Acclimatization Bezengi A

The AlexClimb Russia climbing schedule (Classics of Bezengi 2021):

Educational (acclimatization) program "Classics of Bezengi, variant B" with MCS AlexClimb and Bezengi Guides

Program "Classics of Bezengi" is available on the reservation at least 90 day prior the trip - special permission needed for entering the border area.

Day 1  - arrival to Nalchik, transfer to the "Bezengi" Base Camp, accommodation in comfortable double rooms with facilities. Dinner
Day 2  - getting used to the schedule of the camp - an early wake up at 7:30 am, breakfast. Introduction training, selection of equipment, walking uphill for 3-4 hours to access to the iceclimbing training spot - ice slopes of Mizhirgi glacier. Altitude gain from the Camp to the iceclimbing spot is at least 800 m, which takes an average of 3-4 hours of intensive walk. During this day you will have to carry a backpack with equipment of about 10 kg weight. Training on the ice involves getting the basic skills of iceclimbing, techniques of the moving on the steep or vertical ice, using ice tools and crampons, getting acquainted with the basic safety equipment. Return to the Base Camp in the evening, dinner, exchanging impressions of that fist active day of the Program.
Day 3 - Breakfast, packing the gear and going out for the rockclimbing training - this day is physically more easy than the previous and is divided into two blocks - before and after lunch (lunch in the Base Camp as it is only 20 min walk). Walk on the rocks is not far nor hard - that is just relaxed 20 minute walk from the camp there is a equipped rockclimbing sector in which it is possible to find routes to suit any tastes. On this day you will learn the peculiarities of rockclimbing on the alpine granite, how to organize belaying and use the belay equipment on the rock alpine terrain. In the evening - revision of the equipment for the next day - this time, we plan overnight stay outdoors in the mountains.
Day 4  - After breakfast, we put on our backpacks and go to the place where we will spend the following night - at the foot of our first mountain - Semenovsky Peak (4050 m). From the Base Camp it is 900 meters altitude gain by normal trail, crossing the Bezengi glacier. Camping for the overnight at the Austrian bivouac camping site. This camping site is characterized by the abundance of wild mountain goats, from which sometimes you have literally to defend the tent...
Day 5  - Start climbing very early - 4 am, before the sunrise. Climbing this mountain is not technically difficult, from the equipment are used only helmets and ski poles and classical ice axe. We don't use the ropes in the late summer season as there are no ice or dangerous parts on the route where protection would be required. Descent to the camping site and overnight in the tents or, moving another camping site - Barankosh bivouac from where one more ascent to Mount Kel is possible on the next morning.
Day 6  - Early wake up and if feeling good and motivated - trekking ascent to Mount Kel. Descent, short rest at the camping site and return to the "Bezengi" Base Camp. Dinner and overnight in the Bezengi Base Camp.
Day 7 - Breakfast at the "Bezengi" Base Camp, departure to Nalchik.

Program Schedule

The AlexClimb Russia climbing schedule (Classics of Bezengi 2021):

Educational (acclimatization) program "Classics of Bezengi, variant B" with MCS AlexClimb and Bezengi Guides

Program "Classics of Bezengi" is available on the reservation at least 90 day prior the trip - special permission needed for entering the border area.

Day 1  - arrival to Nalchik, transfer to the "Bezengi" Base Camp, accommodation in comfortable double rooms with facilities. Dinner
Day 2  - getting used to the schedule of the camp - an early wake up at 7:30 am, breakfast. Introduction training, selection of equipment, walking uphill for 3-4 hours to access to the iceclimbing training spot - ice slopes of Mizhirgi glacier. Altitude gain from the Camp to the iceclimbing spot is at least 800 m, which takes an average of 3-4 hours of intensive walk. During this day you will have to carry a backpack with equipment of about 10 kg weight. Training on the ice involves getting the basic skills of iceclimbing, techniques of the moving on the steep or vertical ice, using ice tools and crampons, getting acquainted with the basic safety equipment. Return to the Base Camp in the evening, dinner, exchanging impressions of that fist active day of the Program.
Day 3 - Breakfast, packing the gear and going out for the rockclimbing training - this day is physically more easy than the previous and is divided into two blocks - before and after lunch (lunch in the Base Camp as it is only 20 min walk). Walk on the rocks is not far nor hard - that is just relaxed 20 minute walk from the camp there is a equipped rockclimbing sector in which it is possible to find routes to suit any tastes. On this day you will learn the peculiarities of rockclimbing on the alpine granite, how to organize belaying and use the belay equipment on the rock alpine terrain. In the evening - revision of the equipment for the next day - this time, we plan overnight stay outdoors in the mountains.
Day 4  - After breakfast, we put on our backpacks and go to the place where we will spend the following night - at the foot of our first mountain - Semenovsky Peak (4050 m). From the Base Camp it is 900 meters altitude gain by normal trail, crossing the Bezengi glacier. Camping for the overnight at the Austrian bivouac camping site. This camping site is characterized by the abundance of wild mountain goats, from which sometimes you have literally to defend the tent...
Day 5  - Start climbing very early - 4 am, before the sunrise. Climbing this mountain is not technically difficult, from the equipment are used only helmets and ski poles and classical ice axe. We don't use the ropes in the late summer season as there are no ice or dangerous parts on the route where protection would be required. Descent to the camping site and overnight in the tents or, moving another camping site - Barankosh bivouac from where one more ascent to Mount Kel is possible on the next morning.
Day 6  - Early wake up and if feeling good and motivated - trekking ascent to Mount Kel. Descent, short rest at the camping site and return to the "Bezengi" Base Camp. Dinner and overnight in the Bezengi Base Camp.
Day 7 - Breakfast at the "Bezengi" Base Camp, departure to Nalchik.

Prices and conditions

The price of the program "Bezengi Classics 1" acclimatization, season 2021:

550 Euro * - standard group 5-12 participants
900 Euro * - mini group 3-4 participants
1270 Euro * - individual program 1-2 participants
* Price per participant

You have to be ready for: 

• 2-3 days of camping life in the field conditions;
• Cooking your meals by yourself while climbing mountains;
• Carrying a 15-20 kg backpack;
• Air temperature can be down to -20°C on the altitude higher than 3000 m;

Conditions: minimum 3 participants, the passing of the  Brief AlexClimb course of mountain technique is recommended before the trip.
The price includes: Professional mountain guide services, rent of the communal equipment (ropes, belaying and navigation equipment, cooking gear), hotel accommodation, transfers from the point of the beginning of the program to its end (Nalchik), using the communal basic medical kit, local registering and climbing permits, food for outdoor part of the program.
The cost does not include: Russian visa charges*, International and domestic flight expenses** to and from the point of the beginning of the program (Nalchik), one day in Moscow if you have long transfer***, obligatory climbing insurance, rent of the personal equipment, food and drinks while being in cities, using the satellite phone.
Group capacity: 12
Guides: 2

*AlexClimb Mountain Climbing School can provide Russian Visa support for you. More information on request.
**AlexClimb Mountain Climbing School can book the flights for you.
***AlexClimb Mountain Climbing School can book hotel for you in Moscow and organize, transfers sightseeing and recreations according to your preferences - basic Moscow package cost is 270 Euro wich inclides pick up and drop off in the airport and one night in the Hotel 3*.

Detailed conditions and limitations on the program "Russia. Classics of Bezengi" can be read in the Offer section