 | The steep east face of Kazbek (photo by S. Gutiev) <click to enlarge> |
Kazbek
(Kasbek)
16558 ft (5047 m) Highest point in Georgia . |
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| 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. | |||
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More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ... |
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| Topographic map of Kazbek (1:250,000 scale) from DMA Map NK 38-5 Gora Kazbek <click to enlarge> |
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