ASCENT PASS

1. ASCENT CLASS — rock
2. ASCENT REGION — Western Caucasus, Arkhyz, Soffiy Range between the upper reaches of the Sofia and Ak-Airy rivers
3. PEAK, ROUTE — peak "MELIORATOR" (proposed by the first ascenders), 3055 m via the North couloir and East ridge
4. PROPOSED DIFFICULTY CATEGORY — 2A
5. ROUTE CHARACTERISTICS — combined, via a snow-ice couloir and a rocky ridge, height difference 460 m, average slope — 45°, ridge — 25°
6. HOOKS DRIVEN IN — 3 ice screws, 2 rock pitons
7. TRAVEL TIME — about 8 hours
8. NUMBER OF NIGHTS — not required on the route
9. ASCENT LEADER — Zaporizhchenko E.V. — Candidate Master of Sports, instructor

Ascent Passport

I. ASCENT CLASS 2. ASCENT AREA, RIDGE 3. PEAK, ITS HEIGHT, ASCENT ROUTE, NATURE OF THE ROUTE

• Rocky
• Western Caucasus, North-Western spur of the Sofiyskiy ridge, Psysh river basin
• “Komsomolets Stavropolya” (as named by the first ascenders), 3290 m, via the Eastern ridge, snow-rocky

4. PROPOSED DIFFICULTY CATEGORY — 2A
5. ROUTE CHARACTERISTICS

• Height difference — 350 m, average steepness — 45°

Ascent Passport

1. Region, gorge, section number according to KMGV-2001 — Western Caucasus, Belaya River gorge, section 2, subsection 2.1. Krasnodar and Stavropol regions up to Marukh pass.
2. Name of the peak, its height, route name — Mt. Oshen (2804 m) via the northeastern counterfort and northern slope.
3. Route character — combined.
4. Assumed 1Bz category of difficulty, first ascent.
5. Route height difference — 426 m. Route length — 900 m. Length of sections: V category of difficulty — 0 m, VI category of difficulty — 0 m. Average steepness: main part of the route — 30°.

The summit of PESHTERA is 3070 m and is located in the North-Eastern spur, running from the junction near the summit of Velbashi (3243 m). It rises like a rocky pyramid above the valley of the left tributary of the Sofia River, which flows into the latter near the "Syrzavod" glade. To the northwest of PESHTERA, separated by a col with an absolute height of 2800 m, are the rocky bastions of the summit named "60th anniversary of KChAO" (2970 m). Both summits are visible from the "Syrzavod" glade, where the base camp was located during the winter alpinism event (see orographic scheme, photo ©). The 3070 m summit, as an object of first ascent, was proposed by the coaching council of the federation to a group of athletes under the leadership of R.A. Gorda. The only acceptable approach from the point of view of avalanche safety was the eastern spur of the NE ridge, descending from the Eastern pre-summit of the "60-let KChAO" peak (consultations with candidate of geographical sciences, avalanche specialist VGI in Nalchik, Mr. Runich A.V.). From the "Syrzavod" glade with an absolute height of 1930 m, descent to the Sofia River and in the area of the mouth of its left tributary - crossing the river in the direction of the Eastern spur, leading to the NE ridge of the "60 let KChAO" summit. Along the spur, overgrown with forest in the lower part, straight up, leaving avalanche-prone slopes on the right and left. Having gone beyond the forest boundary, continue to move along the watershed line to a group of separate trees and further - to the last spruce, from which the rocks of the spur begin. The mentioned spruce is visible from the "Syrzavod" glade. Further along the wide rocky spur - exit to the junction point of the NE ridge, having a mark of 2590 m (660 m height difference). Here is the starting point of the route (2-3 hours of ascent along a pre-organized snow trail).

Route Description

Fig. 35. North-west buttress, ridge and summit point of the peak Pyatigorsk with the ascent route (13). Photo by A. Runich. Fig. 37. The summit 1300 years of Bulgaria with its traverse route. Photo by A. Makushenko. Fig. 38. The summit Ak-Airy with its traverse route. Photo by A. Makushenko. Fig. 39. Sketch of the traverse of the Ak-Airy horseshoe. Part of the traverse from the beginning of the route to the saddle between the summits Pyatigorsk and 1300 years of Bulgaria (East Ak-Airy pass). Scale 1:5000. In the inset photos: a — view of the Ak-Airy horseshoe. Photo by B. Fedorov; b — on the dome of the Ak-Airy summit. Photo by A. Makushenko.

