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CONTENTS:
1. Geographical
overview.
2. Trekking
and mountaineering.
3. Getting there & away.
4. Historical monuments.
Western Caucasus in the geographical literature is a part of Bolshoy Caucasus
to the West of Elbrus. As trek literature says Western Caucasus is only
a sub-region (till the Fisht mountain) with highland icy place of Great
Caucasus range; the territory to the West belongs to North-Western Caucasus.
Administratively this is a region of Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya
autonomous region of Stavropolsky land, Krasnodarsky land, Abhaziya
republic.
The pivot of Western Caucasus mountain mass is the Great
Caucasus Range. The range massifs in a number of northern spurs
of Great Caucasus Range, about 20 km from it, is called Peredovoy (Advanced)
ridge. To the North parallel of Great Caucasus Range is Skalisty (Rocky)
ridge. There are Kodorsky, Abhazsky (Chhaltsky), Bzbsky, Gagrsky ridges.
Mainly Western Caucasus is a wooded everage mountainous massif.
The line of Glavny Range (Great Caucasus Range) reaches the forest border (
2000-2200 m over sea) in the middle of the district, near the Chugush mountain
increase over 3000 m, and the highest peak is in the eastern part ( Dombay-Elgen
mountain – 4046 m).
The typical peculiarity of Western Caucasus is a combination
of dense forests along valleys and mountain slopes with sharp altitude peaks
and fortress covered by snow. There are a plenty of transparent blue and green
lakes surrounded by flowering alpine grasslands, gloomy rocks and falls. Among
them are the famous lake Rizza, highland lakes Kluhorskoe, Kardivach,
Mira.
There are various forms of karst such as deep precipices,
underground rivers, caves, craters, gullies in the limestone massifs (Kodorsky,
Bzibsky, Gagrsky, Skalisty ridges). There are lots of underground water outs
as well: Gegsky waterfall, Mchisht, the Blue lake, Aapsta on the southern slope.
The rivers of the northern slope of Great Caucasus
Range concern to Kuban basin which begins from Elbrus glacier and in its upper
stream takes the name of Uluukam. The greatest of them are Uzunkol, Uchkulan,
Daut, Teberda, Aksaut, Maruha, Zelenchuk, Bolshaya Laba, Malaya Laba.
The main rivers of southern slope are Nenskra, Kodor, Chhalta, Bzib, Mzimta.
The water in rivers is transparent and has blue and green shadows.
Western Caucasus differs from all parts of our country
by the biggest natural contrasts – from alpine highlands glaciers to sub-tropics.
The climate feature – high humidity.
Western Caucasus is the oldest and well-mastered region of mountaineering. Here
are routs for beginners-travelers and for the sport groups. The most simple
paths are in quite low western part beginning from Arhis where there are many
passes of 1A and 1B complication categories (mainly fall and snow) both through
Great Caucasus Range, and through its spurs. This region is more suitable for
non -category treks of 1-2 complication category.
The eastern part of Great Caucasus Range with its spurs (Gvandra
district) is characterised by 1B-2A complication categories passes of
different types (snowy, icy, rocky). There are wide possibilities for treks
approaches of average (till the 3rd category) difficulty.
Glavny Range in the district of Aksauta-Dombay is difficult.
Most passes are of 2A – 3A complication categories here. The passes northern
side is often snowy-icy, southern – rocky. The southern slope is a steep slope.
Crossings of Great Caucasus Range can make the main elements the 4-5 complication
category treks.
The approaches are short. Almost all gorges have auto roads, it has bus connection to some stations (from Miniralny Vody (Mineral Water), Cherkessk, Karachaevsk, Zelenchuksky, Suhumy, Gudauty, Adler). There are paths in the upper of valleys and on the pasture along passes.
There are lots of historical monuments presenting an interest for visitors: stations of the stone age; there are a great number of steps of ancient pastures – rests of koshs (a summer station-square for cattle, consisting of an enclosure and a house), enclosures, paths on the lawns; along ancient trade paths – chains of ruins of middle centuries fortresses and temples mainly of Alansky time and Apsiliya flourishing period, another number of places are connected with the Caucasus War (19th century) events. Many distinguished arts persons were also here. Glavny Range passes keep evidences about the Great Patriotic War battles.
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