personal guide for backpacking in the Russian mountains

Arkhyz. Western Caucasus.

The cost of my services according to the basic plan:

A beautiful route passing through the highlands (the average altitude of the route is 2700 meters above sea level). A great way to check how the body will behave in conditions of insufficient oxygen without endangering life and health. On the route there are 4 high mountain passes (2892, 2848, 2980, 2987 MASL) and 2 peaks with a height of 3214 MASL (Rechepsta) and 3173 MASL (Dinnik Peak). We carry all the equipment and food on ourselves. In addition to your belongings, you will have to take about 5-6 kg of team property. You need a cheerful mood and good physical shape. There will be decent temperature changes, from the heat and scorching sun in the first half of the day, to rain and strong wind in the second, and near zero at night.

General route plan:

1 day.

We will meet at the railway station of the city of Nevinnomyssk or the Mineralnye Vody airport. From there we drive about 3 hours by car, to the confluence of the Arkhyz-Dukka rivers. We're setting up camp. We rest after the road.

2 day.

We start climbing along a good dirt road. We have to walk about 5 km, but the climb is significant, about 600 meters vertically We will go to the so-called Alpine meadows. We get up for the night under the Rechepsta pass. The height of the overnight stay is 2300 MASL.

3 day.

Storming the Rechepsta Pass. We will climb to an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level. Most likely, we will get into the cloud. Then we will slightly drop the altitude and camp on the beautiful mountain lake Perevalnoye. Today is also a sharp climb. About 600 meters by 3 kilometers. The height of the overnight stay is 2700 MASL.

4 day.

We are not putting together a camp today. We make a radial ascent to the highest point of the route - Mount Rechepsta. The height is 3214 meters above sea level. If the weather is good, then a wonderful panoramic view opens from the top. Depending on the month, there may be snowfields on the way. By lunchtime we will return to the camp and rest after two hard days of climbing.

5 day.

Today is an easier day. We take an incredibly beautiful mountain path along the river, about 6 km, to the large and beautiful Lake Kyafar. We will gradually lose and gain altitude. We will set up camp on the shore of the lake. The altitude of the overnight stay is 2400 meters above sea level.

6 day.

Again along the trail, past two beautiful mountain lakes, gaining altitude, we move to the Mylgval pass. We storm it. Depending on the time of the season, there are 2 ways to the pass. The first one, directly. On a rocky slope. With large movable stones. You need to be attention and careful. But starting from the end of July, a beautiful and good trail opens on the right. After the pass we get up for the night. The height of the overnight stay is 2800 MSL.

7 day.

We climb the Agur and Fedoseyev passes. From Fedoseyev Pass we will walk radially to the second highest point of the route - Dinnik Peak (3173 MSL). Then, dropping the height, we go along the slope of the Abishira-Akhuba ridge to the cable car. We descend on it to the village of Romantic. From there, a couple of kilometers along the asphalt road to the parking lot at the base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. If desired, you can take a taxi or a regular bus to the village of Arkhyz. There is a fairly developed tourist infrastructure. Magnets, hychins, beer... The height of the overnight stay is 1600 MSL.

8 day.

We assemble the camp and load into the transport. Through cafes and thermal springs we go to the train station in Nevinnomyssk or the Mineralnye Vody airport, and there we say goodbye to each other. Our journey is coming to an end.

What is included in the base price:

food for the duration of the walking part of the route;
drop-on-drop to the route and back;
descent by cable car to the village of Romantic;
first aid kit;
equipment repair kit;
team equipment (burners, cauldrons);
assistance in preparing for the hike;
escort on the route (minimum: guide-leader + assistant-translator);
there is no one superfluous in the group - only you, your family or friends;
registration with local rescue services;

What will be needed from you:

there are no health contraindications to heavy physical exertion in high-altitude conditions;
all personal equipment and clothing (I will provide a checklist);
tickets and food for the journey to Nevinnomyssk (Mineralnye Vody) and back;
food in the cafe on the way back (optional, about 7$ per person);
thermal springs (optional, about 4$ per person);
taxi from the last parking lot to Arkhyz and back (optional, about 6$ rubles per car);
legal entry into the territory of the Russian Federation;
medical insurance for the duration of your stay in the country;