High Mountain Adventures From the Bethlemi Hut

3 huge peaks in the heart of the wild Georgian mountains!

Charlie Boscoe

Images

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Maili Khokh (4600 m). The ridge is the ascent route

by Peter Schön

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Andi Riesner near the summit of Maili Khokh. Mkinvartveri/Kazbek (5054 m) in the background.

by Peter Schön

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The author near on Spartak, looking towards Maili Khokh

by Andreas Riesner

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Maili Khokh from the col.

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The route over Spartak and Maili as seen from the summit of Mkinvartsveri.

by Peter Schön

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Skiing down from Spartak

by Peter Schön

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View to Spartak and Maili in the summer

by Peter Schön

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Ascending the SE face. Climber: Andi Riesner. May 2018.

by Peter Schön

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Altihut and Mkinvartsveri with its SE face. February 2019

by Peter Schön

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Peter Schön climbing the SE face, prior to the first ski descent of the route. May 2008

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Peter Schön skiing the SE face direct. May 2018.

by Andreas Riesner

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Mkinvartsveri (5054 m), February 2019. The SE face is the prominent line down from the summit.

by Peter Schön

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Mkivartsveri (5054 m), as seen from Stepantsminda. The SE Face is the prominent snow line on the left side.

by Peter Schön

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"Meteo" station.

by Peter Schön

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The routes, seen from Bethlemi Hut. 1 = NE Face; 2 = Normal route (descent)

by Peter Schön

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Ortsveri NE face as seen from high on Mkinvartsveri

by Peter Schön

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Traversing from the summit back to Kupol

by Peter Schön

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Ortsveri as seen from high on Mkinvartsveri

by Peter Schön

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Andi Riesner on the NE face of Ortsveri

by Peter Schön

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Andi Riesner during the first recorded ski descent of the NE face of Ortsveri

by Peter Schön

Description

At over 3600 metres, the Bethlemi Hut is deep in the Caucasus mountains, just to the north of the legendary Gudauri ski area. Gudauri itself is home to some epic mountain terrain (as evidenced here https://fatmap.com/guidebooks/32914/the-best-of-georgia-:-gudauri's-finest-ski-tours/@42.4902769,44.4115510,26855.6330866,-89.9999999,0,2715.7940490,normal) but things get even wilder as you head north and make the long trip into this hut.

Once there we've described the routes to 3 summits, 2 of which are ascended on skis and 1 of which is an adventurous alpine climb. By heading into the Bethlemi Hut in April or May, and with a bit of luck with weather and conditions, it should be possible to do all 3 trips over the course of a few days.

Of the 2 ski trips, there's no doubt that "Mkinvartsveri/Kazbek (5054 m) SE Face" is the tougher tick - it's higher, steeper and would be considered a serious challenge even in a much more developed ski destination. The other ski line - "Maili Khokh (4600 m), via Spartak (4517 m)" is technically easier but is still incredibly remote and will require you possess a full mountain skillset in order to move in complete autonomy through a truly wild place.

The final route described here - "Ortveri (4365 m) NE Face" - is a brilliant little adventure, and is a good acclimatisation route for the 2 tours listed above. Elite skiers may choose to ski down the route, but conditions would need to be perfect, as would your skiing technique...!

If you're aiming to do all of these routes in one go then head into the Bethlemi Hut with a week's worth of food and enjoy 3 huge mountain adventures, and some well-earned rest days savouring the solitude.

Adventures

Ortveri (4365 m) NE Face

A short and sporty Alps-style north face in the vicinity of the Behtlemi Hut which is also great as steep skiing line