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THE OPEN CAUCASUS
The
latest step of the project - Shkhelda in March, 2002
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Now that the words "Caucasus" and "war"
became synonyms for many
people, there comes the haunting desire to separate them and
show
this wonderful world as mountaineers see it, not the media.
During my 18 years of climbing I have often been to Caucasus,
and
each visit created indelible, ever new impressions. After
many
ascents in the Pamirs, Tien Shan, Alps, Norway, Himalayas
and
Karakoram one gets in a position to compare and analyze and
that is
the basis of the project. I want the Caucasus to be open,
available
to everyone on the Earth.
Yuri Koshelenko,
the head of the project
Photo by Ludmila Koshelenko
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Aims and tasks
To
call the attention of climbers and mountain lovers all over the
world to the Caucasus, thus instigating the wave of a positive interest
in the region.
To
update the existing information on the route conditions of different
areas of the Greater Caucasus, taking into account the seasonal
changes and climatic dynamics.
Means:
-
To do in the Caucasus in 2001-2003 a series of extreme climbs
in a rope of two or solo with the photo and video material published
in the media and Internet after or, quite likely, during the climbs
themselves. Joint ascents of Caucasus walls with climbers from
different countries.
- The
level of carrying out
- Making
new routes on the known Caucasus walls and doing them in a good
sports style.
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Making detailed maps and descriptions of the region with a lot
of photos.
- Producing
a book about the Caucasus with a big historical part. Making videos
about each stage of the project. Carrying out press-conferences.
To
boost the project, it is going to be announced and presented as
a traditional thing in the climbing world - a "challenge". Within
the latter certain climbing objects for the coming year plus the
climbing style will be suggested.
Several climbs of new routes of grades 4A-5A to train the younger
generation will be on the schedule.
Members
Yuri Koshelenko - head
of the project
Viktor
Bobok - member, a new route in party with Yuri on Shkhelda (North
Face of Second West Tower)
Schedule
- Reconnaissance in Dombay area
- Shkhelda, ascent in memory of Alex Lowe
- Volnaya Ispaniya and Ullu-Kara peaks (probably between Kharinyak
and Nagorny)
- Shkhelda again
- Mt. Fisht
- On the north-west wall of Yerydag there appeared a new route
called "Northern Edge" (1200 m., VI, 5.10, A2+).
Contact
address: Yuri Koshelenko
Translated
by Yuri Kolomiets Yuri Koshelenko
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PROJECTS
