Mount Elbrus location
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In which mountain system Mount Elbrus is located?
The double-headed Mount Elbrus (5642 m), from where many climbers begin acquaintance with the high mountains, belongs to the Caucasian mountain system. The huge ice massif of Mount Elbrus is located away from the Main Caucasian Range, at a distance of about 15 km north from the main range line.
Geologically, the volcanic origin of Mount Elbrus significantly distinguishes it from the most of the Caucasian mountains formed during the collision of the tectonic plates. Of the closest "relatives" of Mount Elbrus, we can list other mountains of obvious volcanic origin: Mount Kazbek, Mount Ararat, Mount Demavend and smaller peaks in the Stavropol region of Russia - especially the group of Pyatigorsk hills - Zmeyka, Mashuk, Zheleznaya, Razvalka, etc.
The magnificent chain of the Caucasus Mountains stretched from the east to the west for about 700 kilometers. The highest part of the Caucasus Mountains is located on the section from Mount Elbrus to Mount Kazbek - the distance in a straight line from one mountain to another is approximately 180 km. In good weather, from the Mount Kazbek route you can enjoy the views of dawn on Mount Elbrus - this is one of the most memorable views of the Caucasus Mountains. The crystal clear mountain air creates the illusion of proximity of these snow-white giants, the scale of which is difficult to realize without measuring them with your own feet.
Elbrus is much massive than all the other Caucasus peaks, the total area of Mount Elbrus glaciation is 134 sq. km. This is approximately 10% of the total surface of glaciers of the entire Caucasus.
Looking at Mount Elbrus from an airplane or in a satellite image, you can be amazed at its scale! Even in comparison with the highest parts of the Main Caucasian Range, Mount Elbrus looks like a giant, and its ice fields are fascinating.
This is the main, most famous and symbolic mountain of the Caucasus. For hundreds of kilometers, when viewed from the north, the snow-white dome of the double-headed mountain hovers above the fields and plains. Above the rugged fence of the Caucasus Range, when viewed from the south, from the rocky shores of the Black Sea, it is impossible not to recognize the outlines of the gentle snowy summits of Elbrus.
From the east, at dawn, the dome of Mount Elbrus - the Main Mountain of the Caucasus, glows with a crimson bonfire. It is clearly visible for 300-400 kilometers from Dagestan, Chechnya, Ossetia, Georgia and even from Armenia.
The climbing schedules for Mount Elbrus and Mount Kazbek coincide - the ascents start at 2-3 o'clock in the morning and take about 8 hours each. So often in real time, we can literally wave hand to our colleagues climbing in almost 200 km away. The quality of the cellular communication allows you to establish live video connection from both the top of Mount Elbrus and Mount Kazbek.
And in the powerful telescope you can distinguish tiny points on the line of the blue sky and snowy peaks. These are the lucky ones who managed to get to their goal and fulfill their dream - to get to the holy of holies of the Caucasus Mountains - the sacred summits of Elbrus and Kazbek - accessible only for the strongest.
The author of the texts and photographs Alex Trubachev
Your professional mountain guide for Mount Elbrus and other mountain climbing routes in Caucasus
MCS EDIT 2024