Fig. 52

3. Ascent to Maly Dombai-Ulgen peak via the northern ridge — category 4A (Fig. 52)

From Dombai clearing along the trail to the left of Chuchkhur waterfalls to Chuchkhur pass — bivouac. From Dombai clearing — 4–5 hours. From the pass along несложным разрушенным скалам (protection!) to the red rocks. First along the northern ridge, then exit to the rocks of the northeastern ridge and along narrow ledges on the eastern side of the ridge — exit to a wide crevice with a three-meter plug. Through this crevice via the plug — to the first ascent. Ascent to the first ascent:

Fig. 41

2. Ascent to the summit of Yuzhny Dombay-Ulgen via the southern ridge with crossing Dombay and Ptysh passes — cat. 2B (see Fig. 40–42)

From Ptysh bivouac, up the moraine of Ptysh glacier (15–20 minutes) and left — towards Dombay pass. Ascend via the couloir (or its right side) and reach the eastern edge of Kruzhevoy glacier. Then:

• Ascend the snowy slope
• Ascend the wide couloir
• Traverse on the right side of the rocky ridge
• Reach Dombay pass — bivouac

REPORT

on the ascent of Pik Ine (3409 m), located in the area of the Main Caucasian Range and its spurs from Marukh pass to Nakhara pass, via the northwest ridge, category 4A (approximately).

1. The route was first climbed in 1960 by a group led by Macevitogo Yu.M. July 30 – August 1, 1973, the ascent was made by a group from "Alibek" tourist center, consisting of:

• 1. Kokodiy N.G. — 2nd sports category — leader
• 2. Borodenko Yu.A. — 1st sports category
• 3. Chepeleva I.P. — 2nd sports category
• 4. Kononenko V.I. — 2nd sports category

2. Brief geographical description of the ascent area Pik Ine (3409 m) — a low, beautiful pointed peak, fully justifying its name ("Needle"), is located in a spur branching off to the north from the Dzheguturoluchat horseshoe in the area of its eastern peak. The peak is clearly visible from Dombay поляна.

Ascent to Kap Peak (3207 m) — Category 1B (Fig. 16)

From the "Alibek" hut along the trail to the glacier or from the bivouac near Turye Lake along the gentle part of the Alibek Glacier — approach to the far right couloir of the Kap Peak slopes. Up the couloir (rockfall hazard!) to the cirque step. There are three ascent options: 1st option:

• To the right along the snowfield into the couloir and along the slabs (belay!) left-up to the ridge.
• Then along the ridge (belay through outcrops!).
• The upper part of the ridge is scree.
• The red rocks of the forepeak are bypassed on the right, then again exit to the ridge and along it to the summit.
• The summit dome is snow-covered.
• The journey from the bivouac to the summit takes 5–6 hours.
• Descent via the ascent route — 3–4 hours.

Fig. 3

2. Ascent to the Marukh-bashi summit via the northern ridge — category 3B difficulty (Fig. 3B)

From the Yuzhno-Karakayskiy pass (overnight stay on the moraine under the pass) ascend up to the right along the snow to the right side of the ridge to the rocks. Then move left along the rocks for 60 m and reach the main ridge. Along the heavily fragmented rocks of the main ridge (rockfall hazard!) ascend 90 m upwards and continue along the clearly defined ridge to the slabs. Bypass the slabs on the right (40–50 m) and reach the first ascent. From the ridge, move right to bypass the ascent (8 m), then climb 20 m upwards along the wall of the ascent (piton protection!) and reach the

Fig. 33

8. Ascent to Mitnikov Peak (3700 m) via the Eastern Ridge — Cat. 3B (Fig. 33)

From Dombayskaya Polyana, follow the trail, then cross the Dombay River via a ford, and ascend along grassy slopes, scree, and rocky outcrops on the left side of the Inye Glacier (in rope connections on the glacier!) to a snow plateau. Continue:

• Left — ascend to the col between Maly Inye Peak (Zoloto Peak) and the spur of the Eastern summit of Jughuturuchat.
• Cross the col and exit onto the Eastern Jughuturuchat Glacier (the glacier is avalanche-prone,

Ascent Log

1. Ascent class — rock climbing
2. Ascent area — Uzunkol tourist center, Western Caucasus
3. Ascent route — Gvandra East peak 3900 m via the eastern ridge
4. Proposed category of difficulty — 3A category of difficulty
5. Route characteristics — height difference 700 m, average slope 45°
6. Pitons hammered: for belaying: — rock: II — ice: 2

98. Shkhelda East with ascent to the "saw" of the East ridge via Central North couloir (B. Garf route, 5A cat.). The path from the "Shkhelda" alplager (4-5 people) through the Shkhelda gorge to the "Shkhelda overnight stays" is described in route 111. From the "Shkhelda overnight stays" (departure not later than 1:00 am) cross the glacier and reach the wide snow-ice Central North couloir descending from the East ridge - "saw" of Shkhelda East summit. Ascend the couloir via avalanche debris, then, sticking to the left side, 400-500 m up (avalanches, rocks!) until crevasses and ice seracs. Further, between crevasses and seracs 200 m

90. Peak Aristova via North-West Ridge (V. Abalakov's Route, Cat. 5A) From Shkhelda alpine camp (group of 4-8 people), ascend via the trail on the right slope of Shkhelda gorge. Beyond the forest, move along the trail on grassy slopes, then on large talus to the moraine of Shkhelda glacier. Follow the right moraine of the glacier to the confluence with Aksu glacier. From here, turn left and follow the median moraine towards the North Walls of Peak Aristova. From the moraine, move across the glacier towards the rightmost rocky ridge branching off from the North-West Ridge of Peak Aristova - the first rocky belt of the peak - and ascend via the avalanche debris, then along the snowy slope-couloir to the right ridge of the belt. Ascend simple rocks of the ridge to the platforms above overhanging rocks. Camp on the