ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Traverse of the peaks Dzhimaraikhokh (4778 m) — "4398" — Suatisi-Khokh (4473 m) 5A cat. diff. The peaks Dzhimaraikhokh (4778 m), "4398" and Suatisi-Khokh (4473 m) are located in the Lateral Range of the Caucasus, west of the peak Kazbek. Their massifs limit the Midagrabin plateau from the east and southeast. Dzhimaraikhokh is the highest peak in the mountains of North Ossetia. The ice masses of Dzhimaraikhokh and Suatisi-Khokh are connected by a ridge. The peaks Dzhimaraikhokh, "4398" and Suatisi-Khokh:

• are composed of schists cut through by diabase dykes;
• have significant glaciation. The western rock-ice rib of Dzhimaray steeply descends into the upper cirque of the Midagrabin glacier. The first ascent on Dzhimaraikhokh was made via the eastern ridge by a group led by A. Dzaparidze in 1935. The traverse of the peaks Dzhimaraikhokh — Shau-Khokh is classified as 4A cat. diff.

The peaks of Jimarai-khok (4776 m), "4398" and Soutisi-khok (4473 m) are located west of the peak Kazbek in the spur of its snowy massif and limit the Midagravin plateau from the east and southeast. Jimarai-khok is the highest peak in the mountains of North Ossetia. Its icy-rocky northern wall is clearly visible in clear weather from the city of Ordzhonikidze between the white caps of Kazbek and Shau-khokh (4000 m). The peaks of Jimarai-khok, "4398" and Soutisi-khokh are composed of schists cut by diabases and effusives, and have significant glaciation. The western rocky ridge of Jimarai consists of effusive rocks. The first ascent to Jimarai was made by a group led by Z. Japaridze in 1935 via the western rocky ridge. In subsequent years:

• In 1950, climbers from the "Medik" Sports Society of North Ossetia visited Jimarai again.
• In 1955, a group from the North Ossetian alpine section led by Suzhaev traversed the peaks of Jimarai-khok - Shau-khokh, which was rated as a category 5B route.
• The peak Soutisi was first conquered by a group led by S.V. Polyakov in 1956 via a ridge ascent from the Tep pass. No one has ever been to the peak "4398", which remains nameless. The beauty of the Jimarai, Soutisi peaks and the snowy-icy ridge with cornices and icicles between them prompted the climbers from the "Lokomotiv" Sports Society to undertake this traverse, which is described below.