Peak 3131 (Goryacheva South Rock) Route: via the south-eastern ridge Difficulty category: 2A–2B* (combined) Leader: V. Babkin Western Caucasus, Arkhyz, Irkis valley, Arkassara ridge, north-eastern spur (Gabul), Kara-Su tract Section in the KMGV — 2.1.

Report

On the first ascent of the climbing route to Peak 3131 (Goryacheva South Rock) as part of the climbing competition: "The third stage of the Cup of the North Travel Club 'Sauk-Pai' — 'Irkis-2015'" (class "First Ascents") in May 2015.

• Route: via the south-eastern ridge
• Difficulty category: (approximately) 2A–2B category (combined)

DESCRIPTION

ASCENT TO SMIDOVICH PEAK (3359 m) VIA THE SOUTHEAST RIDGE (PHOTO № 1, 2, 3, 4)

Smidovich Peak is located in the Kardyvach Lake area, so the base camp for the ascent is set up near Kardyvach Lake.

Approach to the overnight stay at Smidovich Pass:

• Starts from Kardyvach Lake through the gorge of the Upper Mzymta River to the northern wall of Laub Peak.
• A gentle ascent along the snowy slope goes along the Upper Mzymta River, which is hidden under the snow.
• After 2.5 hours, you should reach a steep southwestern grassy slope overgrown with rhododendron, with small rocky outcrops.
• The ascent to the western cirque of Smidovich Peak and the Tsendyshkho peaks takes 1 hour.
• The path continues across the firn of the cirque, leading to the western edge of Smidovich Peak.

Overnight stay features:

DESCRIPTION

First ascent to v. Sofia via the eastern slope and ridge, approximately category 2A difficulty. From the base camp, follow the trail used by Kislovodsk climbers to the Sofiyskiy glacier, emerging under the eastern slopes of v. Sofia – 4 hours. The route initially follows a diagonal ledge, from right to left, passing from "sheep's foreheads" to "sheep's foreheads". The approach involves a steep snowy slope with a gradient of 40–45° – 250–300 m, followed by a wide bergschrund. The "sheep's foreheads" are traversed with piton protection – initially 10 m straight up, then 60 m to the left with a gradual gain in height. Climbing is difficult. The group of six spends 2 hours on this section. After reaching the diagonal ledge, move along it to the left towards a couloir descending from the ridge – 45–60 minutes. Movement is with simultaneous protection. The ledge is snow-covered. Before the couloir, turn right at a 90° angle and climb onto a degraded rocky ridge. The rocks are moderately difficult, with movement on a full rope and simultaneous protection. The ridge has many protrusions that can be used for belaying. The ascent along the ridge takes 1 hour, after which you emerge onto a snowy slope with a gradient of 40–45°. This slope is traversed:

• initially 60 m up and to the left,
• then 30 m up and to the right, emerging onto the eastern ridge – 20–30 minutes.

Description

First ascent to v. Sofia via the western ridge, approximately category 3A. From the base camp, follow the left bank of the Sofia River (orographically) until the confluence with the Ak-Airy River. Then, move left and upwards along the left (orographically) bank of the Ak-Airy River to the first belt of "ram's foreheads" - 1 hour of movement. The belt of "ram's foreheads" is bypassed from the right along a small stream. Then, move left across small meadows overgrown with rhododendron. After the meadows, move along the middle talus to the shoulder, beyond which lies the upper part of the Ak-Airy River valley. Here, there is a green, flat clearing with a stream of clear water nearby. A suitable location for the initial bivouac. From the first belt of "ram's foreheads" - 1 hour. From the initial bivouac, move upwards along the Ak-Airy River across talus to the Ak-Airy glacier. The glacier ends in an icefall, which is bypassed from the right across a rocky outcrop. Then, ascend a snowy slope with a steepness of 35-40° - 150-200 m upwards, exiting onto the glacier. From the initial bivouac to the glacier exit - 1 hour of movement.