peak became a laureate of the "7 Wonders of Russia" competition.
Elbrus Anatomy
From the side, Elbrus resembles a two-humped camel, since it has two peaks at once. One is only two dozen meters higher than the other. The western reaches a height of 5642 m. The eastern one is slightly lower - 5621 m. From a distance it seems that they are located very close to each other. In fact, there is almost a kilometer and a half between them. The so-called Elbrus saddle separates the peaks. The steepness of the rocks is on average 350.
There is an honorable world rating called "Seven Summits". It includes the highest mountains from six parts of the world. Elbrus is in the lead in Europe. Mont Blanc is in second place. It lags behind its Caucasian competitor by as much as 832 m! The nuance is that there are several methods for determining the border between Europe and Asia. Elbrus is considered "European" if it is taken along the Greater Caucasus Range. Due to uncertainty, both peaks - Elbrus and Mont Blanc - were included in the rating.
Photo: Once upon a time, fiery lava flowed along the slopes of Elbrus
From a geological point of view, Elbrus is a typical stratovolcano, which is characterized by a conical shape. Its strata consists of layers of solidified lava and volcanic ash. Three million years ago, real hell reigned in these places. In total, Elbrus has been erupting for almost 250 thousand years! Looking at the peaceful peak today, it is hard to believe. The last burst of volcanic activity occurred about 80 thousand years ago. By human standards, this is a huge period, but by geological standards, it is an instant. Some scientists believe that the volcano is still expecting a surge in activity.
There is no bad weather
The Elbrus region is characterized by a sharp change in weather. On average, the cycles last about a week. Good weather followed by bad weather, then the idyll reigns again. In the first half of summer, rains are frequent guests. At an altitude of up to 2000 m, the maximum temperature can reach +35. The average temperature is much lower. With height, it decreases even more. However, this is enough to slightly melt the glaciers. They give rise to such large rivers like Kuban, Malka and Baksan.
Autumn in the mountains begins in the second half of August, and winter at an altitude of more than 2000 m can come as early as October. The average January temperature is -12, but drops sharply with height. Because of this, Elbrus is called "Little Antarctica". For every 200 m ascent, the temperature decreases by one degree. In winter, frost is fierce at the top. The temperature can drop to -40, and the wind speed, on the contrary, increase to 40 m / s! Such harsh conditions prevail at an altitude of over 4000 m.
Most of the snow falls on the southern slopes. The north side is less snowy. The average thickness of the snow cover is 0.8 meters. The beginning of spring in the mountains falls in the first half of May. During this period, at an altitude of up to 3000 m, the snow is actively melting and descending in the form of wet avalanches. Bright sun is a danger all year round. To save yourself from an overdose of ultraviolet radiation, you must have a protective cream and dark glasses.
Photo: Most snow falls on the southern slopes
Climatic conditions determine the specificity of the fauna and flora of the Elbrus region. The mountains are inhabited by Caucasian tours, chamois, roe deer. Wild boars are found at the foot. If you're lucky, yaks can be spotted on the slopes. They tried to breed them artificially, but the experiment was unsuccessful. Elks, jackals, wolves, foxes are found in the forests. Belt alpine meadows were chosen by the Caucasian black grouse, mountain turkey, stone partridge, as well as feathered predators - black vulture, lamb, golden eagle and others. It is worth being wary of vipers, although the mountaineers claim that meeting her is fortunate!
Why Elbrus?
Names are given by people, so Elbrus remained unnamed for a long time after its birthday. With the advent of people, the mountain received several names at once. This is due to the fact that they were invented by representatives of different tribes who did not have a written language and did not communicate with each other. Kabardino-Balkarians called it "Mingi Tau" - "Eternal Mountain". In Kumyk, her name sounded like "Askhar-tau" - "Snow Mountain of Ases". Adyghe people called "Kuskhyamakhu" - "Mountain bringing happiness".
By official version the word "Elbrus" comes from the Persian "al-borji", which means "heaving". At least in the territory of modern Iran there is a mountain called Elburz. In the Ossetian language there is a word "albors" - a high mountain. Georgians call the "snow mane" "yalbuz". Apparently, over time, the names have merged and transformed. This is how the "arithmetic mean" Elbrus appeared.
Photo: Elbrus region - the territory of traditions and legends
As with any cult place, many legends are associated with Elbrus. Some of them explain the presence of two peaks. It is believed, for example, that they owe their appearance to Noah, who during the Flood touched the top with his ark and split it in two. To repair the damaged ship, he tried to stick to the mountain, but could not do it. Then Noah cursed her, wishing eternal winter. Since then, the two peaks of Elbrus have always been covered with ice and snow.
