Mountain tourism in Georgia has been flourishing for many years. The majestic Caucasus Mountains beckon with their severe beauty and inaccessibility. Most tourists turn their gaze to the majestic Kazbek. The height of this mountain exceeds 5 kilometers. Its southern slopes are quite gentle, but still, a winter ascent of Kazbek from the south will require a lot of effort from the group. The upper part of the massif is covered with ice in winter. The slippery surface and rather steep cliffs are difficult to navigate, and the climate here is very harsh at this time of year. The thermometer sometimes drops to -50 degrees. And strong winds are quite common here. Therefore, if you decide to make a winter ascent of Kazbek from Georgia, you should clearly define all the risks associated with the ascent and soberly assess your capabilities. After all, such a trip requires serious physical training from the participants and, preferably, serious experience in mountaineering. But, despite all the difficulty of the route to the top, the winter climbing Kazbek will be one of your most significant victories. It will bring a lot of adrenaline and make your blood boil.
In addition, the program includes interesting excursions around the town of Kazbegi and the capital of Georgia β Tbilisi.
ΠΠ»Π°Π²Π½ΡΠ΅ Π²ΠΏΠ΅ΡΠ°ΡΠ»Π΅Π½ΠΈΡ ΠΎΡ ΠΏΠΎΡ ΠΎΠ΄Π° ΠΏΠΎ Π€Π°Π½ΡΠΊΠΈΠΌ Π³ΠΎΡΠ°ΠΌ:
Climbing route to Kazbek in winter:
Tbilisi β Stepantsminda village (Kazbegi) (1700 m) β Alti Hut shelter (3000 m) β Ortsveri mountain (4200 m) β Meteorological station shelter (3650 m) β Climbing Kazbek (5054 m) β Stepantsminda village (Kazbegi) β Tbilisi
Route of climbing Kazbek in winter by days
day
Group gathering in Tbilisi before 15:00 (meeting in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) village is possible). Meeting with the guide. Transfer to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) village, 1700 meters, overnight stay at the hotel. Preparation for the active part of the program. We rent the missing equipment. If you have an early arrival, we can provide you with a hostel/hotel reservation in Tbilisi.
day
Transfer by car to the Tsminda-Sameba Monastery. Trekking for about 3 hours to the Saberce Pass and further descent to the comfortable Alti Hut. Alti Hut was designed and built by a Swiss company in 2019. The hut is very comfortable, warm and has internet. Accommodation in one of the shelter’s rooms (room for 4-8 people).
day
Today after breakfast we will go to the upper part of the Gergeti glacier, altitude 3600 m. We will conduct snow and ice training and training in organizing rescue operations and climbing out of a crevasse in a small group. Back to the Alti Hut shelter.
day
Today, at the discretion of the guide and depending on the group’s preparation and weather conditions, ascent to the Ortsveri peak along the 3A category route, 4200 or the Ortsveri pass 4000 m.
day
Today is not a very early rise, we get enough sleep. The transition to the shelter Meteorological station. Preparing for the ascent. Overnight at the Meteostantsiya shelter. This shelter is not as comfortable as Alti Hut, but we will stay here for only two nights, and ideally one.
day
Climbing Kazbek (5054 m), along the classic route to the eastern summit. Departure no later than 3:00. The ascent goes first along the moraine and then goes to the glacier and then through the Kazbek Pass, 4500 m. The trail leads to the plateau and the northern slope of the western summit. Exit to the saddle between the eastern and western summits. The upper part of the slope may be icy and you may need a railing belay. Enjoying the beautiful view from the top. Descending along the ascent route. Returning back to the Meteorological Station. Spending the night in a shelter.
day
Today we will spend the whole day descending to the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). If possible, transfer to Tbilisi on the same day, where you can plan a trip to the Tiflis sulfur baths that same evening.
day
We reserve this day for unforeseen situations. If everything goes smoothly, then it can be used for rest and walks around Tbilisi. We visit the sights. Here you can taste the most famous Georgian wines.
day
End of the event, farewell, flight home.
