#natureknowledge

Georgia’s largest mountain is a stunning duel among men- split between Georgian Russian. While it is split between its people, the true structure of this scape far exceeds limitations. Naturally it is a massive whole reaching 16,627 feet or 5,068 meters…it’s Mount Shkhara. To put Shkhara into perspective, it would be the fourth highest mountain in Europe- all being in Russia: Mount Elbrus at 18,513 feet, 5,643 meters, Mount Dychtau reaching just over 17,000 feet and just over 5,200 meters, and Mount Koshtan at 16,900 feet, 5151 meters. What makes Shkhara really stand out from the bunch is it’s significantly differing heights between maps and its collection of the densest collection of high peaks and largest glacial system in the Caucasus.

One of these exceptional arrangements is located the Ullu-Shiran-Bezengi, on the Russian side. While Elbrus may be the highest mountain in Europe, the Bezengi region is the ultimate goal for hikers of the Caucasus, being that the section takes its name from the intense Bezengi Wall marking the East and West ends of nearby Shkhara. This colossal mountain barricade elevates 2000 meters above the glacier for 12km without any significant depressions. Going all the way back to 1888, Almer, Cockin and Roth, were great mountaineers first to make the climb up this mountain via the NE Ridge in Russia, the most commonly used ascent and descent route still to this day along the all-embracing and tremendous Bezigni Wall. If you’re looking to get a view from the top, June to September offers the ideal climbing season. After early September, these ranges become far too frosty for the feet of man.

As for the Georgian Side, Shkhara begins in Ushguli, the highest village in Europe at 2200 meters- a short jumping off point from Shkhara located in the remote Upper Svaneti. The most common way to reach Ushguli is via Zugdidi and Mestia, which journeys following the Inguri river- a moment worth stopping for. This river arises from a number of springs and glaciers in the Glavnyi Range of the Greater Caucasus and flows into the Black Sea and is primarily fed by these glaciers, plus rainwater.

The infinite flows of the Inguri River amongst the ever-still mountain ranges balance effortlessly. Ushguli’s upper villages twist and turn with Shkhara imminent in the background; the route to Shkhara from Ushguli leaps across rolling meadows, revealing glacial mountains tops breaking through the Earth, touching the heavens. The Central Caucasus shine bright from Nalchik in Russia and the North East Ridge, only first climbed at the end of the 19th century by the same men who separate its land today, stands dormant in eternity gleaming of the Sun’s light. No matter from which side you look at it, the luminous Mount Shkhara and all the icy wonders it encompasses is an astounding and aesthetic mountain-scape. ‪CK

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/nf2o8ub