Which mountain is 5642 m high. The seven highest mountain peaks of the six continents of the earth
Elbrus is a large stratovolcano composed of layers of lava and volcanic ash. It has a conical shape with two peaks located at approximately the same height. The western peak of Elbrus rises 5642 meters above sea level, the eastern peak is slightly lower, at 5621 meters. The peaks are separated by a gentle saddle with a height of about 5300 meters above sea level and are located three kilometers from each other.
Elbrus is considered an extinct volcano, but the last eruption occurred not so long ago from a geological point of view - at the beginning of our era, approximately in the first or second century.
There are several versions about the origin of the mountain. According to one of them, "Elbrus" means "high mountain" or "sparkling mountain" in Iranian. Karachays and Balkars, who have lived in the Caucasus in the Elbrus region for a long time, call this volcano Mingi-tau, which translates as "eternal mountain".
Geographic location of Elbrus
The Caucasus Mountains are divided into two parts: the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. The Greater Caucasus Range passes on the border of Russia with other southern countries(Georgia, Azerbaijan) from the Black to the Caspian Sea. The territory of the Greater Caucasus on the Russian side is divided into several republics and regions: these are Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, North Ossetia. Elbrus is located on the border of the Kabardino-Balkarian and Karachay-Cherkess republics.
A few kilometers south of the foot of the volcano is the border between Russia and Georgia.
The mountain is located in the northern part of the ridge at a distance from the other peaks, so it is perfectly visible from all sides of Ciscaucasia - a two-headed cone is visible even a hundred kilometers away. Elbrus is between the central and western Caucasus. West Side mountain system passes from Elbrus to Black Sea coast, the central one lies between this peak and Kazbek.
The volcano is surrounded by several gorges - Adylsu, Adyrsu, Shkheldy, glacial massifs and mountains. The area at the foot of Elbrus and in the region of the upper reaches of the Baksan River, which is part of the Terek basin, is called the Elbrus region. This resort region and a protected area with unique natural beauties, sources of healing mineral water and excellent opportunities for skiing and hiking.
The borders between Europe and Asia are not exactly defined, and if we consider the Caucasus Range as the border, then Elbrus is the highest point in Europe. Otherwise, this title belongs to Mont Blanc in the Alps.
The mountain is a cone of an extinct volcano that erupted for the last time at the beginning of our era. The height of the western peak of Elbrus is 5642 meters, the eastern one is 5621 meters, the peaks are separated by a deep saddle (5325 meters). According to legend, it was here that the search for the Golden Fleece led the Argonauts, and here the titan Prometheus was chained in chains for daring to bring fire to people.
legendary mountain
The mountain, formed about a million years ago, consists of alternating layers of lava, ash and tuff. The slopes of Elbrus are mostly gentle, but starting from a height of 4000 meters, the average slope angle reaches 35 degrees, and the peaks are covered with a dense cap of perennial snow - firn and eternal ice. Several dozen glaciers with a total area of 134 square meters descend from them in all directions. km.
The most famous are Big and Small Azau, Irik, Terskol. In the powerful glaciers of Elbrus, the rivers Kyukyurtlyu, Ullu-Khurzuk, Ullu-Kam originate, which, merging, form the Kuban, the most big river in the North Caucasus. Kuban can be called the daughter of Elbrus.
The legendary mountain has always attracted people with its mysterious beauty. The northern and western slopes are strewn with steep rocky areas up to 700 meters high. The eastern and southern ones are more gentle and even. The sparkling glaciers of the southern side of the Elbrus region have been chosen by skiers and climbers since Soviet times. The longest routes of the mountain: Azau - Stary krugozor - 2.5 km, Stary krugozor - Mir - 2 km. The season in the Elbrus region lasts from December to March.
Up to a height of 4000 meters, the slopes of Elbrus are relatively gentle, but higher they become steep.
The Adyl-Su, Adyr-Su and Shkheldy gorges are especially popular with climbers from Russia and the former Soviet republics.
Conquest of Elbrus
The history of the conquest of Elbrus has almost 200 years. The first to determine its height in 1813 was the Russian academician Vikenty Vishnevsky.
