ASCENT ROUTE DESCRIPTION to CENTRAL IRIK-CHAT peak (via Eastern summit) 2B cat. difficulty

The height of the peak is 4050 m. "Adyl-Su" tourist center 1975 The Irik-chat peaks are located in the Eastern spur of Elbrus. From the fork of the Baksan valley and Adyl-Su gorge, take the road to the Elbrus village, located at the entrance to the Irik-chat gorge. Take the lower trail on the right bank of the Irik-chat river and ascend the gorge. The trail goes along the grassy slope past sand pillars, small forests, to the confluence of the Chat and Irik rivers. At the forest boundary, there are "lower campsites". (3–3.5 hours from "Adyl-Su" tourist center). Then the trail goes up to the right along a steep grassy slope (40 min – 1 hour) and leads to a large stone on the site — "middle campsites". From here, ascend along the trail of the grassy slope, then along the scree towards the "Finger" gendarme on the saddle of the eastern ridge of the Irik-chat peak. The exit to the saddle is to the left of the "Finger" gendarme. 3–3.5 hours from "middle campsites" to the saddle.

Irik-Chat western 1B cat. diff.

The ascent to Western Irik-Chat starts from a bivouac located in the Chat gorge on the upper green areas among numerous streams. The ascent is via the central couloir, clearly visible in the relief, which is covered with large talus. Snow remains in places within the couloir. After two to three hours of ascent, the couloir forks. The ascent continues via the left (in the direction of travel) couloir to a snowy saddle between two gendarmes located on the ridge running from the western summit. The gendarmes are overcome head-on. The rocks are not difficult, but belaying is necessary through protrusions and shoulder throws. Then, we reach the ridge leading directly to the summit. The ridge consists of easy rocks, which give way to large talus just before the summit. The entire ascent takes 4–4.5 hours. Descent is via the ascent route.

1 reddish rock 2 north-west ridge 3 Descent route to Nrik-chat valley

17. Traverse of Irikchat from east to west (P. Kovalev's route, category 3A). The path from the "Fork" of the Baksan valley and Adylsu gorge to the initial bivouac on the southern slopes of Irikchat is described in route 14, and the path to the Eastern summit is described in route 15. From the Eastern summit, descend along a plate, a 4-5-meter wall, and moderately difficult rocks to a point below the 2nd gendarme. Traverse 30 m along ledges on the left side (belay!) to bypass the gendarme and reach a platform. From the platform, make a 1.5-meter descent (hanging on hands) to a col. From the col, ascend along a plate with a crack, then 60-80 m along moderately difficult rocks, and 30-35 m along simple ridge

16. Traverse of Irikchata from west to east (P. Rototaev's route, cat. 3B, complexity). The path from the "Razvilka" of the Baksan valley and Adylsu gorge (group of 4-8 people) to the summit of Irikchat Zapadnaya is described in route 14. From the Zapadnaya summit, descend via