Climbing the winter Kazbek, the easternmost five-thousandth peak in the Caucasus, is a serious challenge for the experienced. Now people climb this peak every winter, but, no matter how you look at it, the five-thousandth peak in winter is always a serious challenge. Large amounts of snow, very low temperatures and strong winds, bottle ice, and many other challenges await climbers. If you want to get your first serious experience of winter mountaineering and expedition life, or are preparing for high-altitude climbs, Kazbek in winter is one of the best options.
This program requires participants to be in excellent physical shape, an arsenal of different technical skills and experience in climbing large mountains at the same or higher altitudes.
Please note that we have other climbing programs for Kazbek summit:
- Classic climbing Kazbek (in May on Kazbek the weather conditions are almost like in winter; if this program is not in the schedule - feel free to apply for May dates and get ready for your most difficult five thousand meter peak)
- VIP climbing Kazbek
Choose the optimal route for you and join us!
Experienced teamleaders of Kuluar club, who have repeatedly been on Kazbek, including in winter, will accompany the participants throughout the program.
Your safety is our top priority!
Our route requires good acclimatization, which increases the chances of a successful ascent
The program includes several reserve days in case of bad weather
Most costs are included and you won't have to overpay!
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
This will not reduce the sports component, do not worry:)
The manager was personally on Kazbek and will advise you knowledgeably
During the work of the club we have developed an algorithm, which allows us to organize hikes and ascents of the highest quality. You can see this for yourself by applying for participation.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied.
Climbing Kazbek in winter begins in the capital of Georgia. Today we gather the whole group and check the equipment, as well as purchase missing products. The address of the hostel and information on how to get there will be sent to you by the manager. You can fly in during the day. In the evening we have a welcome dinner, where you can ask teamleaders all your questions about the ascent.
We take a pre-booked bus to Stepantsminda, a small village at the foot of Kazbek. On the way there are many picturesque places. The drive will take about 3-4 hours. Here we settle in a hostel and finish our organizational tasks: check our outfit, buy missing food and fuel, etc.
We get up early and leave for the church of Tsminda Sameba. From here only on foot (sometimes horses can carry some of the load a small section of the first day if the amount of snow allows, but do not hope for that). There may be quite a lot of snow at this time, so this trekking will not be easy. First up to Sabertse pass, and then a little more without a special set. The aim for today is the so called "green overnights" at 3000m. Here we will make a tent camp.
Сегодня мы должны добраться до Метеостанции на высоте 3650 м. Фактически это наш базовый лагерь. От ночевок на 3000 м пройдем еще немного вверх и выйдем на ледник Гергети. Пересечем его и поднимемся по крутому взлету на Метео. В зависимости от количества снега, возможно сегодня на леднике уже придется применить кошки и страховочное снаряжение! Ночуем в палатках рядом с Метеостанцией или внутри нее, но в любом случае готовить и отдыхать всегда есть возможность в помещении.
Today we will continue acclimatization. Our task is to get a new altitude and to check out the state of the route and the glacier. Depending on conditions we will try to reach 4000m or higher. We are spending the night at the weather station.
Along the familiar path with all the equipment we will move to the summit camp, which we will set up above 4000 m on the glacier or on the plateau below the summit rise. Depending on the state of the route plans of the group for the day can change. We can walk a part of the route for tomorrow's storm, and we can arrange ice training if there is not much snow. We will spend the night in the camp in tents.
A decisive, summit day! The exit depends on the weather on the mountain, but always early. Today we will have to do a solid vertical set with several technical obstacles. In the windy and/or dry season we may even have to hang rails and jumar on the bare winter ice of the summit climb. Today it will take all the experience and patience to safely and confidently make it to the summit and then down.
And so the last ascent is passed. A little more gentle ridge, and we're at the top! It is almost always windy here, and on a clear day we can see the whole Caucasian ridge all the way to Elbrus. A short rest, photos on the summit, and going down. We spend the night in the summit camp.
We gather the summit camp and go down to the Meteostation. The rest of the day we will relax and collect all the equipment before going down to Stepantsminda.
All the loads are packed, we go down early. It's a long day today, even though it's going downhill all the time, but if there's a lot of snow, it's not easy to hike downhill either. We go down the familiar path to the church, and then to Stepantsminda. Here we can finally breathe out and congratulate each other with the victory. Holiday dinner. Spending the night in a hostel.
If all goes according to plan, the group will leave today leisurely for Tbilisi, where they can rest and walk around the city. Or the day can be used on the mountain as a reserve for inclement weather or to conduct snow and ice sessions if necessary.
Additional reserve day in case of bad weather.
Today the participants finish the program and fly home on their flights. Until new peaks!
Important! The decision on the possibility or inability to continue the ascent is made solely by the teamleaders, is binding in execution and is not subject to discussion. We are interested in as many participants as possible to climb the summit, but safety always comes first!
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, teamleader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. Decisions of teamleader are binding and not subject to discussion.
You must have a valid passport, visas are not required.
!!You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
Climbing Kazbek in winter reveals to you many great peaks. After winter Kazbek we recommend:
We have prepared for you a commemorative medal "Kazbek", which you will receive after the ascent.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek.
You can use the form below to find the cheapest tickets:
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
In winter and early spring it is very windy and cold in the mountains of Georgia. The temperature at high altitudes can drop to -50 degrees! Therefore, winter climbing is suitable only for experienced climbers.
If you don't have your own safety equipment, you can rent it. Crampons, ice axe, and systems can be rented either in your town or from us directly on the mountain. You will have to pay about $80-100 for a set of equipment.
Before the ascent, 3-4 months before the start, make sure to include jogging 2-3 times a week in your schedule (if for some reason you have not been actively involved in running before). This way you will prepare your body for high physical loads and increase its endurance.
Although Kazbek is called one of the most accessible five-thousand meter peaks, it is still not a walk, especially in winter. To participate in the program it is necessary (!) to have experience of a long stay at altitudes about 4-5 thousand meters, as well as experience of winter hiking and climbing (or in the off-season).
The cost depends on the number of participants:
*Depending on the season and the condition of the route.
If the season is dry and it is known that there is a lot of ice on the mountain, the ratio of the number of team leaders to the number of clients is maximum 1:2.
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the hike to teamleader in dollars.
To reserve a place in the group you need to make an advance payment of $300. You can do this by contacting us or by using the payment form on our website.
Important! The terms and conditions of refund of prepayment in case of cancellation of participation in the program:
In the case of get out from the route the money is not refundable.
Friends! We ask very much that you pick up dollar bills from 2003 and newer. Dollars from the 90's are not accepted in many countries and we sometimes have problems when paying with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all:)
