• AliceAlainEast to ArmeniaTraveler
    These mountains are seriously big
    Mt Tsalgmil, 3992m. We are getting there...The lower range on the south side of the valley, Mt Laila (2d from left) tops at 4007mThe lower range on the south side of the valley, Mt Laila (2d from left) tops at 4007mMt Ushba, 4700m. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOMMt Ushba is huge... and Alice is tinyAn old churchThis Russian-Orthodox cross was deposited in this windowWe didn't manage to get in... but took this by putting the phone through the door slit!A new Georgian churchThe High-Svaneti valley: towers and 4/5000ersSvaneti medieval towers

    BIG Mountains

    June 4, 2024 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After yesterday’s climb through the deep narrow valley, today opens up and we have views over many BIG mountains. Mt Ushba at 4700m is good contender for a Georgian Matterhorn, and in the far distance there are glimpses of some 5000+m peaks. Sadly Mt Elbrus (just over the border in Russia and the biggest at 5642m) is hidden by other mountains. Oh well.

    We are now in the Svaneti region which is a very remote and historically inaccessible part of the Caucasus mountains. It is characterized by small medieval protective towers on the sides of the houses. The area was never tamed by any ruler and was renowned for murderous feuds. It seems peaceful now!    Read more