Winter ascent to Kazbek from the South, from Georgia

Stepantsminda (Tbilisi) - Holy Trinity Monastery Sameba (2170m) - Saberce Pass (2930 meters) - Saberce Green Glade (2850 m) - Weather Station (3600 m) - Kazbek (5033.8 m) - Weather Station (3600 m) - Stepantsminda (Tbilisi)

As an additional option - Gudauri ski resort !!!

The cost of a package of services - from 900 US dollars *

* the cost depends on the number of participants, living conditions ......

Included:

• accommodation in a guest house (3 nights). Hotel (for a fee)
• accommodation at the weather station (3 nights)
• 3 meals a day on the route (we purchase and prepare food together)
• group equipment
• work of an instructor (Guide)
• branded t-shirt and buff

What is included in group public equipment
Basic ropes, snow shovel, communications equipment, gas cylinders or gasoline, burners, first aid kit, cooking utensils, etc.

Not included:

• transfer from / to Tbilisi (Kutaisi)
• transfer to / from the Temple of the Holy Trinity
• transfer of things on horseback
• additional excursions
• food in cities
• tents (negotiated in advance)

Brief information on the area
The village of Stepantsminda (from Georgian - St. Stepan, earlier from 1921 to 2007 had the name - Kazbegi. The village is located at an altitude of 1744 m, in the eastern part of the Central Caucasus, at the foot of Mount Kazbek.

Mount Kazbek (Georgian: Mkinvartsveri (or Mkinvari), translated from Georgian ice peak (peak) - an extinct stratovolcano, the easternmost five-thousanders of the Caucasus, 5033.8 m high. It is located in the eastern part of the Central Caucasus, on the border of Russia and Georgia.

The first ascent to the peak of Kazbek was made in 1868 by the English 23-year-old D. Freshfield, Tukker and Moore (from the southeast slope).
It is currently a very popular mountain among climbers and tourists from all over the world.
Climbing routes from 2A to 3B of complexity category, from Russia and Georgia.

During the ascent to Kazbek from the village of Stepantsminda, you will visit: Church of the Holy Trinity (Tsminda Sameba). The temple is at an altitude (2170 m). This is a cross-domed church built in the 14th century in Georgia. The only temple of this type in the Kazbeg district.
Next is the Saberce Pass (Arsha) (2930 meters), the language of the Gergeti Glacier, a weather station (3600 m) and approximately at an altitude (3800 m) on an 80-meter rock wall in the cave is the ancient Betlemi Monastery (Bethlehem).

Requirements for Participants
•The route is designed for good physical shape
• Group size from 3 to 12 people
• If there is a lot of snow, you must have snow boots or ski touring equipment!!!
• Children are not allowed on the route
• Insurance

Additional information

• The receiving party has the right to change the route schedule according to weather conditions and the condition of the group
• Tourists prepare meals on the route on their own on gas burners - primus stoves under the guidance of an instructor
• The price does not include: additional excursions, transfers outside the program, environmental fees, etc.
• It is possible to provide additional services by prior arrangement: transfer: airport - hotel; rental of personal equipment; hotel reservation; recreation on the Black Sea; accommodation in Tbilisi, tours of Tbilisi, Mtskheta, etc.

How to get to the beginning of the route?

• By plane to Tbilisi. Then take a minibus (bus) to Stepantsminda village or transport them to Vladikavkaz through the Verkhny Lars checkpoint.
• The settlement of a guest house or hotel.
• For a fee, transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Stepantsminda and back

ATTENTION!!!!

• All recommendations and wishes of the Guide are taken into account.
• If one of the participants became ill on the day of climbing, the participant was injured, etc. Guide (one Guide in the group), for SECURITY purposes, returns the entire group down. A second attempt is made the next day.
• If there are 2 Guides in the group, the second Guide provides a SAFE descent for the participants, and the first continues to climb

Attention! Read our publication about Kazbek and its environs - Read

Take with you:
It is necessary to prepare very thoroughly for the winter ascent to Kazbek. You should not relate to the selection of equipment through the sleeves, even if you plan to climb the simplest route - from the south. Below is a basic list of equipment for climbing Kazbek in the summer:

• a backpack of 80-120 liters for carrying personal equipment on the approaches to the base camp. If you take a smaller backpack, you will have to carry some of the equipment in your hands, which is not permissible for safety reasons;
• for your comfort, an additional 30-40 liter assault backpack is recommended for climbing to the top;
• sleeping bag (comfort - 10 -20C) - the temperature in the base camp can drop at night to -20C;
• the main warm puff with a hood and additionally thin for the base camp and climbing;
• thermal underwear designed for low temperatures and average activity (for the base camp and climbing), some tourists climb to the top in two sets of thermal underwear;
• waterproof windproof jacket and trousers. Attention! When buying a windproof kit, check with the seller - does the material withstand negative temperatures;
• a protective mask from wind and frost (balaclava, warm buff) - there is rarely calm on climbing, the mask will save your face from weathering and burns;
• tracksuit - running gear on the approaches and during climbing;
• winter mountain boots for climbing. If you have summer shoes - you need to have warm shoe covers and extra warm socks. Boots should be adapted for mounting climbing cats. Shoes are bought 1-1.5 sizes larger than you wear in the city;
• sneakers or trekking boots for movement on the road;
• light flip flops for base camp (must be worn on warm socks);
• mittens warm to - 25C, warm gloves - fleece;
• climbing mittens for climbing;
• warm and ski hats for camping and climbing;
• cap or panama from the sun on the approaches and on the ascent in the afternoon;
• climbing crampons, the design of cats must match the type of mountain boot;
• ice ax; ice drill;
• climbing helmet;
• climbing safety system (top and bottom);
• carbines with couplings - 3 pieces;
• trekking poles, snowshoes;
• polyurethane foam or an inflatable rug, choosing a rug remember - overnight stays on the glacier are possible;
• "Seat";
• rain cover on itself;
• rain cover on a backpack;
• shoe covers on your feet - attention! Shoe covers are special “socks” that are worn on the legs and create additional comfort (warmth) for the leg when climbing;
• lanterns on the legs - protective leggings made of fabric, worn on the shin of the foot on the approaches;
• sunglasses with non-breakable glasses to protect the eyes from wind, snow, solar radiation. Often, two pairs of glasses or two ski masks with white (for the night) and black (for the day) glasses are taken for climbing;
• UV tanning cream at least 30, and preferably a full block;
• fat hygienic lipstick with a UV factor of at least 30;
• headlamp (spare batteries - 2 sets);
• mug, spoon, bowl, knife (KLMN) - the optimal use of thermo dishes, since in high altitude conditions (low temperatures) the products quickly cool;
• thermos for climbing, with a volume of at least 1 liter;
• a flask for water, with a volume of at least 1 liter - when climbing, an increased amount of moisture is required;
• an individual first-aid kit where you put in addition to the medicines that you usually use and an additional 2 sterile bandages, 1 sterile cotton, 1 plate of citramone, a tape of a band-aid - an ordinary, non-bactericidal, 1 plate of mezim;
• personal hygiene products: toilet paper, wet wipes (if necessary), personal hygiene products for women (mandatory for women!), a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairbrush.
• 120 liter garbage bags - 4 pieces for sealing things on approaches and storing the throw.