Mshatka-Kaya — 7

Via the first counterforce of the western part of the massif ("Filatova"), 3B (20 m, V) (route by V. and A. Volkodav and E. Filatova, 1972)

This is one of the most popular routes among climbers of average qualification.

50 m east of the climbers' camp near the Foros Canyon, from the upper highway, ascend up and to the right

first along the trail, and then along simple rocks in the direction of the first counterforce of the western part of the massif. The main part of the route begins from a horizontal ledge located at the base of the left side of the counterforce (section R0: 300 m, 45°, no category).

On section R1–R2 — up along the inner corner 15 m to a ledge with a tree. Then, first along the wall, and then left and up to a tree (R1–R2: 15 m, 70°, II; 25 m, 75°, III).

On section R2–R3 — up along the couloir 35 m to a tree growing at the base of the chimney (R2–R3: 35 m, 50–60°, II).

On section R3–R4 — up first along the chimney 8 m and then along simple rocks to a ledge with a tree. The chimney can be bypassed on the right along steep walls (R3–R4: 8 m, 90°, IV; 32 m, 65°, II).

On section R4–R5 — up 40 m along the counterforce to a steep wall with a tree in the middle.

Section R5–R6 is the key one. First, up along the steep wall to a large pine. From it, up along a 10-meter sheer crack and then to a ledge with trees.

Characteristics of the sections:

• R4–R5: 40 m, 60–70°, II
• R5–R6: 20 m, 75°, IV; 10 m, 80°, V; 10 m, 50°, I

On the last section, ascend along the counterforce via simple rocks.

Characteristics of the section:

• R6–yaila: 100 m, 50–60°, I–II

The ascent takes 2–3 hours. The length of the main part of the route is about 300 m.

Elena Filatova was a student at the Dnepropetrovsk Mining Institute. Together with friends, she made many ascents in Crimea. She died in 1973, caught in an avalanche during an ascent in the Western Caucasus.

Brothers Alexander and Vasily Volkodav were active climbers of the Dnepropetrovsk "Burvestnik" in the 60s–70s. During their studies at the Dnepropetrovsk Mining Institute, they were heavily involved in mountaineering and rock climbing. They were among the first to master the routes of Crimea and made a number of interesting first ascents.