Elbrus
Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and Russia, reaching a height of 5,642 meters. The mountain is included in the list of the 7 highest peaks of the continents, and its glaciers feed the waters of such large rivers as the Malka, Kuban, Baksan. Due to the developed infrastructure, the surrounding areas are popular with tourists, climbers, as well as those wishing to improve their health in local resorts.
Elbrus is located on the border of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria with a base diameter of 15 km and two distinct peaks with heights of 5621 and 5642 meters. According to its structure, it is an ancient stratovolcano that began to form more than 2 million years ago. According to research by scientists, eruptions occurred approximately 33,000, 21,000, 8000, 6500, 5100 years BC. The last eruption occurred 900 years ago. There are 23 glaciers on the slopes of the mountain, covering an area of more than 130 km2. The largest of them are Maly and Bolshoy Azau, Kyukurtlu, Irik, Terskol.
The mountain climbing route is quite simple, but 15-20 people die here every year, including both "wild tourists" and professional climbers with extensive climbing experience. From 1929 to 2010, 29 professional climbers, including masters of sports, died. The most widespread death was on May 9, 2006, when 11 out of 12 tourists died from hypothermia in the Elbrus Saddle. Climbers die mainly due to bad weather and the consequences of insufficient acclimatization. Many die from falling into cracks and hypothermia. The weather adds to the difficulties, which can completely change in a few hours.
In 1829, the scientific expedition led by General Georgy Arsenievich Emmanuel had its very first successful ascent. The expedition was attended by scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as several prominent European scientists and travelers. As the infrastructure developed, the ascents became more widespread. So in 1935, 2016 people climbed Elbrus, and in 1960, during the mountain climbing alone, 1,395 people climbed the mountain. There were even daredevils who climbed mountains on a motorcycle or a car. In 1998, horses of the Daur and Hurzuk breeds ascended the mountains with riders to draw attention to the preservation of their breeds. And in September 2015, Andrey Rodichev, an athlete from Murmansk, climbed the mountain, taking with him a 75-kilogram barbell.
In order to help the climbers in their ascent, in 1909, a stone dugout for 5 people was built at an altitude of 3,200 meters. In 1932, a building for 40 people was built at an altitude of 4,200 meters, which later became a hotel. There are several shelters at different heights, and some can be reached by cable car.
