Восхождение на Белалакаю | Домбай

In August 2024 Alexei and I successfully summited Belalakaya (3 861 m), the symbol of Dombyay, famously nicknamed the Russian Matterhorn. We followed route 3A, descended via cleaved crampons, and although we carried two 50‑m ropes, a single rod sufficed. The ridge was long, we advanced slowly, and ultimately reached the peak after midnight. We spent a cold night at roughly 100 m below the summit, sheltered by rescue blankets, while the weather remained unexpectedly warm. The area felt great, save for a few bureaucratic hiccups, and we’re eager to return.