Gazprom on top again

Photo
Picturesque forest on the way descending from the monastery to the town of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). Surprise: lots of good mushrooms!
Panorama of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Alpine flowers are very beautiful
Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) monastery is like a guard above the entry to the Daryal Pass. Built in the 16th century, it is located as high as 2,170 meters. Alexander Pushkin visited this monastery and dedicated the following piece of poetry to it: “Kazbek, you are high above the family of mountains; your stately tent is shining with its perpetual snows. Your monastery is above the clouds like a flying ark hovering above the mountains and not quite seen.”
Mountain scene: view of the Daryal Pass and the town of Stepantsminda from the mountain path
You can hire a ‘van’ to carry your gear across the slopes and glaciers. If only the climbers knew this in advance, their task would be much easier
Part of the route across the 9-kilometer glacier Gergeti covered with rock dust, smaller and bigger cracks and streamlets due to ice melting under the sun
One of the glacier cracks – rantcluft is not an especially big one, but is pretty dangerous
Do not stumble!
Hostess of the weather station
Evgeny Pashuk is the only ‘Snow Leopard’ in Dagestan – the climber having ascended practically all seven thousanders of the former Soviet Union
The base camp in the morning sun
Three friends discussing the best route for acclimatization. Shamil Khalilov, Evgeny Pashuk, Eduard Bagduyev
Stop to put on the crampons – hard firn is to be expected on the steep slopes in the morning. Shamil Khalilov (second on the left), Eduard Bagduyev (center), Evgeny Pashuk (right)
Chaukhi mountain group can be observed in the clouds opening. It seems to be so close, but in reality it’s far away – on the other side of the Daryal Pass
The solar generator feeds the weather sensors. Today it is the only equipment serving its intended use
Kazbek mountain. View from the base camp
Acclimatization in the midst of fog. There is no time waiting for better weather and visibility
The finishing point of the acclimatization
To the top, towards the rising sun...
The very last meters before coming to the ‘saddle’. The slope is practically vertical
On the top. Evgeny Pashuk, Shamil Khalilov, Eduard Bagduyev

Other photo albums

Photo
Ceremony held for launch of new gas supply and gas infrastructure expansion facilities to serve consumers in 25 Russian regions
Ceremony held for launch of new gas supply and gas infrastructure expansion facilities to serve consumers in 25 Russian regions
 — 10 photos
Photo
Gazprom’s construction specialists prove to be best in Russia
Gazprom’s construction specialists prove to be best in Russia
 — 9 photos
Photo
Employees of Gazprom Transgaz Stavropol congratulate children on Knowledge Day
Employees of Gazprom Transgaz Stavropol congratulate children on Knowledge Day
 — 6 photos
Photo
Five Sakhalin subsidiaries of Gazprom hold learning business simulation game at Okean National Children’s Center
Five Sakhalin subsidiaries of Gazprom hold learning business simulation game at Okean National Children’s Center
 — 10 photos
Photo
OstroVa national youth forum takes place with support from Gazprom Dobycha Shelf Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
OstroVa national youth forum takes place with support from Gazprom Dobycha Shelf Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
 — 8 photos
Photo
Children’s charity event held by employees of Gazprom Transgaz Stavropol
Children’s charity event held by employees of Gazprom Transgaz Stavropol
 — 12 photos
Picturesque forest on the way descending from the monastery to the town of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). Surprise: lots of good mushrooms!