And the first recorded ascent of Elbrus, the eastern peak, was made in 1829 under the leadership of the hero of the war with Napoleon and the conqueror of the Caucasus, General George Emmanuel. The auxiliary service of the expedition consisted of 650 soldiers and 350 Cossacks of the line, as well as local guides.
The expedition included a geophysicist and founder of the Main Physical Observatory in St. Petersburg, academician Adolf Kupfer, physicist Emily Lenz, founder of the Russian Entomological Society, zoologist Eduard Menetrier, botanist Karl Meyer, who later became director botanical garden Russian Academy of Sciences, artist-architect Joseph Bernardazzi and Hungarian scientist Janos Besse.
Kupfer, Lenz, Meyer, Menetrier, Bernardazzi, 20 Cossacks and guides participated directly in the ascent. However, the lack of experience and the poor quality of climbing equipment forced most of the participants to turn back.
According to some sources, the Karachai guide Kilar Khachirov was the first to climb the eastern peak at about 11 am, according to others, it was a Kabardian guide.
From the memoirs of Adolf Kupfer: “Only the next day - July 23 - at noon, the Hungarian traveler de Bess noticed through a telescope on the sparkling covers of Elbrus four people who were trying to reach the top of the mountain. Three of them soon disappeared from sight, the fourth rose higher and higher - and suddenly his figure was outlined in relief above the very crown of Elbrus. He was, as it turned out later, the Kabardian Kilyar, a native of Nalchik..
This event was marked by a gun salute in the camp.
By order of General Emmanuel, in memory of this outstanding event, a text was carved on the rock: “In the reign of the All-Russian Emperor Nicholas I, the commander of the troops on the Caucasian line, General of the Cavalry Georgy Emmanuel, camped here from July 20 to 23, 1829. With him were: his son Georgy, fourteen years old, academicians sent by the Russian Government: Kupfer, Lenz, Menetrie, Meyer, an official of the mining corps Vansovich, an architect Mineralnye Vody Joseph Bernardazzi and the Hungarian traveler Ivan de Bess. Academicians and Bernardazzi, leaving the camp, located eight thousand feet (1143 fathoms) above the sea surface, ascended Elbrus on the twenty-second to fifteen and a half thousand feet (2223 fathoms). Only the Kabardian Kilyar reached the top of it. Let this humble stone pass on to posterity the names of those who were the first to pave the way to reaching Elbrus, which until now was considered impregnable..
The data that Emmanuel's expedition conquered Elbrus were not known abroad, therefore, when the Englishman Douglas Freshfield climbed the mountain in 1868, this was regarded as the first ascent. The highest peak of Elbrus (western) was conquered by a team of climbers led by Florence Grove in 1874.
First geographic map Elbrus was compiled in 1890 by the Russian military topographer Andrei Pastukhov, who made the first ascent without guides. Rocks at an altitude of 4800 meters now bear his name.
It is believed that the first to reach both peaks was the Balkar hunter and shepherd Ahiya Sottaev. He climbed Elbrus nine times, the last one in 1909, when he was 121 years old.
In Soviet times, mountaineering took on a mass character. According to the Society for Proletarian Tourism, from 1829 to 1914 Elbrus was climbed 59 times, 47 of them by foreigners. And in 1935 alone, Soviet climbers climbed Elbrus 2016 times.
Elbrus was in the center of attention during the Great Patriotic War- it became the scene of fierce confrontation. Units of the German mountain division "Edelweiss" also took part in the battles. During the battle for the Caucasus on August 21, 1942, after occupying the mountain bases "Krugozor" and "Shelter of Eleven", the German Alpine shooters managed to install German banners on the western peak of Elbrus. But by the middle of the winter of 1942-1943, the German troops were driven off the slopes of Elbrus, and on February 13 and 17, 1943, our climbers climbed both peaks, where Soviet flags were hoisted.
Elbrus today
Today Elbrus is one of the most popular ski resorts. Russian resorts, Mecca for snowboarders, freeriders and climbers.