Kilometers: 35-40 km.
Note:
β The program is not final and can be adjusted depending on the weather, the condition of the participants and other factors.
β In winter, the weather on Kazbek is very changeable, so the success of the ascent depends to a significant extent on the weather.
Climbing map of Kazbek, Georgia:
Why is it profitable to go hiking with Extremeguide?
Cost and conditions for climbing Kazbek in winter
Is this trip right for you?
The program is recommended for those who have experience of previous ascents in the Mont Blanc or Kazbek mountains and other peaks above 4000 m, it is also good to have experience of winter hiking.
Included in the price:
- Transfer Tbilisi β Stepantsminda β Tbilisi;
- guide work (1 guide per 3 people);
- rental of group special equipment (ropes, ice screws, public carabiners);
- group first aid kit from the guide;
- gas for cooking;
- rental of tents and gas equipment;
- accommodation in the hotel Stepantsminda/Tbilisi (up to 2 nights);
- accommodation in the Alti Hut shelter (up to 3 nights);
- accommodation in the shelter “Meteostation” (2 nights);
- registration in the rescue service, radio.
The price does not include:
- flight to Georgia (from 200 EUR);
- meals during the active part of the program: lunch and dinner at Alti Hut cost about 30 EUR (approximately 60-80 EUR for all days, for the Meteorological Station you can buy products in the supermarket in the village of Stepantsminda);
- food in towns and cities;
- rental of personal special equipment (ice axe, helmet, system, crampons, carabiners) – 70 EUR for the entire program;
- accident insurance for alpinism (“Extreme Guide” can advise on obtaining insurance) – 3-10 EUR/day;
- tips for the guide (optional);
- other expenses not specified in the program.
Cost depending on the number of participants
| Number of participants | Cost per 1 participant |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1800 EUR |
| 2 | 2500 EUR |
| 1 | 4400 EUR |
Best price guarantee!
- We have included in the price all possible basic expenses for the program and guarantee that there are no hidden additional costs, while we have retained the best service at a low price:Β transfers, hotelΒ accommodation,Β guides and staff!
We have a flexible discount system
Find out the details right now:
Necessary equipment
Basics:
- Backpack 80-120 l. (please note that in addition to personal items, food and public equipment must fit there); (More about choosing a backpack);
- Sleeping bag (Depending on the specific hike, the temperature at night can drop to -25. If the sleeping bag is down, then a bivouac (camp) bag is needed for it) (More about choosing a sleeping bag);
- Pad (thick and warmΒ pad)Β (More about choosing a pad)
Shoes and clothing:
- Double boots (if the outer boot is plastic, and not warm, like in La Sportiva Spantic, then have additional warm balilas on the boot. It is important that the shoes are comfortable and worn in. Usually, shoes are chosen with a thick toe and 1.5-2 sizes larger than the foot size);
- Change of shoes (sneakers, sandals or flip flops);
- Gaiters (shoe covers, flashlights) for boots;
- Down jacket;
- Insulated pants (ski, down, or warm polar pants for trecking) (More about choosing clothes and boots);
- Warm hat;
- Balaclava;
- Walking trousers (preferably membrane);
- Walking jacket (preferably membrane);
- Rain cape (if your clothing gets wet);
- Thermal underwear set (if you donβt have thermal underwear, long johns and a jacket);
- Warm jacket 2 pcs. (polar, fleece);
- Socks 2 pairs (“thermal socks” or other thick ones);
- Socks for overnight stays (wool, fleece or down);
- Warm mittens (down or similar);
- Warm gloves (under mittens, for example fleece);
- T-shirt;
- Changing underwear;
- Sun hat.
