Dykh-Tau

The second one in Top 7 Highest Mountains in Russia that Toplist would like to introduce to you is Dykh-Tau. Dykh-Tau, also known as Dykhtau, is a mountain in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, with a peak about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of the border with Georgia. Dykh-Tau is the second highest mountain in Europe and the second highest mountain in the Caucasus Mountains, after Mount Elbrus.

The best way to get to Dykh-Tau is from the north (Russia). Bezingi village is accessible by public transportation from Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria, but a 4WD vehicle is required. Thus, at 2,180 meters, the Bezingi Alpine Camp is reached (7,150 ft). It takes another two days to get to the base of the climb from here.

This is one of the great Caucasian peaks, looking across the Bezingi Glacier at the magnificent Bezingi Wall. Albert Mummery and Heinrich Zurfluh of Meiringen made the first ascent in 1888, which was a significant achievement at the time. Their route up the SW Ridge is no longer used as the standard route, which is now the graded 4B North Ridge (Russian Grading).

Starting from Misses Kosh, the ridge is reached by crossing the Misses-Tau West Ridge and continuing to the Russian Bivouac, which is reached by a hanging glacier descending from the North Ridge of Dykhtau, 4 hours from Misses-Kosh. The North Ridge leads to the summit after passing through a notch between Misses-Tau and Dykhtau. Allow two and a half days from the Russian Bivouac; the North Ridge has several good bivouac sites.

Location: Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia

Elevation: 5,205 m (17,077 ft)