Ushba

Ushba (Georgian: უშბა) is one of the most notable peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. It is located in the Svaneti region of Georgia, just south of the border with the Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia. Although it does not rank in the 10 highest peaks of the range, Ushba is known as the "Matterhorn of the Caucasus" for its picturesque, spire-shaped double summit. Due to its steep profile and unstable weather, Ushba is considered by many climbers as the most difficult ascent in the Caucasus.

Ushba
Ushba
Highest point
Elevation4,710 m (15,450 ft)
Prominence1,217 m (3,993 ft) 
Coordinates43.12486°N 42.65901°E / 43.12486; 42.65901 
Geography
Ushba
Location of the mountain
Ushba
Ushba (Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti)
LocationSvaneti region, Georgia
Country Georgia
Parent rangeGreater Caucasus Mountains
Climbing
First ascent1903 by expedition led by B. Rickmer-Rickmers[1]
Easiest routeNortheast Ridge (to North Summit) (AD+/Russian 4a)

Geography

Ushba's south summit is slightly higher than its north summit, which has an elevation of 4,690 m (15,387 ft). The north summit was first climbed in 1888 by John Garford Cokklin and Ulrich Almer, while the south summit saw its first ascent in 1903 by a German-Swiss-Austrian expedition led by B. Rickmer-Rickmers.[1]

Ushba's north summit is more accessible than the south summit: the standard route, the Northeast Ridge, ascends from the Russian side of the range to a high plateau and thence to the summit. (Hence a summit ascent on this route technically involves crossing the border.) The route is graded French AD+ or Russian 4a. Routes on the south summit, from the Georgian side, include two routes graded French ED.[1]

Soviet era

Prior to the discovery in the late 1980s of the 4810m Peak 4810 in Karavshin, Ushba, together with Chatyn-Tau and Free Korea Peak in Kyrgyzstan, were considered some of the most difficult and prestigious peaks to climb in the former Soviet Union.[2]

Recent history

In August 2012, thunderstorms made the ascent of Ushba treacherous. One climber died and another, Andranik Miribyan, was stuck near the summit for four days after becoming trapped on a ledge by heavy snowfall. Due to high winds, rescuers were unable to reach him by helicopter and Andranik made the decision to descend the mountain, despite having no ice axe after his broke while clearing snow.[3]

Russian tourists Victoria Bushuyeva, 30, and Andrey Sidorov, 36, went missing on Ushba in September, 2013.[4]

In Georgian mythology, Ushba was thought to be the home of the hunting goddess Dali.

The Russian folk-rock band Melnitsa has a song "Ushba" on their fourth album. It is dedicated to the Georgian climber, a friend of one of them, who died on this mountain.[5]

Bibliography

References
  1. Ushba on Summitpost: in depth article with photos
  2. http://www.stolby.ru/Mat/Stolbist/29/10-11.asp
  3. "Ushba: The Irresistible Climb". www.LetsBeWild.com. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  4. https://lenta.ru/news/2013/09/10/lost
  5. "Melnitsa - Ushba (the text and author's comments)".
  6. The climbing history up to 1939 of Ushba, Snowdon, Ben Nevis, Mount Logan, Everest, Nanga Parbat, Kanchenjunga, the Matterhorn, Mount Cook and Mont Blanc.
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