The highest point of Europe Elbrus. Elbrus - Decoration of the Caucasus and the highest mountain of Russia

Elbrus is a major stratovancan, folded from the layers of lava and volcanic ash. It has a conical shape with two vertices located approximately one height. The Western Top of Elbrus rises at 5642 meters above sea level, Eastern - just below, at 5621 meters. The vertices are separated by a gesturing saddler height of about 5300 meters above sea level and are three kilometers from each other.

Elbrus is considered an extinct volcano, but the last eruption occurred not so long ago from a geological point of view - at the beginning of our era, approximately in the first or second century.

There are several versions of the origin of the mountain. According to one of them, "Elbrus" means " high mountain"Or" sparkling mountain "in Iranian language. Karachay and Balkarians who have been living on the territory of the Caucasus in the area of \u200b\u200bElbrus, they call this Volcano Mingi-Tau, which is translated as "Eternal Mountain".

Geographical location of Elbrus

Caucasian Mountains are divided into two parts: Big and Small Caucasus. The big Caucasian ridge passes on the border of Russia with others southern countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan) from black to the Caspian Sea. The territory of the Big Caucasus on the Russian side is divided into several republics and regions: this is Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, North Ossetia. Elbrus is located on the border of the Kabardino-Balkarian and Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

A few kilometers from the foot of the volcano passes the border of Russia with Georgia.

The mountain is located in the northern part of the ridge at a distance from the rest of the vertices, so it is perfectly visible from all sides of the Precaucasia - the double cone is visible even in a hundred kilometers. Elbrus is between the central and western Caucasus. West Side The mining system passes from Elbrus to black Sea coast, Central lies between this vertex and Kazbek.

The volcano is surrounded by several gorges - Adylsu, Adyirsu, Schheldy, glacier arrays and mountains. The locality at the foot of Elbrus and in the region of the River Baksan, which is part of the Terek basin, is called Elbrus. This is a resort region and a protected area with unique natural beauty, sources of therapeutic mineral water and excellent opportunities for ski and hiking.

The boundaries between Europe and Asia are definitely not defined, and if you consider the Caucasian Range border, then Elbrus is the highest point of Europe. Otherwise, this title belongs to Mont Blanc in the Alps.

Two peaks, crowning cone-shaped volcano, separated by the saddle, the height of which is 5300 m. The vertices of Elbrus are two independent volcanoes formed on an ancient volcanic basis. The height of the young cone, located in the East, is 5621 m. This volcano retained a classic cone shape with a well-pronounced crater. The height of the maximum point of Elbrus - Western Peak - reaches 5642 m. This volcano has enough ancient historyWhat was displayed in the state of its upper part - it is partially destroyed by a vertical fault.

Elbrus - a saddoid cone of the volcano, for the last time manifested in 50 g. e. It was about 225 thousand, then 110-70 thousand and less than 30 thousand years ago. The mountain formed about a million years ago consists of alternating layers of lava, ash and tuff.
Elbrus's slopes for the most part have a gentle character, but, starting from a height of 4000 meters, the average angle of inclination reaches 35 degrees. The northern and western slopes are covered with sheer closed areas with a height of 700 meters. Eastern and southern - more gentle and smooth.

Flowers on the southern slope of Elbrus:

At an altitude of more than 3,500 meters, the volcano covers stone placer, rocks and glaciers. The number of the latter is about 70 pieces, and their total area Equal to 134.5 km². The most famous glaciers of Elbrus: TERSKOP, Big and Small Azaau. The flowing flows from them, connecting, create three main rivers of the district - Baksan, Kuban and Malka. Free from glaciers surface is covered with sea. Huge hat from ice and snow round year Keeps the picture form of the Kazakhstan volcano. It is because of this snow cap Elbrus called Malaya Antarctica.

The first written mention of the two-service volcano can be found in the "Book of Victory", written by the Persian historian and the poet, Sharaf Ad-Dean Yazdi. It tells about the Central Asian conqueror of Tamerlane, which during the period of their military campaigns climbed to the top of Elbrus for the implementation of prayer.