The Elbrus region is also interesting for nature lovers. One of the brightest representatives of the animal world of this region is the Caucasian tur, which lives at altitudes from 1200 to 3400 meters above sea level. Tours at night come to graze on alpine meadows, where bluegrass, foxtail, fescue, and buckwheat grow. IN winter time tours feed on mosses, lichens, tree bark. In the most inaccessible places, along with tours, there is a chamois. In the lowland part of the mountain forests, one can meet the roe deer, which belongs to the deer family. In the Elbrus region, an attempt was made to adapt a herd of Central Asian yaks, but the experiment failed. Wolves also live here, but you should not be afraid of them, there was no case of wolves attacking either skiers or climbers.
Although the Elbrus volcano has not reminded of itself for almost two thousand years, scientists consider it not extinct, but dormant. In its depths there are still hot masses that heat the local "hot narzans" - springs saturated with mineral salts and carbon dioxide, the temperature of which reaches +52 and +60 ºС. In the bowels of Elbrus, the life of many famous springs of the medical resorts of Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk and the entire region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters was born.
Elbrus is the most famous mountain in the world. It is an object of general attention, a dream for people who prefer extreme sports, and an object of admiration for tourists. Almost every traveler knows where Mount Elbrus is located, and therefore dreams of going to the distant and unexplored Caucasus.
For many, it is the Caucasus that is the territory that is worth visiting. After all, everyone knows that it is here that you can feel complete freedom from the hustle and bustle and fully enjoy, in truth, incredible landscapes. Since ancient times, it was considered to be the place on Earth that could be called "paradise". Nature has rewarded the area with an unusually beautiful relief and diversity. flora. The air here is clean and transparent, which is main feature this territory.
The Caucasus is mountain region Eurasia, which has a whole host of amazing places, but perhaps the most famous of them is Elbrus. This mountain has become calling card» area, since it is she who gathers many tourists near her. It is worth noting that the country is divided into two parts - Southern and Northern, conventionally they are called two half-worlds. Of course, the two parts are united by common traditions and culture, but the number of tourists is different.
What is the famous mountain?
The formation of this point began more than 218 thousand years ago. Since that ancient and forgotten time, lavas and tuff have erupted 15 times. It is impossible to say much or little, but it was they who gave mankind such an extraordinary gift.
Elbrus is a stratovolcano in the Caucasus, it is called the highest point in Russia. It is one of the Great Seven of the world's most famous peaks. Its location is unique, since it is located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Outwardly, it is a two-peak cone-shaped volcano that has not erupted for a very, very long time (the last eruption dates back to 50 AD).
Each nationality has its own name for a mountain-volcano, which, more and more often, in translation means “height”, “elevation”, “highest point”. Such definitions are not accidental, because they are based on the coordinates of the height above sea level. By the way, for the first time the exact height of the mountain was determined back in 1883. This was done by the famous academician and scientist V.K. Vishnevsky. He indicated and recorded data according to which Mount Elbrus has a height of 5421 m. These figures have become unchanged, because no transformations were observed in the volcano. Until that time, exact data simply did not exist.
It should be noted that the mountain remained an object of research for a long time, each new ascent gave new information, which was recorded in the necessary documentation. Today this place is interesting for various reasons, so let's find out where Mount Elbrus is located on the map of Russia and how to find it for an ordinary traveler?
Correct coordinates
Of course, this place is known to the locals, and you can easily find the treasured mountain. But, in order not to worry, it is better to find out about everything in detail before the trip. First you need to find general information about the place you are interested in, then analyze the territory and mark the data you need.
Many travelers have developed a search pattern that is based on data from cartographic sources. From them you will know that Elbrus is located in the Caucasus, exactly 130 kilometers west of the city of Nalchik, within the northern part of the Main Caucasian Range. To find where Elbrus is located on the map, you do not need special knowledge and skills, since there are the most detailed maps and public routes. It will not be difficult for you to find an object, it is much more difficult to conquer it, and therefore we will continue our preparations.
About modes of transportation
Depending on what you are going to move on, you need to choose the right entrance to the mountain. Since this place is specific and not close to civilization, there is no better means of transportation than a car. Further, the route will be on foot, as expected. leisure. There is another option - to travel by bus, but it is acceptable only for large excursion groups. If you are traveling with a small group of like-minded people, then a car would be more appropriate.