A brief history of ascents
As a prospector dreams of finding the largest nugget, alpinists have always dreamed of conquering Elbrus. And they not only dreamed, but also conquered. Scientists were the pioneers. This happened in July 1829. Then the mountain peak was stormed by such famous personalities as the creator of the St. Petersburg geophysical observatory Adolf Kupfer and physicist Emily Lenz. Even botanist Karl Meyer and artist Joseph Bernardazzi became climbers for a while!
The expedition was led by General Georgy Emmanuel. Then he commanded the Caucasian fortified area. The event was purely scientific in nature. The ascent was provided by 650 soldiers and 350 Cossacks. Scientists, guides and 20 Cossacks took part in the storming of Elbrus. Before Eastern summit only four reached. And they climbed the Western Summit for the first time only in 1874.
Photo: General George Emmanuel
Forty years later, Elbrus submitted to the English climbers. Then came the era of records. German Merzbacher and Austrian Purcheller climbed to the top in just eight hours! In 1925, the first woman conquered the summit. Since the middle of the 20th century, climbers' ascents have become massive. And now the folk path is not overgrown here. Elbrus beckons and attracts like a huge magnet.
There have been legendary cases in the history of conquests. So in 1974, three UAZ-469 SUVs climbed to an altitude of 4200 meters! This was done without the aid of winches. Since the air is very thin at this altitude, the engines did not run at full power. Cars often got stuck in the snow. They had to be dug out with shovels. However, people and cars survived. A unique "ascent" has taken place!
Elbrus for skiers
If there are slopes and snow, then there are also ski resorts... Elbrus region is no exception in this regard. Ski complexes "Azau" and "Cheget" are located in the Elbrus region of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, 186 km from Mineralnye Vody. Ski area "Azau" is suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. Cheget is more suitable for advanced users.
The skiing season in the Elbrus region lasts from October to May. The high season is from February to April. In the spring, they not only ride on the slopes, but also sunbathe. Skiing is possible on glaciers all year round.
Photo: The skiing season lasts from October to May
On the slopes of "Azau" there are 3 tracks: "Glade Azau - Krugozor" (length - 5100 m, difficult), "Krugozor - Mir" (5110 m, average), "Mir - Gara-Bashi" (2000 m, easy). The stations are located at altitudes from 2350 to 3847 m. It is possible to climb even higher, but for this you will have to use a snowcat. The height difference on the slopes is from 347 to 650 m. The total length of the slopes is 12.2 km, and the total height difference is 1497 m. The width of the tracks is from 60 to 80 m. The artificial snowmaking system allows you to ski up to 180 days a year.
The capacity of the lifts to the Mir station is 2400 people / hour, to Gara-Bashi - 1400 people / hour. The Baksan Valley is clearly visible from the Krugozor station. Above you will find a panorama of the Greater Caucasus Range. And from the maximum point - glaciers. Station "Gara-Bashi" "hovers" above the clouds and is considered the highest in Europe. The lifts are open from 9:00 to 17:00. On the rise - until 16:00.
There are eight types of ski passes on sale - from a one-time lift to a six-day pass. Children under 6 years old - admission to the lifts is free. On weekends, the cost of a ski pass increases by an average of 20%. In the period from 22.05 to 01.12 summer rates are in effect, providing only one-time descent and ascent. At this time, not skiers, but climbers climb the mountains.
In "Cheget" there are more difficult conditions for skiing. Local routes are more difficult than many European ones. In 1963, skiers first took a chair lift. Now Cheget has 15 tracks. They are laid at heights from 2100 to 3050 m. total length reaches 20 km. There are luxurious facilities for snowboarders and freeriders. The easiest trail is at the top of the slope.
There are three sections of the cable car at Cheget. One- and two-seat lifts operate from Chegetskaya Polyana to the Cheget-2 station (2100-2750 m). To the station "Cheget-3" (2750-3000 m) ascend on a one-chair or drag lift. Until the highest point (3070 m), only a drag lift operates. The resort offers two ski pass options - one-time and one-day. There are several hotels on the Chegenskaya Polyana, in the immediate vicinity of the ski lifts.