The peoples of the Caucasus and the Middle East folded a large number of songs and legends about Elbrus. One of the legends tells about the fact that earlier the mountain was one-burnt. The Magic Bird Simurg, giving up the horses, who inhabited the valleys of mountain gorges, happiness and prosperity inhabited. This idyll lasted for a long century, while the desire to take possession of the podnely throne of birds did not lead to her possessions of two greedy people. Their cruel struggle was stopped by the highest forces: blinding lightning cut the sky, the terrible thunder broke out and the Elbrus broke out in half, hesitating fiery streams on its way. After such a terrible fight, the Simurg Magic Bird disappeared deeply underground, the sadness of the ungratefulness and greed of people.
According to studies of scientists, Elbrus did not remind himself quite a long time, but despite this, the current degree of activity does not give specialists to take it to extinct volcanoes, now he is "sleeping". The volcano really leads quite active external and internal activities. In his depths, there are still hot masses, heating local "hot narzans" - sources saturated with mineral salts and carbon dioxide, the temperature of which reaches + 52 ° C and + 60ºС. The life of many famous sources of therapeutic resorts of Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk and the entire area of \u200b\u200bCaucasian mineral waters begins in the depths of the volcano.
The climate on Elbrus is characterized by the severity relating to it with the Arctic areas. The average temperature in the warmer month of the year does not rise above the election of -1.4 ° C. The precipitation here is quite a lot, but they are mainly represented in the form of snow.
The beautiful peaks of the Caucasus are arranged around the double-headed giant: Nastra-Tau, Ushba, Donguz-Obun.
For the first time, a person managed to get to the eastern (lower) volcanic peak on July 22, 1829. Made this conductor of the Russian scientific expedition, Kabardian by nationality, Kilar Khashirov. The highest peak of Elbrus (Western) was conquered by the climbers team led by Florence Grove in 1874. The first one who reached both vertices was the Balkar Hunter and Shepherd Achia Sathtaev. For the period of his long life, he conquered Elbrus nine times: he committed the first climb at the age of forty years old, and the last one - in 1909, when he was 121 years old.

At the top of Elbrus:

View from the top of Elbrus:

The study of Elbrus by Russian scientists was actively started in the XIX century. Academician V.K. Vishnevsky in 1913 first determined the height and location of the volcano. In addition to the status of a unique natural attraction, the famous Caucasian peak is also an important scientific basis. Even before the war, experiments with space rays were held here in the Soviet Union, and today there is the most highly refined geophysical laboratory.
The territory of Elbrusya is a major center for tourism and skiing. The bulk of the guests are fans of winter sports, including extreme, which are very popular in these mountains. In addition to everyone familiar to all snowboards, Sanya and Freiride, new entertainment hunters were organized by a new entertainment, which is a rise in the top of Elbrus on a helicopter and the next descent from the mountain skiing. For more conservative skier athletes, cableways are provided, the average bandwidth of which is 2400 people per hour.

Mount Elbrus is the highest peak of Europe and Russia in particular. It enters the catalog of the seven highest planet objects Earth. But this is not the only characteristic of this point of the Caucasian Mountains. It is a stratulular or, differently, a layered volcano, which is formed by multilayer hardening, ashes and tephra.

Such vertices are characterized by a large height and a steep shape of the slopes. This is due to the properties of lava masses having a viscous and thick consistency. And the eruptions from stratovulkanov are explosive, while lava quickly freezes and does not spread along the relief over long distances.

Altitude Mount Elbrus

This volcano has two vertices having different heights. Western - 5642 m, and eastern - just below - 5621 m. The distance between them is 3 km, and if measuring along the mountainside - 5,200 meters. On this saddle between the tops of the volcano, the highest in Europe alpine shelter For climbers and lovers to conquer the vertices. And climb into such a height of those who want to eliminate, starting from the first ascent on the eastern vertex on July 22, 1829, Hilair Khachirov. This is a local conductor, a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, which knows the place of place. Western vertex conquered a little later, in 1874, English climbers F. Grove, F. Gardner, H. Walker, P. Knubel and a local conductor A. Sotheev. After that, climbing the height of Mount Elbrus are trying thousands of people from around the world, coming to Elbrusy every year.

