Ascent Record
- Climbing area: Kamchatka. Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes.
- Name of the peak: Ploskaya Dalnaya — Ushkovsky 3943 m. Eastern slope.
- Suggested category of difficulty — 2A.
- Type of route: ice and snow.
- Height difference: 1200 m.
- Route length: 2.5 km.
- Average steepness: 35°.
- Moving time: 7 hours.
- Number of days: 1 day.
- The route was first ascended by a group led by Maria Morozova in 1973.
- Leader, participants, surname, initials, sports rank.
1.) Bichenko Alexander Nikolaevich — Candidate Master of Sports 2.) Sagitova R. — 2nd sports rank 3.) Vorobets A. — 3rd sports rank 4.) Reichman E. — 3rd sports rank 5.) Kovkov A. — 3rd sports rank
- Departure date 09.06.2003.
- Return to the camp 09.06.2003.
The ascents were organized by year-round training camps, "KUTH" tourist center.
Map of the Climbing Area
Scale 1:2000 m.
Base camp — 2750 m.
Photopanorama of the Climbing Area "Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes" Ploskaya Dalnaya — Ushkovsky
- Ploskaya Blizhnyaya — Krestovsky 2B category of difficulty, to the V-ridge. O. Alexeeva 1968.
- Ploskaya Dalnaya — Ushkovsky 2A category of difficulty, L-s. E-slope. M. Morozova 1973.
Brief Overview of the Climbing Area
Ploskaya Dalnaya — Ushkovsky volcano is located in the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes. It is considered an active volcano in Kamchatka. The entire volcanic massif is covered with a powerful ice cap. There are five fumarole areas on the summit, ranging in size from 15 to 100 m².
Nearest settlements to the volcano:
- Kозыревск village, located 60 km away
- Kлючи town, 40 km away
From the settlements, it's possible to drive to the foot of the volcano via forest roads until the forest zone boundary. Then, it's a 3–4 day hike to the Svetly glacier in the center of the Klyuchevskaya group. However, the most convenient option is by helicopter from Kозыревск, with a 30-minute flight one way, landing on the glacier at an altitude of 2750 m.
Additional Information
The eastern slope of Ushkovsky volcano was first ascended by a group of Kamchatka climbers led by Maria Morozova in 1973. A report was compiled but wasn't submitted for route classification due to circumstances at the time. Today, this route is considered classic and is used as training before ascending:
- Kamen volcano
- Klyuchevskoy volcano
The Kamchatka Federation proposes to include the route in the classifier as 2A on the western slope, named after M. Morozova, 1973.
Ploskaya Dalnaya Ushkovsky 3943 m. E-slope
It's convenient to set up the base camp on the Svetly glacier at an altitude of 2750 m. From the camp, approach the route via the glacier, heading towards the center of the eastern slope. The ascent begins on the ice slope between two glaciers flowing from the summit crater, see photo on page 3. The slope's steepness is 35°–40°. Movement along the route is done simultaneously throughout. When approaching the first summit crater, caution is necessary due to potential crevasses. Continue along the broad ridge in a southwest direction, exiting onto the second summit crater. When exiting, overcome two bergschrunds, one and two meters high. The summit is a vast crater filled with ice, with fumarole fields. The highest point is the snowy rim of the crater, in a southwest direction.
Ascent time is 6–7 hours. Descent is via the same route.