The resorts have shops that sell everything you need for skiing alpine skiing and snowboarding. Equipment rental is available. Beginners can hire an instructor. Excursions are organized for tourists. The main attractions are the Narzan Valley, Chegem waterfalls, the Bezengi glacier, Blue Lake, waterfall " Girly braids», national park"Elbrus".
Currently, in the Elbrus region, there are more than 70 accommodation places, including alpine camps, guest houses, boarding houses and hotels. Accommodation conditions can vary greatly in value depending on the services provided. In addition to hotels, you can stay in the private sector in the villages of Terskol, Baidaevo, Tegenekli, Elbrus, Neutrino. Housing prices fall in proportion to the distance from the lifts.
Photo: There are more than 70 accommodation places in the Elbrus region
Climbing routes
For beginners, climbing Elbrus along the southern slope is optimal. The route starts at "Glade Azau". To the station "Gara-Bashi", located at an altitude of 3847 m, the lift delivers tourists in one hour. Anyone can go up to the Oblique ledge at an altitude of 5100 m by snowcat. For those who want to test themselves, it is better to overcome this stage on their own, without using technical means.
The southern route passes by Shelter 11 (4130 m) and Pastukhov Rocks (4700 m), which are named after the famous Russian climber Andrey Pastukhov. Then you will have to overcome the Saddle at an altitude of 5300 m. This part of the route is rather simple. But at the final stage you will have to work hard. To conquer Elbrus, you need to overcome a rather steep climb. But the view from the Western Summit is stunning!
The northern slope of the mountain is considered more difficult. The route is designed for trained climbers. Climbing the top along the classic path of pioneers is not an easy task. This route is often used to conquer the Eastern Summit. The glacier starts from a height of 3800 m, so here you will need "crampons". At the Lenz Rocks at an altitude of 4800 m, you will have to stop for a rest in order to acclimatize. Having gained strength and accustomed to the thin air, you can storm the summit.
From the eastern side to Elbrus, a route has been laid along the Achkeryakol lava flow. This is a rather lengthy and difficult climbing option. The route goes through Irik-Chat (3667 m) - one of the most beautiful passes of the Elbrus region. An excellent view of the lava flow and the Jikauchenkez ice plateau opens from here. The object of conquest is the Western Summit.
The name "Wild West" is best suited to the western slope of Elbrus. This is an option for extreme lovers. Civilization bypassed these places - there are no snow groomers or lifts. It is chosen by tourists in good physical shape, since all equipment from beginning to end will have to be carried in backpacks. Victory is celebrated at the Western Summit.
For those who climb, there are shelters in the mountains. This is the name of the place where you can hide from the bad weather, relax, spend the night. The first shelter on Elbrus appeared in 1909 at an altitude of 3200 m. It could accommodate only five people. In 1932, the Shelter of Eleven appeared at an altitude of 4200 meters. It already accommodated 40 people. Then the Sadlovina and Shelter of Nine shelters were opened. They are still in effect.
Of the new shelters, the "Barrels" should be noted. A dozen six-seater cylinder-shaped houses are located near the Gara-Bashi station at an altitude of 3847 m. popular place start before the assault on Elbrus. Nearby there are Khasan's shelter for 12 people and the Kotelnaya shelter, which accommodates up to 50 people. Shuvalov, Maria and Esen shelters operate on the south side.
The most high-mountainous comfortable shelter is LeapRus. It is located on the southern slope at an altitude of 3900 m and is designed for 48 people. It has all the delights of civilization - heating, hot water and lighting. Solar panels provide tourists with electricity.
Photo: High-level mountain hotel
Our tourist club offers the following climbing programs for Elbrus:
- Climbing with tents from the north side to the east peak
How to get there
By plane you can get to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik. From there, take a bus or taxi to Terskol, a village in Kabardino-Balkaria. It is considered a spa center. Organized tourists order a transfer through travel agencies. The trip from Nalchik will take about 3 hours, from Mineralnye Vody - 4 hours.
There are railway stations in Nalchik, Pyatigorsk, Mineralnye Vody and Prokhladny. There is a daily train between Moscow and Nalchik. By trains Moscow - Kislovodsk you will get to Mineralnye Vody or Pyatigorsk, and by train Moscow - Vladikavkaz - to Prokhladnaya station.
To large settlements Intercity buses run in the Elbrus region. In their cars, tourists go to Elbrus through Krasnodar or Rostov-on-Don.