Where to start climbing?
Of course, everyone has their own rules and principles for recreation, but when it comes to Elbrus, the Azau village is considered the first point of departure. Experts recommend acclimatizing and spending some time here (1-2 days), and then hit the road.
Remember that it is best to get to the mountain in the summer, when there will be no obstacles on the way. The period from September to September is a unique time in every sense and it suits every tourist in the best way.
Regarding July and August, it must be said that this is the optimal period due to the fact that the weather is incredibly warm and stable, there is no dampness, rain or any noticeable temperature changes. But sometimes, there are surprises, and therefore you should be prepared for everything in advance, because the Caucasian weather is very often unpredictable, remember this. For this reason, when planning a route, one extra day is always laid. winter climb probably, but here the weather plays against you, as it can be very cold at this time of the year, down to -40 at the top.
Many come back here at other times of the year, after the first ascent, to appreciate the beauty in other contrasts. For others, coming here becomes a test, because low temperature air becomes a barrier. It is important to note that it is always beautiful here, only in its own way. Different time makes it possible to see unique features that will not be noticeable in another season. Also remember that there are always a lot of tourists here, and therefore you will not be alone.
Mountain coordinates:
43.3469353 north latitude
42.4528694 east longitude.
Unsolved Mystery
There is one main question, when Elbrus will wake up and whether this will happen in the future, scientists have not yet given an answer. This means that climbing it will be possible for a long time, so it's time to start your preparations for such an amazing point on our planet. After all, if the eruption takes place, then the danger will be incredible. First, there will be a release of ash, lava, and the possibility of an unprecedented flood from the melting of glaciers will increase.
Address: Russia, Caucasus
Height: 5642 m (western summit), 5621 m (eastern summit)
First ascent: July 22, 1829
Coordinates: 43°20"57.4"N 42°26"51.6"E
Mount Elbrus, amazing imagination, attracting climbers, lovers skiing and fans of outdoor activities, is actually a volcano.
Surprisingly, not everyone knows about this: for the majority, Elbrus is one of the seven wonders of Russia(according to the vote of 2008), picturesque slopes, on which you can ski down with a “breeze”, and the virgin, even somewhat “unearthly”, beauty of the Elbrus region.
Scientists call Elbrus a stratovolcano, this suggests that from time to time thick lava flows erupt from the conical vent, which, due to their viscosity, do not spread over long distances, but freeze not far from the place of their release. That is why Elbrus "grows" with each eruption and is currently considered the highest mountain peak in Europe. By the way, the volcano has two peaks: one of them (western) has a height of 5642 meters, and the second (eastern) - 5621 meters. The two peaks are separated from each other by a saddle having a height of 5200 meters and a length of 3 kilometers.
First summit climb
According to documents that have survived to this day, the first conquest of the eastern peak of Elbrus took place in 1829. The expedition was led by Georgy Arsenyevich Emmanuel, who, despite his Hungarian origin, led the Caucasian fortified line. In addition to numerous scientists included in the expedition by the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1000 servicemen and guides who knew the secret paths and the least dangerous slopes participated in the ascent to the summit.
Most likely, according to the assumption of modern historians, a person visited the peaks and gorges of Elbrus long before 1829. However, according to the documentation, it is considered to be the first climbing of Elbrus by the ascent of a scientific expedition led by Emmanuel.
Volcano name: origin story
Alas, at the moment it is not known for certain where the name Elbrus came from. Most scientists are inclined to believe that the name of the mountain comes from the Iranian word "Elburs", literally translated into Russian as "brilliant or sparkling." In Iran there is a mountain called Elburz, probably for this reason, many associate the origin of the name itself high point in Europe with the Iranian language. In fairness, it is worth noting that the rest of the scientists, who, although in the minority, argue that the name Elbrus may come from the Armenian or Georgian language. The answer to the question, where did the name of the volcano bewitching with its magnificence come from, most likely will not be found: you need to plunge too deeply into the history of mankind to solve this problem.
Battle for Elbrus
During the Great Patriotic War, fierce battles were fought for the peaks of Elbrus, in which the famous German division, bearing the name of the most beautiful mountain flower, "Edelweiss", participated.
