This itinerary is slightly modified from the main one for people who prefer gain altitude slower. Includes one night at the campsite in the middle of the walking distance from the Kazbegi town to the mountain hut.
For background information on the program and facilities Valley please see Mount Kazbek Ascent trip.
The following itinerary is a working guide only and it is a subject to variation as a result of climbing, weather and other conditions. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time if necessary.
Arrive in Tbilisi. Transfer airport-city. Hotel. Pre-Trek briefing.
3-4 hrs Drive to the northern part of the Great Caucasus along Aragvi river and then cross the Jvari Pass to the town of Kazbegi (1700m). The vehicle take us to a village of Gergeti, where from we will start our trek to the campsite. The trek takes about 4-5 hours. We gain altitude walking up alpine pastures and enjoy wonderful views of the Caucasian peaks. We cross the Sabertse Pass at 3150 metres and walk down to our campsite at 2950m. Camp
Following paths lead across moraine and crossing the Gergeti Glacier we will get to the Betlemi hut (3680m). About 4-5 hours walking. Several rooms here are habitable. One will not expect much comfort in this high mountain hut.
Sunrise viewed from the refuge provides breathtaking panorama of the Caucasus. This is day for acclimatization. We go up the glacier to about 4300-4400m the nearest glacier for practice with ice axe and crampons. Return to the refuge.
The Summit Day. From the Betlemi hut a gently rising traverse W leads back to N side of the Ortsveri glacier. Now follow the glacier generally NW for 4km, passing under the S side of the mountain, to attain a large snow Maili Plateau at 4500m on the NW side of the summit area (3h); this section is easy if amply snow covered, but later in the day or late in the season great care must be taken as there are many crevasses in the glacier. Now a steeper slope leads to a small saddle on W side of the summit (4900m, 2h). Snow, rocks and easy angled ice (35 to 40 degrees) lead to the top; possibly 4 rope lengths of difficulty - max. PD sup, grade II+ (from Betlemi hut, about 7h). Return to the refuge, 4hrs.
Spare day to attempt Kazbek in case if the weather on the day 5 was bad.
After breakfast we walk down to Kazbegi, 4hrs. Drive to the hotel in Tbilisi and relax.
Transfer to the airport. Departure from Tbilisi.
See also
Return to the top
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