Mount Kazbek

Kazbek is a dormant volcano with an ice-filled crater. From the south, the mountain appears as a perfectly symmetrical white dome rising above green ridges. The Gergeti Glacier descends from the summit to roughly 3,000 m – its tongue is visible from Stepantsminda. At 3,800 m, carved into the rock, lies the Betlemi (Bethlehem) cave monastery, mentioned in medieval Georgian chronicles as a repository for church treasures. The cave entrance sits atop an 80 m rock face, accessible via an iron ladder.

The climbing route begins from Gergeti Church (2,170 m) and passes through the intermediate Deka Camp (3,020 m) to base camp at Betlemi Hut (3,653 m). The hut is a stone building with bunk beds for 20–30 people. Conditions are basic: sleeping bags required, outdoor toilet. From here, acclimatization hikes reach 4,000–4,100 m. Summit day starts at 2–3 AM: up the glacier to a plateau (4,500 m), then a 30-degree slope to the saddle (4,900 m), and a final 100 vertical metres of ice at up to 40–45 degrees.

For those not planning a summit attempt, day hikes are available: to the Gergeti Glacier tongue (~3,000 m, 3–4 hours round trip) or to Deka Camp with views of icefalls and Kazbek's wall. These routes require no technical gear – just proper trekking boots.

Elevation – 5,047 m, Georgia's third-highest peak after Shkhara (5,193 m) and Jangitau (5,059 m)

Type – dormant stratovolcano with glaciers covering ~135 km²

First ascent – 1868, British expedition led by Douglas Freshfield

Base camp – Betlemi Hut (meteorological station) at 3,653 m, stone building with bunks

Route grade – PD (peu difficile), accessible to climbers with basic alpine training

Cave monastery – Betlemi (3,800 m), carved into an 80 m rock face, referenced in 12th-century chronicles

Kazbek is central to Georgian mythology. According to legend, Amirani – the Georgian equivalent of Prometheus – was chained to the mountain after stealing fire from the gods. The Betlemi cave monastery at 3,800 m is referenced in the medieval Georgian chronicles "Kartlis Tskhovreba" as a vault for sacred church treasures. The first documented ascent was made by British mountaineer Douglas Freshfield in 1868. In 1923, Georgian scientist G. Nikoladze reached the summit – an event considered the birth of Georgian mountaineering.

During the Soviet era, a meteorological station was built at 3,653 m, which now serves as the climbers' base camp (Betlemi Hut). In 2018, the private Altihut refuge opened at 3,013 m, offering more comfortable conditions. Today, Kazbek is one of the most popular 5,000 m peaks for commercial expeditions, with hundreds of climbers from dozens of countries summiting annually. The climbing season runs from June to October.

From Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (150 km, 3–3.5 hours):

– Shared minibus (marshrutka) from Didube – 15–20 GEL (~$6–7)

– Private taxi – 150–200 GEL (~$55–74)

– Car rental – free parking in Stepantsminda

From Stepantsminda to the trailhead:

– 4x4 taxi to Gergeti Trinity Church (2,170 m) – 25 GEL/person or 70–100 GEL/vehicle

– On foot from Stepantsminda to the church – 1–1.5 hours

Climbing route:

Gergeti Church (2,170 m) → Deka Camp (3,020 m, 3–4 hrs) → Betlemi Hut (3,653 m, 3–4 hrs) → Summit (5,047 m, 7–10 hrs from base camp)

Climbing season: June–September (optimal: mid-July to mid-September). More stable weather, less snow on the route.

For day hikes: May–October.

Ski touring: April–early June.

Duration: summit expedition – 5–7 days. Glacier day trek – 1 day. Base camp trek – 2 days.

Avoid: November–March for climbing (avalanche risk, extreme cold). Weather deteriorates after midday – summit attempts always start at night.