The highest peak in Russia belongs to the mountain system Caucasus mountains... This is the two-headed Elbrus, located on the border of two Caucasian republics - Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria. The highest mountain in Russia is 5642 meters high. Some researchers have assigned it the title of the highest in Europe, but this is not entirely true. Alpine Mont Blanc (4807) is really inferior in height to Elbrus. But Elbrus is located north of the Main Caucasian ridge, along which the border of Europe and Asia passes. The lateral ridge, to which Mount Elbrus belongs, definitely belongs to Asia.
Mount Elbrus - photo
The first mentions of the highest peak of Russia in historical literature can be found in the "Book of Victories". In the descriptions of Tamerlane's military campaigns, there is information that the “great lame man” climbed Elbrus in order to pray there.
At the top of Elbrus
Mount Elbrus - photo
The Caucasus also attracted conquerors at a later time. During the Great Patriotic War the German special service "Ahnenerbe", which was engaged in the study of paranormal phenomena and occult forces, showed great interest in the Elbrus region. During the battle for the Caucasus, a special group of mountain riflemen of the Edelweiss division was allocated, who in 1942 placed German flags on both peaks of Elbrus. Soviet troops removed them in February 1943, and the battle for the Shelter of the Eleven went down in history as the highest battle in the mountains of the Second World War. Until now, frozen bodies of the dead and various ammunition are found in the Caucasian glaciers.
Elbrus Is an extinct volcano with two peaks. They are connected by a saddle at an altitude of about 5300 meters. The lower peak, which has a height of 5621 meters, is considered by geologists to be younger in age. It has retained a clear crater and a regular cone shape. The older summit of Mount Elbrus, which lies in a trap, is significantly destroyed.
Two peaks of Elbrus - photo
The greatest peak of the Caucasus last erupted around 50 AD. This does not allow the volcano to be called extinct, since such volcanoes are called that have not erupted in the memory of mankind. Volcanologists prefer to call it dormant and believe that the peaks of its activity occurred in periods of 30, 100 and 220 thousand years ago. The structure of volcanic ash, cooled lava and tuff, arranged in layers, is also characteristic.
Mount Elbrus - photo
Mount Elbrus - photo
The slopes of Elbrus, relatively gentle at the bottom, above 4000 meters become steep up to 35 degrees. It is easier to climb from the east or south, since there are a lot of steep sections with elevation differences up to 700 meters on the northern and western slopes.
Scheme of the route of ascent to Elbrus
All the Caucasus is characterized by high-altitude zonation, which is expressed in the alternation of natural zones when climbing from the foot to the top. On Elbrus, the snow line is located at an altitude of 3500 meters. Alpine meadows end here and above there are only rocks, snow and glaciers. Since the snow does not melt above this line, the mountain always has a snow-white cap, which allows us to call it Little Antarctica. This cap is clearly visible in the photo of Mount Elbrus.
Mount Elbrus - photo
The total area of the glaciers is 135 square kilometers. Among the largest are Bolshoi and Maly Azau, as well as Terskop. They serve as the basis for feeding the Caucasus, including the Kuban. Numerous tongues of glaciers descend into valleys, where they melt, leaving deposits.
The first documented ascent to the eastern, lower peak took place in 1829. Kabardian Kilar Khashirov, who served as a guide for the Russian expedition, ascended it on July 22.
The height of Mount Elbrus was a great irritant for climbers, and in 1874 the highest point of the Caucasus was conquered by the team of Florence Grove. A simple hunter Akhiya Sottayev became a true record holder in ascents. He was not only the first to visit both peaks, but also made nine ascents, the last one at a more than venerable age. At that time he was 121 years old!
Elbrus is a popular tourist area. The volcanic heat generated hot mineral springs... Their temperature reaches 60 degrees. Bathing in the springs is used in the prevention and treatment of many types of diseases.
Alpine hotel "Shelter of eleven"
These places are popular with ski lovers. They have at their disposal numerous trails equipped with lifts. On most of them, the season lasts from October to May, but on the peaks above 3800 meters, skiing is possible all year round. Many amateurs extreme sports... They get to the very peaks of the mountains using helicopters and go down on skis or snowboards. It is not uncommon for such extreme athletes to become the culprits of avalanches.
Barrel shelter
The tourist attraction of Elbrus has increased after the Sochi Olympics. It was used to attract not only Russian, but also foreign tourists and amateurs to the region. winter species sports. This was partly successful, and for foreigners Mount Elbrus is now associated not only with the highest point of Russia, but also with high-quality ski slopes.
Thus, the height of Mount Elbrus, which is more than five and a half kilometers, can become not only a part of geographic statistics, but also a starting point for the development of an entire region.
