Overview
Trapezia is a beautiful mountain in the Western Caucasus( ~ 25 km West from Elbrus), soaring high above the Uzun-Kol gorge in Gvandra region of the Wesrern Caucasus. Trapezia is part of so the so called Kichkeni-Kol Podkova (podkova means horse shoe in Russian). Podkova is a beautiful mountain cirque (called Podkova for it's shape) with 6 peaks in it. They are: Filtr, Zamok, Dvoyniashka, Dalar, Chokolad and Trapezia herself.
Getting There
From Moscow to Cherkesk by train. From Cherkesk to Karachaevsk by bus (2 hours) and then to aul Hurzuk (aul -village in Karachai language).
From Hurzuk the road(10km) goes along Ullu-kam river (one of the sources of Kuban river) and then enters Uzun-Kol gorge (10 km walk to the climbing camp). Much of the information about state of routes, directions and etc. can be found there.
Red Tape
With recent events in the Caucasus this area became less visited. However there is a climbing camp that still operating. Crossing into the Georgia side is absolutely not recommended and can be even fatal. Also this area considered Russian-Georgian border territory and you have to obtain pass and other papers( through Uzun-Kol Climbing Camp or agency). Situation is changing constantly.
When To Climb
In June-July there are much snow that make climbing easier. However in August and even more in September snow is hard and there are spots of ice on the route.
Camping
Camping allowed everywhere. For more information go to the page dedicated to Kirpich.
Images
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