Controversial questions

Often on the pages of the worldwide network you can see controversial dialogues about Elbrus, where there is in which country. Mountain is located on the border of several territorial units, although most of the country is still on the territory of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, which occupies the Northern Slope Caucasian Gor..

But the Mountain itself is located at the junction of Kabardino-Balkaria and the Karachay Circassian Republic, its image is on the coat of arms of both these regions. However, very near and North Ossetia, and Georgia, and Stavropol region. Therefore, in Elbrusye is located whole complex Resorts belonging to various republics of Russia and Georgia.

Also disputes on Elbrus (where is located in which country) are conducted and geographers that cannot come together in a single opinion. Doubts cause assumptions that this volcano Located in Europe. Some argue that this is the territory of Asia. The border between the continents takes place just in the middle of the main Caucasian ridge.

Name of Mountain

Depending on the location of Elbrus (where is in which country) local residents Different and called volcano. In Iran, it is called Aytybares, which means "sparkling or brilliant". This name is very consistent with the appearance of the vertex when eternal snow reflect bright sunlight.

In Georgia, they call the Mount Yalbuz, that in translation means: Yal - "Storm", Buz - "Ice". It can be seen, residents of this country have repeatedly witnessed the raging elements on the slopes of the mountain.

The Armenian name is closely phonetically connected with the Georgian version. Sounds like Alberis. Many believe that such a name comes from the word Alps.

The name of the mountain invented by Alans sounds very nice. These are residents of Karachay - Balkaria. "Mingi-Tau" translates as "Eternal Mountain of Consciousness and Wisdom."

The name of the volcano known to the world - Elbrus - also has a local origin. Consists of several words. "EL" translates as a settlement or nationality, but the "bob" is familiar to Russian-speaking people, meaning to twist, turbulent. The last particle of the word "Us" is translated as a temper, behavior.

Based on the value of the word Elbrus (where is located in which country, we found out), the name is invented, you can understand the nature and properties of this famous volcanoWhich in sun weather reflects the bright brilliance of the sun's rays, in bad weather threatens the trails with a strong buranne with an icy rain twin and snow. Climbers wishing to conquer the top, always remember the danger of such a campaign.

Glaciers of the Mountains of Caucasus

Elbrus was last erupted more than two thousand years ago. Since then, on top is always a very low temperature, which even in summer heat does not rise above 0 degrees. Glaciers, which are covered with a hood with a cap, occupy 134.5 km, which is 10% of all such formations of the Caucasian Mountains. On Elbrus there are only 23 glacier.

The biggest and most famous are big and small Azau, Irik, Cockurs, which occupy the vast territories of valleys and slopes. But there are very picturesque icy hanging from cliffs. It is a boulder of such glaciers as Coguta, Terekol, Garabashi. Especially many eternal ice Located on the northern slope of Elbrus Mount at height after 3850 meters.

Water formed after melting and drops of these ice clusters fills river streams mountain rivers Stavropol, such as Kuban, Malka and Baksan.

Climate on Mountain

Mountain array always has changeable weather. So in Kabardino-Balkaria, Elbrus is distinguished by frequent shift of good warm weather on the bad, with precipitation and winds. This is related mountain reliefwhich forms the circulation of air masses by season.

Summer in Elbrus Cool, with high humidity. More than a week good weather It is not necessary to observe. Maximum, the thermometer showed + 35 degrees at a height of 2 km, even higher, at the mark of 3 km, and less, maximum + 25.

After this mark, the winter weather begins from October. The precipitation falls a lot. The height of the snow cover on average reaches 50-80 cm. The higher to the top, the deeper the snow. More snowproofs are located on the northern side. South snow thick can not boast.

Spring comes to the territory of Elbrus only in early May. The vertex is covered with snow all year round. Beyond their account constantly growing the mass of ice in glaciers.

Winter stretches for a long time, and at an altitude of 3 km the temperature drops to -12 degrees, the lowest temperature fixed at this point was -27 degrees.

Ski resort

The biggest ski resort Elbrus Azau was built in 1969 in the Polyana Azau, which is located at the foot of the majestic mountain. For the convenience of skiers, there are two cableways: the old pendulum with 20-seater cabins and a new gondola, taking up 8 people. Tickets for lifts can be purchased both at once and for all day. Also sell subscriptions for the entire skiing period (from 2 to 8 days). Cost is also different depending on the season. One rise is 550 rubles, descent - 500. The most expensive subscription will cost 12700 for 8 days.

