Shkhara

The Shkhara

The Shkhara (Georgian შხარა, Russian Шхара ) applies with 5200 meters the highest mountain in Georgia and the third highest mountain of the Greater Caucasus. It is located on the main Caucasus ridge, which forms the border between Georgia and Russia.

The altitude varies from source to source between 5158, 5200 or 5201 m. Occasionally, 5057 or 5068 m are given, but refer to a west upstream side peak. This is how the 4500 m high South East summit on the main ridge. From the west summit branches off a side ridge on which the Shkhara - South summit ( 4350 m) and other mountains are.

The mountain dominates the eastern final little striking the imposing and alpinistically significant Besingi wall that usually runs about 12 km in the west-east direction, above the 5000 - m limit. To the north is the Besingi Glacier, in the southwest entfließt the Shkhara glacier of Enguri, on which is 8 km down the oberswanetische village community Uschguli is.

The Shkhara was first climbed in 1888 by John Garford cockin, Ulrich Almer and C. Roth on the northeast ridge. His ascent from every side logistically difficult and expensive.