The division was staffed exclusively by physically hardy people who lived in mountainous areas, who knew how to hit a target from the first shot. The mature age of some of the best soldiers of the Wehrmacht allowed them to fight in the mountains and survive in deserted areas, where it was almost impossible to get food, endure severe frosts and strong gusts of wind.
As is known from the history of the Second World War, the battle for the Caucasus began on July 25, 1942. Less than a month later, soldiers from the Edelweiss division occupied the Shelter of Eleven and Krugozor bases, and after a while they conquered the peaks of Elbrus, on which they hoisted flags with a swastika. It would seem that a feat was accomplished, but the ascent of German soldiers infuriated Hitler. “Crazy, insane people, stupid climbers! While the soldiers of the Wehrmacht are fighting a fierce struggle for every square kilometer of the Caucasus, they decided to "play". These climbers, who climbed Elbrus for the sake of their own vanity, must be handed over to the tribunal! ”Hitler shouted in a rage. “Why do we need this useless bare peak? They are not aware of what they are doing. Our flags should hang on the buildings of Sukhumi, and not fly where even birds cannot see them,” A. Speer recorded these words of Adolf Hitler in his diary.
Stalin apparently thought differently. After the last German units were expelled from the Caucasus at the end of winter, Soviet soldiers again conquered the peaks of Elbrus. Flags with a swastika were destroyed, and on the western and eastern peaks the banners of the USSR proudly glowed.
The volcano is only dormant
Elbrus, as mentioned above, is a Mecca for climbers, climbers and skiers. Tourism brings the lion's share of income to the local budget in Kabardino-Balkaria. Therefore, the authorities, according to some scientists, are silent about the danger that awaits not only tourists, but also local residents whose houses are located near the volcano. “Elbrus can wake up at any moment, the eruption will be the most powerful in its strength!”, - experts say, based on a number of studies they have conducted.
Of particular concern is Lev Denisov, who calls on the authorities to reconsider their policies and think about what they are investing a lot of money in. “A restless volcano can destroy the entire infrastructure of the region in a few hours and claim the lives of thousands of people,” Denisov said in his address. In addition to a possible eruption, the so-called “pulsating glaciers” are of particular danger. It was they who led in due time to the tragedy in the Karmadon Gorge.
Monument to the Heroes of the Defense of Elbrus
However, neither the authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria, nor high-ranking officials from the Russian Emergencies Ministry are willing to listen to the scientist's arguments so far. Opponents of Denisov say: "It may take several more centuries before the eruption, so far we have not observed any cause for concern." Naturally, in this context, the word “may” scares. After all, this does not exclude that Elbrus may “wake up” in the very near future. Who will be right, Lev Denisov with his group of researchers, or his opponents - only time will tell. Being in the Elbrus area, you should never forget about your own safety and strictly follow the instructions of the instructor. It is worth remembering that people are constantly dying and missing in the gorges and on the slopes of the mountain: everyone knows that in 2002, during the glacier descent in the Karmadon Gorge called "Kolka", the most popular actor and director Sergei Sergeevich Bodrov disappeared.
"I'm standing on top, I'm happy and dumb ..."
Thanks to government decree Russian Federation, with the active support of the authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria, the tourism infrastructure is developing in the Elbrus region by leaps and bounds. The most convenient tourist bases, hotels with "luxury" rooms, ultra-modern lifts, rentals of modern mountain and ski equipment- only a small part of what a tourist can count on when he comes to high peak Europe.
Conquer one of mountain peaks, which offers a truly stunning view, you can in one of the expeditions. They are constantly organized here by companies that have received a special license for this type of activity. Climbing Elbrus always takes place under the guidance of a professional climber who knows all the subtleties and nuances of conquering a mountain peak. Thanks to the training of these people, climbing Elbrus has become practically safe. However, before deciding to climb the most high mountain Europe should soberly assess its strength. For a person with poor health, such a journey can end tragically. Although, almost all expeditions are equipped with radio communication with special stations. In the event of any dangerous situation, a helicopter is raised from a special platform, on board of which there are experienced rescuers. Before the ascent, the leaders of the group once again try to determine the physical condition of each participant and, in case of any doubts about his endurance, they recommend postponing the conquest of the peak, but it is better to enjoy the beauties of the Elbrus region on this trip, which are quite difficult to describe in words.
Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain peak in the Russian Federation. Its height is 5642m. It is located on the territories of two republics: Karachay-Cherkess and Kabardino-Balkaria.
Elbrus is a layered volcano, dormant, has a conical shape and is composed of a large number of layers, hardened lava and ash. Last eruption on Elbrus was more than 1500 years ago. Modern scholars are debating whether the mountain is active volcano or extinct.
On the top and near the mountain there are glaciers, there are 23 of them. The most famous are: Irik, Big Azau. There are also glaciers on the mountain that form ice avalanches, Terskol, for example. When melting, the purest glacial water flows from Elbrus and feeds such rivers as the Kuban, Baksan, etc. Due to climate change, glaciers are gradually disappearing.
The weather near the mountain is very changeable and unstable. During the day, it can change several times, from sunny to rainy, a storm wind suddenly appears, and suddenly subsides to complete calm. Winters are severe and frosty, with heavy snows and blizzards. At the foot of the mountain, the average winter temperature is -10 0 С÷-25 0 С. At the top it is lower than -35 0 С.
Elbrus has attracted amateurs and athletes for a long time. The first ascent to the mountain was at the beginning of the 19th century. Climbers compete in skill and professionalism, conquering Elbrus, getting a master of sports and a world-class specialist. Numerous time climbing competitions are held, therefore, numerous devices are built on its slopes, cable cars and so on.
The area around Elbrus is very diverse. Here you can see: gorges, accumulations of large stones, glaciers, streams with melt water, waterfalls formed by these streams. At an altitude of more than 3000 m, glacial deposits and lakes of ice open up.
The flora of Elbrus is very diverse and has more than 3,000 varieties. Mint, sea buckthorn, coltsfoot, etc. grow here. Among the animals you can meet a mountain goat, a raccoon dog, a wild boar, a jackal, a roe deer, a lynx, a fox, a wolf, a squirrel and a bear. The sky was mastered by such birds as the eagle, vulture, kite, golden eagle, saker falcon, etc.
Option 2
Mount Elbrus is located in the Caucasus, in the past it was an active volcano, now it is listed as one of the largest extinct volcanoes. The last volcanic eruption was recorded about 2000 years ago.
Elbrus is also called "two-headed", because it has two peaks, which are completely covered with century-old glaciers. The area of the glacial part is 139 square kilometers. East End The mountain has a height of 5621 meters, the western one is 5642 meters. When glaciers melt, very powerful streams are formed, which flow down with rapid force, filling with their waters the most important rivers that are in that region: the Kuban, Baksan and Malka. Thanks to the melting of glaciers, the mountain feeds almost the entire part of the North Caucasus with water.
The study of Elbrus began in the 19th century by Russian explorers. The first expedition went to study in 1829. The slopes of the mountain are considered the highest in all of Russia, they are the favorite places for athletes. Many athletes dream of conquering the top of Elbrus. The middle of the mountain can be reached by cable car.
At an altitude of about 3,600 meters, there is a very unusual hotel, which is called Barrels. The houses of this hotel are completely reminiscent of barrels, only larger. The hotel was specially built at this height so that tourists can wait for time, because the human body needs a little getting used to the high-mountain climate, because on high altitude in the mountains, the percentage of oxygen in the air is very small than at the bottom.
At high altitude, a person needs to breathe more often, capturing deeper air. Further, when climbing up through 510 meters, the next hotel is located, called "Shelter of Eleven". It is called so because many years ago, eleven conquerors of the mountain made a halt there, they liked this place very much, that they soon built a small hut there, and over time, a wonderful hotel was built on this place, for the same as those conquerors of this wonderful mountains. In the "Shelter of Eleven" climbers gain strength to further conquer the height. After all, you can’t be unprepared in order to get to the very top, for this you need to train for a long time and very hard before the very first ascent, and always remember the technique of bladeless behavior on the mountain. All the difficulties that the traveler experiences when climbing Elbrus are fully justified.
2, 4, 8 grade
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