Ski highways

On Elbrus there are 11 trails for skiers of all levels: from newcomers to professionals. Blue tracks are broader and gentle. Red and black are designed for experienced riders, but they gradually go into blue, gentle slopes. The subscription to riding from the mountain will cost 500 to 850 rubles in one day.

Perfectly organized rest for children. For them there is a separate Bougiel lift for 300 meters. An experienced instructor conducts newcomers, often organizes fun competitions and contests. There is a ski school, where the child will be trained to all the intricacies of the right and safe descent.

Infrastructure complexes

On the territory of the complex 38 hotels, cafes, restaurants, bathrooms and saunas, ski equipment rental. There are shops and even the club. You can calculate both in cash and bank cards. Everything is done for the convenience of holidaymakers.

For the conquerors of the vertices there is an interesting complex called "barrels". There, climbers can pass acclimatization, warm up, relax after heavy lift, eat and sleep.

It is located at an altitude of 3750 meters, at the end station of the Charming Road "Garabashi". Each "barrel" is designed for accommodation 6 people. There is everything you need: toiletries, bed, warm blankets.

How to get?

It is better to get to the mountain from Nalchik. There is an airport, so you can fly from different places. Further from the city to Elbrus, you can take a taxi or minibus number 17. Then the terkola also needs to go on a taxi route.

On your car from Rostov-on-Don, it is necessary to go along the M-4 highway, and not to reach Nalchik, turn on the A-158. The coordinates of Elbrus, the description of which is given in the article, on the navigator - 43 ° 18 "56" C, 42 ° 27 "42" in.

Come at any time of the year. Skiing can be both in the middle of summer.

Last week was in Elbrus, on the test of the new Ford Ranger. At the same time they rose on the cable car to the shelter "barrels", located at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level.

Meanwhile, Elbrus himself is considered the highest point of Russia and Europe. He has two vertices (this is an extinct volcano) with a height of 5621 and 5642 meters. For lifting to the top there are three queues cablewaysThen the rise is possible either on foot or on the randa.

2. The cable car begins at Azau station, located at an altitude of 2350 meters above sea level. At night there was a strong shower, as a result, Sel. This Niva was in captivity of the elements, but when we descended down her already dug out and she left.

3. Two lifts work on the first stage. Old pendulum cable car with two cabins with a capacity of 20 people each. And the new cable car of the gondola type with the uncovered cabins (in total 58) with a capacity of 8 people each. They arrive at the Station "Old Friendly" (height of 3000 meters).

4. Next turn of cable cars goes from the Station "Old Fridium" (3000 meters) to the Mir station (3500 meters). Here is exactly the same scheme of movement with two cranks: old (pendulist) and new (gondola type). The cost of excursion lifting on the gondola cable - 600 rubles, on the pendulum - 300.

6. If B. Mineral waters On this day, the temperature was +30 ° C, here, at an altitude of more than 3,500 meters, it became cold.

7. Tourists descend to the cable car.

8. The vertices of Elbrus are tightly closed with clouds. In the foreground, you can see numerous ragners and snowmobiles, which are offered for 1000 rubles to take a little higher. Next, there is a "shelter 11" (height of 4130 meters), where in 1938 the most high-altitude hotel in Russia was built, which burned in 1998.

9. Melting glacier.

10. General form on the shelter "barrels".

11. Disassembled random.

12. Shelute "barrels" consists of 9 six-grade barrel containers, where tourists pass acclimatization before lifting to the top of Elbrus. And even pay attention to how concrete slabs beloved in front of them.

13. Store with beer at an altitude of 3800 meters. That's right, what else to do during the acclimatization period.

14. Because There is no time for acclimatization and climbing to Elbrus, and we fly to Moscow on the same day - go down.

15. Finally, a picture of an excellent high-altitude toilet of the type of a sorter, located at the Mir station (height of 3500 meters above sea level). And yet, I almost forgot to say - it was extremely surprised by the presence of free Wi-Fi-Internet at this height. I will not even write about the number of garbage, and so everything can be seen ...