Additionally:
- Backpack cover (or large plastic bags for packing things);
- Mug, spoon, bowl, knife;
- Headlamp + set of batteries;
- Hygiene supplies (a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap and a little shampoo will be enough; you should not take full bottles of shower gel and shampoo, heaps of creams and lotions);
- Documents;
- Individual first aid kit (bactericidal plaster, cold, stomach, head, painkiller, sterile bandage and cotton wool, lidocaine. Also, specific and chronic diseases should be taken into account if any. In addition to the individual first aid kit, there will be a general one);
- Ski mask (possibly glasses);
- Spare glasses;
- Hygienic lipbalm;
- Sunscreen ointment;
- Water container (1-2 l);
- Thermos (0.5 β 1.0 l);
- Matches (3 packs, hermetically sealed);
- Trekking poles (or ski poles);
- Watch.
Special equipment:
- Safety harness;
- Anchoring ropes (1 pc);
- Descender;
- Carabiners 4 pcs.;
- Ice screws 2 pcs. (preferably not titanium);
- Climbing helmet;
- Classic ice ax;
- CramponsΒ (that match your boots);
- Jumar;
- Loop for hanging a backpack.
Group equipment:
- High-altitude tents;
- Ropes;
- Boilers;
- Burner.
Review and equipment list for Kazbek
If you do not have or are missing any equipment, you can rent it from us.
The availability of group equipment and its quantity is agreed upon separately with the assembled group.
Equipment rental from ExtremeGuide.
- Down socks;
- Spare gloves or mittens (for example, ski gloves);
- Camera;
- Bottom pad;
- Garbage bags (convenient for packing things).
Additional information
Physical training and mental preparation will help to optimally adapt to the altitude. It is advisable to have experience of previous mountain hikes, for example, the Caucasus, Carpathians.
The program takes place on the territory of Georgia; residents of the former CIS countries do not need a visa; insurance against accidents and medical coverage are mandatory for the entire period of the program for climbers (We will advise you on obtaining insurance.).
There are many exchange offices in the country. It is best to take euros and dollars on your trip.
The best way to watch flights is www.skyscanner.com, tickets.ua/, good site with descriptions of how to get there from any point. It is most convenient to fly to Tbilisi.
Meeting place – Avlabari metro station, Tbilisi before 15:00.
Transport – chartered minibus or fixed-route taxi.
Moving on a closed/open glacier in crampons and ropes, moving on steep rocks, spending the night in tents at subzero temperatures, walking on deep snow in snowshoes, an autonomous track with a backpack up to 25-30 kg (it is within your power to select equipment that will take up less weight, extra things can be left in Stepantsminda). During the climbing period, early rises at 1:00 and long and intense walking days up to 14-16 hours (climbing). Actively assist the guide at bivouacs (camps).
Throughout the entire route, overnight stays are in tents.
During the period of residence in populated areas, meals are self-sufficient. During the autonomous ascent program, meals are for the hikers: breakfast porridge: buckwheat, oatmeal, rice + dessert, lunch – sandwiches with tea, dinner – soup, tea + dessert, cheese, sausage, lard are a must!!! The guide cooks, the participants actively help.
At the exits the first aid kit is with the guide. You must have your own first aid kit.
Up to 0 C in the valleys, up to -40ΒΊC in the highlands
This program is potentially dangerous to the health and life of any of the participants.
Guides provide the necessary safety provided that the participants comply with safety regulations.
The decision to stop the ascent in conditions that threaten the safety of the participants is the exclusive responsibility of the guide and is not subject to discussion.
Before the start of the tour, you make a prepayment of 30%, the rest either before the start of the tour or directly to the guide on the spot. More details:
List of diseases, in case of insufficient physical, technical, moral and psychological preparation for the safety of you and other participants, the guide has the right to refuse the final ascent, without compensation for the cost of the tour and other expenses.
Cross-country running at least 8-10 km, 2-3 times a week, general physical training, see more details:
Features of acclimatization in high mountains
Physical and mental preparation before climbing and hiking in the mountains
The table shows the basic cost for a group and may change depending on the number of people in the group. For the calculation of the cost of the tour for a smaller number of people and individual groups, see the Β«PriceΒ» block for more details.
We guarantee that on the dates indicated in the table, even if there is a minimum number of people allowed in the group, the tour will take place 100% with a minimum change in cost.
Pleasant bonuses, which everyone receives when ordering a tour with us
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