7.4 km away
Mkinvartsveri / Kazbek (5054 m) SE Face
One of the most beautiful steep skiing lines in the Caucasus
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 3 km
- Descent
- 3 km
A long, serious and high alpine ski tour in the High Caucasus
Ski Touring Difficult
Maili Khokh is a rarely visit summit, standing in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Mkinvartsveri/Kazbek (5054 m). Those willing to draw their attention to Maili, will be rewarded with a challenging, rewarding high alpine ski tour in glaciated terrain. I once heard the name "Road of Dreams" for this route. While I could not find a reference for this, I still think it is a valid description. The tour starts at the Bethlemi Hut (3650 m). Follow the standard route to Mkinvartsveri, staying on the right (NE) side moraines of the glacier. At around 4050 - 4100 m you are reaching glaciated terrain. Roping up is recommended - there are crevasses!
At 4400 - 4450 m you are reaching the Kazbek plateau, a wide and flat glacier area. Here you diverge left from the standard route to Mkinvartsveri. Ascend to the summit of Spartak (4517 m) and then descend into the col between Spartak and Maili (4380 m). The final ascent to Maili is not hard, but the summit is exposed - the drop to the left is massive! Stay well-away from the cornices on the right (north aspect). Still, it is one of the more beautiful ridge climbs in the Georgian Caucasus, with tremendous views.
Descend the same way. You can avoid the summit of Spartak on the way back, by staying right of the summit. It saves you a few meters, but I prefer to go back over Spartak, as it sets me up for a better ski descent.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Difficult
Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.
7.4 km away
One of the most beautiful steep skiing lines in the Caucasus
Extreme Ski Touring
3 routes · Alpine Climbing · Ski Touring