I do not know how it is more correct to characterize - sclerosis or dejavu? I remember exactly what I wrote about this. But today, all morning spent in the shocking of his computer archive (I must say big and confusing) and I did not find anything. I tried to find on the Internet - it is also useless. Maybe it was in letters that I accidentally deleted with the next cleaning of the company? And maybe I did not write anything, but just wanted to write, repeating this topic to myself many times?

Early in the morning (!), By making the plan for the next "cleaning" of the accumulated pictures, came across a record of a flight trip to Terkol, and there on the phrase "What a mountain is the highest in Europe?" The traditional question on the knowledge of geography for coming to the terkling ... I wrote about it, but not where? I did not find it, I began to look for info in the internet - finally confused.

In short, you need to clearly fix that I remember and add what I found today.

What is the highest mountain in Europe?

Answer: unknown! In some sources, Elbrus in the Caucasus, in others - Mont Blanc (Alps).

The heights of the vertices have a rather clear certainty.

Elbrus. - 5642 m (Western Top) and 5621 (Eastern). Although other sources are conducted in some sources (for example, 5633 - it looks like the average-parent value of two vertices). Mountain is located in Russia. On the edge of the short side ridge, a few km north of the main Caucasian ridge. It is indisputable high vertex Caucasus and Russia.

MONBLAN. There is a discrepancy. In Russian Wikipedia is written - 4808 m.
In the English Wikipedia - 4010, it clarifies that these are the data of the last measurements made in 2002 before that it was believed that its height was 4807 m (I remember that I remember this value from childhood). The top is located in France, the border between France and Italy passes along the Mont Blanc mountain range a little south of the top.

Regarding "yourself", that's what the following says:
Wikipedia:
Mt. ELBRUS (WEST) STANDS AT 5,642 METRES (18,510 FT) AND IT IS THE Highest Mountain in Europe. Mont Blanc Or Monte Bianco (FRENCH AND ITALIAN- "White Mountain") is the Highest mountain in the alps and in western europe.

Three additional boundaries on the map are demonstrated by alternative, mostly non-geographic, limits:
Line A - passes on tops Ural Mountains And, further, on the Ural River
Line B - passes by Kumo-manic depression And, further, by the Azov Sea
Line C - follows the Caucasian Mountain Waterproof

Note! Wikipedia believes that almost the entire Caucasus refers to Europe (the border on ARACS).

So, what happens: an unambiguous answer to the question "is Elbrus in Europe or in Asia" - no. Those. Everyone can choose the one that he soul, referring to the appropriate authoritative source.

But it should be noted here: all sources recognize that there is no scientific substantiation of this or that version of the border between Asia and Europe based on geological or geographical representations (climate, tectonics, etc.). From this point of view, you need to talk about a single mainland Eurasia.

By the way, it is necessary to remind, about the difference between the concepts of "mainland" and "part of the world". The separation on the continent is made on the basis of separation by the aquatic space from other continents, and the part of the world - the concept rather is historical and cultural. So that,from of this point of view North Caucasus (And maybe the entire Caucasus), rather still applies to Europe.

Okay. The geographic border is a controversial concept. But high-speed marks are quite measured values.

As we noted above, there are no special discrepancy about the heights of the vertices. But for some other points of Elbrus there are.

What is the height of the shelter 11? I always believed - at an altitude of 4200 m (in Wikipedia is also written). But in some publications, I found - 4100 (perhaps these typos).

But about the rocks of Pastukhov - a full bitterness. I always believed (in different sources) that their height is 4810 m. It was fundamentally: it was believed that the exit to the rocks could be equated to climbing Mont Blanc (although the conquest of Mont Blanc is an order of magnitude harder).

Wikipedia (and a number of other sources) is written otherwise - 4700 m (and in some places I found even below - 4600 m.)

There is also written that the Saddle of Elbrus is located at an altitude of 5200, although I remember the figure of 5300 m.

Here, perhaps, all.

This given 4 photos: Elbrus from Chief (this is my picture) and from acidifying (below), as well as Mont Blanc - view from France (above) and from Italy.