Koshtan-Tau Mountain
Prominent Caucasus peak notable for technical climbs
Koshtan-Tau rises in the central Greater Caucasus within Kabardino-Balkaria as a high alpine peak. Mountaineers come for technical routes, glaciated slopes and long approaches from valley bases.
Koshtan-Tau at a Glance#
About Koshtan-Tau#
Koshtan-Tau is a high peak in the central Greater Caucasus in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria region, with an elevation of approximately 5,152 metres. It is one of the region’s glaciated five-thousand-metre peaks.
The mountain features steep, glaciated slopes and is principally of interest to experienced alpinists; routes involve glacier travel and technical sections. It forms part of the high, rugged backbone of the central Caucasus range.
Koshtan-Tau lies within the mountainous interior of Kabardino-Balkaria in the North Caucasus.
- Elevation: Elevation approximately 5,152 metres, making it one of the Caucasus “five-thousanders.”
- Climbing: Glaciated and technical in places - ascents require mountaineering skills and glacier travel experience.
Tips for Visiting Koshtan-Tau#
- Koshtan‑Tau is a technical high‑mountain objective in the central Caucasus-undertake it only with glacier‑travel experience and an accredited mountain guide or organized expedition.
- Time climbs for the main Caucasus summer window (July-August) when snow conditions and crevasse hazards are generally most favorable, and plan your approach via the Bezengi/Bezengi Glacier valleys used by most serious parties.
Best Time to Visit Koshtan-Tau#
The primary climbing window is mid-summer (July-August) when alpine conditions are comparatively most stable for high-altitude mountaineering.
Weather & Climate near Koshtan-Tau#
Koshtan-Tau's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -22°C to 3°C. Abundant rainfall (1126 mm/year), wettest in May.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -21° - -15° | -29° | 67 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Poor | -22° - -16° | -29° | 71 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.3h |
| March | Poor | -21° - -14° | -27° | 83 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -14° - -9° | -20° | 109 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.3h |
| May | Poor | -10° - -5° | -14° | 128 mm | overcast | 79% | 5.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.5h |
| June | Poor | -7° - -1° | -10° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Poor | -3° - 3° | -5° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.9h |
| August | Poor | -3° - 3° | -5° | 104 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 5.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Poor | -5° - -1° | -9° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 5.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -10° - -6° | -15° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Poor | -15° - -11° | -22° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 6.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | -19° - -14° | -27° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 7.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.8h |
