Exploring the Caucasus Mountains

Klättermusen Story

Exploring the Caucasus Mountains

The Expedition

Ski Mountaineering in Georgia

From Mestia town to 3,400 meters above sea level. Three mountains in seven days may seem extreme to some, but is in fact doable - with the right equipment and, most importantly, the right expertise.

Mestia is a town located in northwestern Georgia, at an elevation of 1,500 meters in the Caucasus Mountains. This is where six mountaineering experts started their week-long expedition, in January 2020.

The Participants

The participants of the Klättermusen 2019 Georgia Expedition are all certified mountain guides by IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) or GMGA (Georgian Mountain Guide Association).

The group spent seven days in the Svaneti Region climbing several summits with skis.

The Preparations

The expedition preparations began weeks in advance. Unpredictable weather and changes in the conditions are common, and everything needs to be considered and thought of.

Before heading towards the mountains, the gear was strapped to the roof of the car. The backpacks were filled with layers to put on, and skis were prepared for the rough terrain.

The temperature dropped to -25°C some days. A warm down jacket and a wind stopper was crucial.

Ilia Berulava

The Caucasus Mountains

The Caucasus Mountains stretch from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea and is the home of some of Europe’s highest peaks.

The Svaneti Region is home to, among many, the peaks of Mt. Ushba (4,710 meters), Mt. Tetnuldi (4,974 meters) and Mt. Shkhara (5,193 meters).

Because of sharp rocks and rough terrain, it wasn’t possible to reach the summit of all three mountains. But to climb and ski on all three peaks in a week was still an ambitious mission, especially considering the hard winds and low temperatures higher up in the mountains.

The Right Equipment

For an expedition like this, the right equipment is key. Climbing Alpine style requires light and well-ventilated garments and hardware, while descending on skis is best done well-insulated.

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