Views from the top of Elbrus
Two peaks, crowning a cone-shaped volcano, are separated by a saddle, the height of which is 5300 m. The Elbrus summits are two independent volcanoes formed on an ancient volcanic base. The height of the young cone, located in the east, is 5621 m. This volcano has retained its classic cone-shaped shape with a pronounced crater. The height of the maximum point of Elbrus - the western peak - reaches 5642 m. This volcano has enough ancient history, which is reflected in the state of its upper part - it is partially destroyed by a vertical fault.
Elbrus is a saddle-shaped cone of a volcano that was last active in 50 AD. NS. It was most active about 225 thousand, then 110-70 thousand and less than 30 thousand years ago. The mountain, formed about a million years ago, is composed of alternating layers of lava, ash and tuff.
The slopes of Elbrus are mostly gentle, but starting from an altitude of 4000 meters, the average angle of inclination reaches 35 degrees. The northern and western slopes are strewn with sheer rocky areas up to 700 meters high. The eastern and southern ones are more gentle and even.
Flowers on the southern slope of Elbrus:
At an altitude of more than 3500 meters, the volcano is covered with stone deposits, rocks and glaciers. The number of the latter is about 70 pieces, and their total area is 134.5 km². The most famous glaciers of Elbrus are Terskop, Bolshoi and Maly Azau. The streams erupting from them, connecting, create the three main rivers of the region - Baksanu, Kuban and Malke. The glacier-free surface is covered with moraines. A huge cap of ice and snow keeps the picturesque shape of the Kazakhstani volcano all year round. It is because of this snow cap that Elbrus is called Minor Antarctica.
The first written records of the two-peaked volcano can be found in the "Book of Victories" written by the Persian historian and poet, Sharaf al-Din Yazdi. It tells about the Central Asian conqueror Tamerlane, who during his military campaigns climbed to the top of Elbrus to pray.
The peoples of the Caucasus and the Middle East laid down about Elbrus a large number of songs and legends. One of the legends tells that the mountain used to be one-humped. The magic bird Simurg lived on its top, gifting the highlanders who inhabited the valleys of the mountain gorges with happiness and prosperity. This idyll lasted for many centuries, until the desire to take possession of the heavenly throne of the bird led to its possession by two greedy people. Their fierce struggle was stopped by higher powers: a blinding lightning cut the sky, a terrible thunder broke out and Elbrus split in two, spewing out fiery streams incinerating everything in its path. After such a terrible fight, the magic bird Simurg hid deep underground, grieved by the ingratitude and greed of people.
According to the research of scientists, Elbrus did not remind of itself for quite a long time, but despite this, the current level of activity does not give experts a reason to attribute it to extinct volcanoes, now it has the "sleeping" status. The volcano is indeed quite active, both internally and externally. In its depths there are still hot masses that heat the local “Hot Narzans” - springs saturated with mineral salts and carbon dioxide, the temperature of which reaches + 52 ° C and + 60 ° C. The life of many famous springs begins in the depths of the volcano. health resorts Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk and the entire region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters.
The climate on Elbrus is characterized by the severity that makes it akin to the Arctic regions. The average temperature in the warmest month of the year does not rise above -1.4 ° C. There is a lot of precipitation here, but they are mainly presented only in the form of snow.
The most beautiful peaks of the Caucasus are located around the two-headed giant: Nakra-Tau, Ushba, Donguz-Orun.
For the first time, a man managed to reach the eastern (lower) peak of the volcano on July 22, 1829. This was done by the conductor of the Russian scientific expedition, a Kabardian by nationality, Kilar Khashirov. The highest peak of Elbrus (western) was conquered by a team of climbers led by Florence Grove in 1874. The first to reach both peaks was the Balkar hunter and shepherd Akhiya Sottayev. During the period of his long life, he conquered Elbrus nine times: he made the first ascent at the age of more than forty, and the last one in 1909, when he was 121 years old.
At the top of Elbrus:
View from the top of Elbrus:
The study of Elbrus by Russian scientists began actively in the 19th century. Academician V.K. Vishnevsky in 1913 was the first to determine the height and location of the volcano. In addition to the status of a unique natural landmark, the famous Caucasian peak is also an important scientific base. Even before the war, the first experiments with cosmic rays in the Soviet Union were carried out here, and today it houses the highest geophysical laboratory.
