Successful ascent to the top is an opportunity to rise above the clouds, look at the Earth from a bird's eye view, and feel the taste of victory. The mountains beckon for thrill seekers, adventure seekers and hikers. Thousands of climbers rush to the snow-capped peaks every year. Those wishing to visit Everest at an altitude of more than 7000 m line up. Under a heavy wind, in the cold, on a narrow path, they wait for several hours for the opportunity to reach their cherished goal. To climb an eight-thousander, you need to practice on small peaks.
How to climb the mountains safely and successfully
The Mountaineering Federation has developed several requirements for those wishing to conquer the heights:
Inform the Mountaineering Federation about the upcoming mountain ascent.
Report the group's data, route and time of the expedition to the search and rescue unit of the Russian Emergencies Ministry.
All participants of the event must comply with the qualifications of the planned hikes, undergo training, draw up route documentation, obtain a doctor's opinion, and purchase an insurance policy with helicopter evacuation coverage.
The expedition is allowed only as part of a group of two or more athletes.
The Russian Mountaineering Federation subdivides all peaks by difficulty level from 1 to 6.
Additionally, routes can be marked with letters indicating special conditions. The best time to travel is summer. At this time, there is less precipitation, fog, lower wind speed, higher air temperature. When planning a hike, inexperienced hikers should choose a gentler slope and an easier path.
To climb the mountains, enthusiasm alone is not enough. You need good physical fitness, excellent health, special equipment, purchase of a license and insurance, group organization, search for an instructor and guide, competent route planning.
Basic rules for climbing uphill
To climb the mountain, you need to prepare physically. People who are in good shape and regularly work out in the gym begin to exercise 3 months before the hike. Others may take longer. It is worth paying attention to endurance, to develop the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Recommended sports: running, swimming, cardio, cycling. During physical activity, the pulse should be monitored. You need to rest a week before starting the route.
You cannot begin to rise without motivation, the appropriate attitude. In a few months, you need to get used to the idea of a campaign, set yourself the goal of winning at all costs.
To conquer the top of the mountain, acclimatization is required. Climbers actively use the sawtooth method. It consists in performing day ascents to the height and in the evening descents to the camp for the night. Every day the altitude increases and the body gradually gets used to the low pressure and rarefied air of the mountains, the likelihood of the occurrence of altitude sickness decreases.
Travelers who climb the mountains need the right equipment for a quick and successful climb. Novice climbers can rent it. The exact list of everything you need to check with the instructor before the hike, so as not to collect unnecessary items that increase the weight of the backpack. The number of personal belongings is reduced to a minimum. Depending on the complexity of the route, you must have with you:
- Trekking poles, crampons and ice axes
- Carabiners and harnesses with belay mustache
- Avalanche equipment
- Tent
- Burner, pot, thermos
- Sleeping bag
- Lantern,
- Two sets of thermal underwear
- Waterproof pants and jacket, down jacket
- Socks, gloves, hat, bandanna
- Trekking and climbing boots
- Sunglasses
- First aid kit and sun cream
Тhe full list of necessary equipment should be checked with the instructor before the hike, so as not to collect unnecessary things that increase the weight of the backpack.
Optimal climbing for beginners in Russia
Ai-Petri
The first ascent to the mountains for beginners should begin with a test of their own strength. To test your capabilities, you should choose small heights. The best option is to go hiking in traditional tourist spots. For example, you can walk along the footpath to the Crimean Ai-Petri (1233 m) and Atbash (1196 m). The difficulty of such a route is 2 points out of 5. Travelers can enjoy beautiful views, sit by the fire, spend several nights in tents. On the way, you will meet waterfalls, mountain rivers, steep cliffs, the picturesque Devil's Staircase, the historical Foros Church. The dizzying via ferrata to Mount Ilyas-Kaya will tickle the nerves of travelers. The reward will be a view of the natural wonder - the Temple of the Sun, reminiscent of the English Stonehenge. During the tour, you will be able to go down to the sea and go kayaking, visit the sea caves and caves.
An excellent first mountain for climbing is the Shumak Pass (2760 m) on Lake Baikal. Difficulty level 3 out of 5 The hiking trail along the Eastern Sayan Mountains will take tourists past the crumbling Marble waterfalls, healing mineral springs, high rocks of the Sacred Pillars.
Gorely volcano
If walks inspired new achievements, then for the next ascent to the mountains, it is worth considering a trip to Kamchatka to the craters of the Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes. The difficulty of the route is estimated at 2 points out of 5. Even schoolchildren can be taken on such a hike. On the route, tourists will find breathtaking landscapes, wonders of untouched nature, overnight stays in a tent, fascinating legends told by the group's guide. On the way, tourists will see glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and a natural pool, look into the crater of the volcano, raft down the Bystraya river, go fishing, go out to the ocean and sail along it on a boat.
The thrill for adventure hasn't evaporated? Then you should start climbing the mountain "a class higher". This is the Kamchatka volcano Plosky Tolbachik with a height of 3140 meters. It is available for visiting during periods of dormancy, which can last for several years. The best time for a hike is summer and early autumn. Before starting, it is recommended to find out what the seismic situation in the area is. A pleasant bonus is the opportunity to see the 2012 fissure eruption and the Dead Forest, walk along the rift inside the volcano, take part in a boat trip along Avacha Bay, and go fishing.
Volcano Plosky Tolbachik
For hikers with little hiking experience and good physical fitness, climbing the mountains for beginners can begin on the Caucasian Elbrus (5642 m). There are routes of varying degrees of difficulty. Some of them are also suitable for tourists taking their first steps up. With a trained group and a professional instructor, success is assured. Tourists will see a meadow of Stone mushrooms, Lenz rocks, glaciers, snow-capped peaks. Novice climbers will learn how to carry crampons and ice axes, walk in a bundle.
Altai Mount Belukha is another popular route for the first hike. Consists of two peaks - Western (4440 m) and Eastern Belukha (4506 m). It attracts tourists with a variety of routes of any complexity, stunning landscapes that inspired the great Roerich, and rich nature. Travelers will see huge glaciers with a total area of 70 square meters. km, picturesque channels of the Katun, Kucherla, Ak-Oyuk, Ak-Kem rivers, clean high-mountainous lakes, passes and gorges, an Old Believer village founded 300 years ago.
The unique nature of Russia provides rich travel opportunities. It is easy to find interesting hiking trails in any mountainous region of the country. Ural, Altai, Caucasus, Crimea, Kamchatka, Altai, Sayan or Khibiny await adventure and romance lovers. They are ready to give new impressions and unforgettable memories, send them on easy walks or prepare for serious mountaineering.
Who to hike with
Simple and successful mountain climbing for beginners in Russia is organized by tourist and mountaineering clubs, leading tour operators. The hikes are accompanied by experienced instructors, in accordance with the safety rules.
Professionals will offer low and proven mountains for beginners to climb. There are hiking options that even children or people with average physical fitness can handle. On such routes, there are many impressions and pleasure, and the likelihood of accidents is minimized. Adventure lovers receive only a burst of energy and a positive charge.
A short and easy climb to the mountains is always exciting. Such an adventure will be remembered for a long time and can be the beginning of serious mountaineering or just a pleasant hobby and a way to spend an interesting vacation.
