We use the small mountain village of Stepantsminda, only 12 kilometres from the Russian border, as the base for some hikes in the imposing Caucasus Mountains. On the day we arrive, the peak of Kazbek (5,054 m), the third highest mountain in Georgia and the eighth highest in the Caucasus, is hidden in the clouds, as it usually is. The following morning, we set off together on our hike up the mountain, passing the Gergeti Trinity Church along the way. This important place of pilgrimage boasts fantastic scenery, with a great view of Stepantsminda on one side and the imposing backdrop of Kazbegi on the other, so it’s easy to see why.
The three of us continue together a little further until we reach a point where we have an awe-inspiring view of the mountain above us and the steep Darial Canyon below. This is where we had planned to split up because I wanted to go much higher, but it would have been too much for Apollo in the heat. While Svenja heads back to the camper with him, I carry on, edging ever closer to Kazbegi. I reach my destination for the day, the Altihut at 3,014 m, in the early afternoon (see the full trail here). I spend a few quiet hours here, chatting to the other hikers (some of whom are planning to attempt the hike to the top of the mountain over the next few days), reading, and just looking up at the ever-changing mountain as evening approaches.
The next morning, I continue climbing for a few hundred metres to reach the highest point possible without needing special equipment to cross the glacier (see the full trail here). En route, I pass an amazing waterfall at the foot of the glacier. Having reached an altitude of 3,300 metres (my new record), I turn around and hike all the way back past the waterfall, the hut, the church and back to the camper, where Svenja and an excited Apollo were waiting for me.
But enough talk — the beauty of this majestic mountain must be experienced first-hand, or at least viewed through the lens of my camera.