The territory of the Elbrus region is a major center for tourism and skiing. The bulk of the guests are fans of winter sports, including extreme sports, which are very popular in these mountains. In addition to the usual snowboards, sledges and freeride, thrill hunters have organized a new entertainment, which is an ascent to the top of Elbrus by helicopter and subsequent descent from the mountain on skis. For more conservative skiers, there are cable cars, the average throughput of which is 2,400 people per hour.
A report about Mount Elbrus will tell you what Mount Elbrus is known for and where it is located.
A message about Mount Elbrus
Elbrus- stratovolcano in the Caucasus - the highest Mountain peak Russia and Europe included in the list highest peaks parts of the world "Seven Summits".
In the 19th century, scientific research on the summit began. The exact height and location were determined only in 1913. The goal of the first expedition in 1829 was to reach the summit of the Elbrus volcano. It included such great scientists as Kupfer, Lenz, Minetrie. Having reached an altitude of 2400m, the group moved on. Above the mark of 4800 m, only 5 people reached, and only three people reached the saddle of Elbrus. They could not go further because of the very softened snow.
The first who conquered the peaks of Elbrus was Akhiya Sottaev, when he was already over 40 years old. After the first ascent, he climbed the mountain 8 more times. And the last rise Sottaev made at the age of 121.
Where is Elbrus mountain?
Elbrus is not only the highest point in Europe, but also a place of pilgrimage. It is located between Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria, and the peoples living there have created many legends. For example, about the origin of the name. From Iranian "Aytbares" means high mountain, from the Georgian "Yalbuz" means ice and storm. According to another theory, the name of the mountain is composed of three words: "El" - settlement, "Bur" - to twist, "Us" - character.
Mount Elbrus description
Elbrus height above sea level is 5642 m. Moreover, the height of the western peak is 5642 m, and the eastern one is 5621 m. Between them there is a saddle, which is inferior in height by only 300 m. There are more than 80 glaciers on the mountain, the largest are Bolshoy Azau, Irik and Terskol ... They give rise to many rivers Malka, Terek, Baksan and Kuban.
Alpine meadows and coniferous forests are located below the location of the glaciers. The slopes themselves are rocky. The mountains were formed more than a million years ago, and at the beginning Elbrus was active volcano... Today scientists are still arguing about whether the volcano is asleep or extinguished. The “sleeping” version is favored by the fact that hot masses are preserved in its depths, which heat the local thermal springs to + 60 ° C.
The mountain itself is composed of layers of tuff, ash and lava. The last eruption was recorded in 50 AD.
Climate
The climatic conditions around the slopes are mild. Humidity is not high here, so frosts are easily tolerated. But higher, on the volcano, the climate is already harsh, similar to the arctic. Winter at the foot of the mountain average temperature ranges from 10 0 С to - 25 0 С, and at the top up to -40 ° С. On Elbrus, precipitation is abundant and frequent, mainly in the form of snow. The air warms up to + 10 ° C in summer at an altitude of 2500 m, and even in July the temperature barely reaches -14 ° C. The weather is characterized by instability - a calm clear day can be replaced by a snow storm with strong wind gusts.
Relief
The climate at the foot of the mountain is diverse: there are many gorges, rocky deposits. And on the slopes, even in summer, you can see melting snowflakes. On the surface of Elbrus there are glaciers with an ice thickness of 400 m. The glacial water forms streams that break down with waterfalls. Moraines, circuses, glacial lakes are widespread from an altitude of 3500 m.
Flora and fauna
On the meadows of Elbrus, velvet greenery, pine forests, and woody and shrubby plants grow. The flora includes 3000 species. It includes pine, alder, mint, celandine, sea buckthorn, thyme, fennel, wormwood, rose hips, St. John's wort, and coltsfoot.
The fauna is represented by the tour, mountain goat, gopher, raccoon dog, wild boar, chamois, jackal, roe deer, foxes, wolves, wild cat, lynx, squirrels and bears.
The sky was conquered by vultures, eagles and kites, golden eagles, saker falcons, titmouses, bullfinches, blackbirds, woodpeckers.
- The local population calls Elbrus "Mingi-tau", which means "Mountain of thousands". The name emphasizes its height and size.
- This is a very difficult mountain to climb. In winter, it is generally forbidden to climb it.
- Elbrus is mentioned in the works of Herodotus. The ancient Greek historian pointed out that the god Zeus chained Prometheus to her because he gave fire to people.
We hope that the report on Mount Elbrus helped you in preparing for the classes. And you can leave your message about Mount Elbrus through the comment form below.
