Journey to the mountains. Dombai is a resort in Karachaevo-Cherkessia. Description, features, photo

Dombai is a mountain resort area of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic of the Russian Federation. It is located near the border with Georgia.

Briefly about the main

Dombai is not an administrative unit or a mountain system, it is a natural place that has no clear boundaries. This word refers to the northern slope of the Caucasian mountain range, consisting of three gorges: Amanuz, Alibek and Dombai-Ulgen. Together they create a unique landscape - the Dombai Valley. It is located at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. Earlier, Dombai was called the headwaters of the Teberda River.

Dombay Valley is a secluded place, lost among the mountains. 65 km to the south-west of it is the Black Sea, and 70 km to the east is the highest point of Russia - Elbrus (Caucasus Mountains).

Dombay has an unusually beautiful landscape. This magnificence is represented by mountains and a large valley. This area is actively used as a ski resort. Dombai is a tourist and climbing center of the Greater Caucasus, a popular place for sports and recreation.

Features of climate

The climate is continental type. During the year there are many sunny days, and the air is saturated with light ions, which have a beneficial effect on the human body. Treatment with climatotherapy at Dombai can be carried out year-round. Winter here is long, lasts from November to April. Frozen temperatures are frequent, but low. The average winter figure is -5 ° ... -7 ° С. Most of the precipitation falls in this season in the form of heavy snowfall, thanks to which the local mountains are covered. Dombai is a territory where the snow cover lasts all winter and reaches 3 meters. Summer lasts three months, but the weather is always cool. The warmest days can be found only in July. As a rule, at this time the air warms up to + 20 ... + 25 ° С. The average annual precipitation is from 1,000 to 1,600 mm.

Uniqueness of local places

In addition to a favorable climate, there are many healing springs on the territory of Dombai. The water in them refers to the hydrocarbonate chloride and sodium-calcium type. It is quickly absorbed by the walls of the stomach and intestines and normalizes metabolic processes.

Verticals of Dombai

The highest peaks are always covered with snow. The highest point is the town of Dombay-Ulgen with a height of more than 4000 m.

Other peaks surrounding the Dombai valley are no less majestic:

• Peak Ine in form resembles a sharp pyramid.
• The souffruzhu is composed of black rocks and stands out considerably against the background of other mountains.
• Sulahat is an elongated peak.
• Belal-Kaya (Striped) - a mountain with a very original appearance, is intersected by layers of white quartz.

Inland waters

On the tops of the mountains are perennial glaciers. The most learned is Alibek. He descends to the borders of the forest and has long been mastered by climbers. From the summits and glaciers many streams and waterfalls descend into the Dombai Valley. Majestic jets of water envelop the slopes of the mountain. Dombai is rich in natural attractions. The waterfall, flowing from the Alibek glacier, is considered one of the main ones.

In the valleys between the mountain slopes there are numerous glacial lakes. The water in them is surprisingly transparent, but quite cold. The largest reservoirs: the Baduk, Murugin, Tumanyl-Gel, Klukhor.

Neighborhood

The natural zonality is seen here with a change in altitude. At each level, different vegetation can be observed. At the foot of the mountains and at altitudes up to 600-800 m, the natural zone is represented by thick beech, and then coniferous forests. Above are the alpine meadows, affecting a large number of plant species.

Dombai is a resort that does not lose its popularity throughout the year. Both in winter and in summer it is beautiful and interesting in its own way.

Dombai in winter

First of all in the winter the resort attracts all fans and professionals of mountain skiing. The season starts in November and lasts until the end of March. The mild climate of the region attracts more than 200 thousand people every year.

The ski slopes are modern, accepting both amateurs and beginners, and professionals. The most favorable slope for skiing is the Mussa-Achitara ridge (Dombai). The height of the mountains allows you to equip the routes of varying complexity. As a rule, they start with a mark of 1,800, and a maximum figure of 3,200 m. The length of the ski slope is about 20 km, the complexity is represented by several categories. There is an opportunity to try such kinds of extreme sports as freeride (descent not along equipped routes), heli-ski (disembarkation of skiers from the helicopter). Snowboarding competitions are held annually.

Summer in Dombai

Dombai is one of the very first centers of Soviet mountaineering. In summer, lovers of active sports come here. They are climbers, climbers, representatives of cycling and hiking, as well as those who prefer hiking. In total 12 pedestrian routes of different categories of complexity are laid, thanks to which it is possible to conquer the local mountains.

Dombai also awaits lovers of passive recreation. They will not be bored here. In this special territory everyone can find entertainment for themselves. Water in the lakes warms up to +20 ° C, there are equipped beaches. Mountain and coniferous air has a beneficial effect on the body. Excursions are conducted around the neighborhood.