Have you already decided to conquer the peak? Now you must decide which season is the best for it and what is necessary to climb the mountain successfully. Unlike some more difficult mountains, you don’t need any special skills or experience to climb Mount Kazbek ( Kazbegi or Mkinvartsveri) . If you are a beginner and you are fit or you like walking in the mountains, then with the help of a professional guide you will succeed. So how to getting ready for the expedition to Mt. Kazbek?
What is fitness?
It means that you must be able to move 6-8 hours a day with your backpack for 5 days. On the day of ascend you will need to walk 12-14 hours, though in your backpack you must have only equipment and water.
What should I do for fitness for climbing mount Kazbek via clasical route?
We advise running 3-4 times a week as far as you can, ride a bike and walk a lot. You must inform the guide if you have any chronic diseases such as asthma or cardio disease. It will mean you won’t be able to climb the mountain. Acclimatization is important to climb the mountain. For this one day and night is enough, but sometimes when the members move up 4700m or higher, they get a headache, though after some time it usually passes. Sometimes members take some pills for acclimatization which can also help. The best way for acclimatization is a one day walk and being active when you are in the base camp.
How many days does the expedition last on mount Kazbek?
Usually to go up Mt. Kazbek takes 5 days (going from Stepantsminda . Kazbegi . and coming back to Stepantsminda . Kazbegi .):
1 Day- going from the village to the base camp.
2 Day- acclimatization and training day.
3 Day- the day of the peak
4 Day – an extra day in case of bad weather.
5 Day- the day of descend.
What will the weather be like during the expedition on Mt Kazbek?
It’s impossible to predict the weather, because in spite of the forecast given by the weather bureau when you climb the mountain the situation is a little different. So, for the beginners we can choose summer season, because it’s not so cold then. We plan our tours for the whole year and you can join the planned expeditions or you can choose date and time. Expeditions start by going from Tbilisi to Kazbegi Region in Stephantsminda. Kazbegi . After 3-hour journey when you pass Gudauri and Jvari Pass, we arrive in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) .
From Stepantsminda our tour starts. Before going out we always check the equipment of our group members or rent some if needed. Before the beginning the guide gives information about the details of the tour.
Start walking
After staying the night in Stepantsminda we move to Sameba (Trinity) monastery and then to the base camp, setting off at 7am. You will see the oldest and the most beautiful Sameba Monastery, which is at 2300m above sea level. The monastery is 30 minutes’ walk from Stepantsminda and from there we travel to the base camp.
The base camp is 3700m above sea level and takes 6-7 hours to get there. We set off slowly with some breaks. The longest break will be after approximately 3 – 5 hours, when we move from the track to the peak – the half hour lunch break.
After lunch we walk to Sabertse. Sometimes groups get tired or want a more gentle tour and so choose to stay the night at Sabertse. This adds an extra day to the tour.
From Sabertse Camp to Base Camp
Generally, we move on from Sabertse (3000m) and after 1-1.5 hours walk we come to the ice-stream. After that we move up the 30- degree rise, which, after a few hundred metres becomes less steep.
On the glacier crampons and rope are not usually necessary, however, when it’s wet weather or the ice is slippery we use crampons. At this section of the mountain a rope is not needed because the path bypasses the crevices. Sabertse to base camp typically takes 2 hours. At the end of the ice-stream we rest before the last rise, which is 35 degrees steep and not pleasant. After 20-30 minutes we enter the base camp.
Kazbek Base camp
The Camp is a building is called “Bethlehem Hut”( Soviet name is Meteostation). It is a former meteorological station building which was built in the 1930s and was used as the meteorological station during the Soviet period.
Today it is privately owned and is the shelter for mountaineers and guests. In the camp it’s possible to stay inside the building as well as in a tent. Near the meteorological station there are always about a hundred tents. Cafe “Mkinvartsveri” is on the first floor. It has been there since 2019. Here you can have tasty, high quality meals and also alcoholic as well as nonalcoholic drinks. The staff of the cafe are always friendly and hospitable.
The temperature in the base camp is typically from +3°C to +10°C during July and August, though the temperature can go down to -8°C degrees. We usually get to the base camp around 3-4pm and after the guests settle, they can have a rest, enjoy beautiful views and take pictures. In the evening after dinner the guides hold a briefing, when they inform you about the plans for the next day. Also the guides will assess physical fitness and readiness for the great tour.
