Georgia - a country of mountains and peaks

• Georgia - a country of mountains and peaks

The long-awaited vacation, and I decided to escape to the mountains. After a brief hesitation chose Kazbegi (Stepantsminda now). You can get there by the Georgian Military Highway. Start of construction of Russian troops Georgian Military Road was due to the signing of the 1783 Treaty of St. George.

Ananuri Fortress 70 kilometers from Tbilisi. It refers to the early feudal era. He served as a defense outpost, blocking the road leading from the Daryal Gorge. Founded XVI-XVIII centuries.

The first stop - the village of Sno. About 8 km from Stepantsminda. A small mountain village at an altitude of 1760 meters above sea level.

the snowy peaks in the distance - Mount Kazbek.

The main objective of the first day - lost among the mountains and peaks place called jute. It is a small village situated among the mountain peaks. Due to heavy snowfall the majority of the inhabitants of the village is carried out in the lower reaches, so if you decide to visit these places, I suggest you go there from May to September. Altitude 2200 m. To get to your destination on foot and hitchhiking.

Jute - about 15-16 km from Stepantsminda.

The top of the background is the Boules - linearly stretched up the hill, characterized by relatively smooth contours of peaks and slopes. Our path lay it there.

From camp to the base of the mountain massif on foot about 2 hours course. Although it seemed that the mountain is much closer - a typical optical illusion in the mountains.

Mountain waterfall. Actually there are a lot of small mountain rivers and springs with chisteishey and vkusneishey water.

If you go through the pass among the vertices of the ridge you can get in Khevsureti - stunningly beautiful region. In late September, early October ridge covered with snow, takchto if you decide on a winter hike stock up on warm clothes.

The small mountain lake, formed by springs.

The battle of light and darkness. Day comes to an end.

The morning started off in the direction of Stepantsminda. A view of the village and Mount Kazbek. The village is situated at an altitude of 1744 m in the upper reaches of the Terek River on the Georgian Military Highway, 11 kilometers south of the border with Russia. The main attraction - the church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti.

Our way lay down the Daryal Gorge to the village Tzdo. Small but picturesque and very beautiful place. The local population - about 25 people.

Daryal Gorge - Over 3 km of Tergi climb rocks up to 1000 m Georgian Military road runs through the gorge known to ancient geographers as the "Gateway to the Caucasus.". It is sung in the works of Alexander Pushkin ( "Journey to Erzerum during the campaign in 1829"), and Lermontov ( "Demon", 1837; "Tamara", 1841).

Wherever you look - everywhere mountains!

Selo Tzdo.

He lives here only 20-25 people.

The next morning - the peak of Mount Kazbek. Height - 5047 m.

Morning on the plateau near the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti.

Trinity Church in Gergeti is located at an altitude of 2170 m at the foot of Mount Kazbek, directly above the village Stepantsminda. Built in the XIV century. The shrine is the only cross-domed church in Heavy ... In Soviet times the church was closed. Now returned to the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Beside the temple is preserved medieval bell tower.

Looking at eagles flying almost over his head, involuntarily recalled a verse of Pushkin:

Eagle rising from the distant peaks, Soars still with me on an equal basis.

Beauty!