Historically, that the geography of Russia spans both Europe and Asia.And if the western part of the country over the plain, the Urals, on the contrary, has some of the largest mountain ranges.
highest mountains of Russia - the Caucasus.Researchers and geography of different rank them either to the European part of the world, or belong to Asia.The highest peak of Alps - Mont Blanc (4810 meters) - is considerably inferior to his Russian "competitor".Caucasian giant surpasses it in many ways.
highest peaks
highest point of Russia - a mountain called Mount Elbrus, located on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the coordinates 43 ° 21'11 "N, 42 ° 26'13" east longitude.Peak has a tapered shape, located in the northern part of the Caucasus and is visible even hundreds of kilometers.
Two separate volcano-tops formed on one tectonic basis.Sometimes the height of Mount Elbrus in different sources differ, as is taken into account only one of the tops.East cone (5621 m) is considered to be relatively young and has a classic bowl shape of the crater.West Peak (the highest point of Russia) reaches 5642 m, it is more ancient and broken.Between the vertices a distance of about one and a half kilometers.
Geographic data
Elbrus is at rest, but the volcanic processes it did not stop and continued to develop at a depth of 6-7 km.
mountain slopes is mainly flat, but with the rise of more than 4 km of the slope of the approaching 35 degrees.The western and northern portions of the top of a steep, steep vertical slopes can be up to 700 meters.
above 3,500 meters, they are covered by vast glaciers with a total area of 145 km2, which at the bottom end icefalls.In the warm subtropical air Caucasian meltwater valleys snow cap of Mount Elbrus form origins beautiful and largest rivers in the region - Malka, Baksan and Kuban.
Land to snow-capped peaks are covered with stone scree.Most of the rocks comprise granites, gneiss, diabase, and other volcanic products are of ancient origin.
Elbrus as the highest point of Russia, stretched for hundreds of kilometers of its snow-ice is thicker, for millions of years determines the weather and climate of the valleys, foothills and much of the surrounding region.
Rebellious height
Location Caucasus Mountains create more complex conditions for climbers.The level of hypoxia exceeds that of Tibet and the Himalayas.This, combined with low air temperatures and arctic climate of Mount Elbrus in the conquest of peaks requires the mobilization of all physical abilities, extensive knowledge and skills in climbing.
the first time the highest point of Russia was conquered in 1829 by an expedition led by General GA Emanuel Hunter Balkaria - Ahia Sottana - first visited on both top and at the age of one hundred and twenty-one, climbed back up the mountain.Elbrus has now become commonplace, and it is possible to make several routes, well-designed and affordable.Peak is among the seven most coveted by climbers to conquer the whole world.But it is worth remembering that this insidious top with a variety of dangerous glaciers annually takes the lives of about 10 climbers.
Fairy Elbrus
picturesque mountainsides sung with dilapidated times in the epics, tales, legends and epics.Bright and flowering valleys interspersed with snowy glaciers and bare rocky slopes.In hidden corners of the majestic mountains and fabulous hidden caves, entailing caving enthusiasts.The resort and reserved parts of the Elbrus hit unique sources of mineral water is popular for its medicinal properties.
translated from languages of peoples of the North Caucasus Elbrus is "high", "ice mountain eternal happiness."This peak, according to legend, was the only remaining land after the Great Flood.Sweeping grandeur and beauty of Mount admired poets of the Caucasus, sang her, AS Pushkin and Lermontov M. Yu
Now tourists and lovers of skiing and extreme relaxation can enjoy top in the popular Russian resort.
During the Great Patriotic War on the high slopes of Mount Elbrus were real fights.The highest point of Russia was captured by German soldiers, and in the plans of the fascist command was renamed the largest mining giants of Europe "peak of Hitler."However, the winter of 1943 the military overthrew the Soviet Army mountaineers invaders from Elbrus.
mountain five thousand meters
complex and multifaceted geography Russia has another 71 vertices, each of which exceeded the mark of 4000 meters.Of these, 67 are located on the peaks of the Greater Caucasus, the two mountains are in the Altai, three - in Kamchatka.
It applies five thousand meters the highest point in Russia - the magnificent Mount Elbrus, and another seven peaks of the Caucasus.
Dykhtau - the second largest Caucasian summit (5204 m).Because of the steepness of the slopes, rocky and inclinations of glaciers is one of the most difficult peaks Russia.Therefore, the conquered was many years after Mount Elbrus, in 1888.Dare to climb the mountain and only the most experienced climbers desperate.
Koshtantau - the peak height of 5152 meters. Almost the most inaccessible peaks of the Caucasus Mountains.Conquering only in 1899.Distinguished by unique beauty and stunning marble glaciers.
Peak Pushkin - height of 5033 m. It is named in honor of the centenary of the poet's death.Bizarrely situated between two peaks - the East and the peak Borovikova Dykhtau.Beautiful, powerful and sharp mountain towers over the other peaks, climbers nicknamed "policeman".
Dzhangi-Tau - "New Mountain" height of 5085 meters.Located on the border between Russia and Georgia is a part of Bezengi wall, it is its highest point.The majestic peak is considered to be the crest of the mountain range and is competing for the title of the most comfortable for climbing.This is probably the tip of the most popular with climbers.
Shkhara.Currently, tall mountain is considered the mark of 5068 meters, but this figure is not final.It conquers in 1888.Thanks to its unusual shape, the unique structure and position of the majority of tourists is considered to be the most beautiful of the tops, which are decorated with the highest mountains in Russia.Shkhara intricately composed of granitic rocks and crystals adorn the peak bizarre grottoes and caves.On the opposite slopes of the peak are two of the most stunning glacier Caucasus - Bezengi and Shkhara which flow rivers of ice and end with misty waterfalls.Here is the source of the river Enguri.
Legendary Kazbek - the pride of every Caucasian.The height of 5033.8 m. The name is translated from different languages as a "melting ice with white mountain top."The first ascent was in 1868.It refers to the dormant volcanoes.His activity in 2002 led to the tragedy in Karmadon Gorge.
Kazbek In the caves, at an altitude of 3800 meters, is the ancient Georgian monastery of Bethlehem nativity scene.And according to legend the Chechens, that this hill was chained Titan Prometheus.
Vertex Mizhirgi - the last five thousand meters of the Caucasus and Russia.It consists of two peaks: the western (height 5025 m) and eastern (4927 meters) - two protruding ridge on a mountain ridge.
Award for climbers
If mountaineer conquered the highest point in Russia (this Mount Elbrus), the other seven highest peaks of the Caucasus and the two peaks, the Mountaineering Federation awarded the title "Snow Leopard Russia."
Mount Belukha (4509 m) means "three-headed peak of Katun."It is white and the biggest mountain of the Altai Mountains.It consists of two peaks and saddles Belugas length of 4,000 m. Because of the harsh climate was subdued only in 1914.
active volcano is the highest point in Russia and the Eurasian continent - Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4750-4850 m elevation changes, after the eruption in 2013 - 4835 m).There was a subdued one of the first in 1788.It is a layering of basalt lava.The eruptions are frequent, the height of the ash reached up to 8 km.
