Sheli & Miketi Mt., N (север), NE (северо-восток), 11 км., 07:00 ч., 04:30 ч., ↑ 1300 м., ↓ 1300 м., ▼ 1673 m. - ▲ 2873 m.
MIKETI: Gigantic lines in the big mountains near the Gudauri resort
This and others (more than 30 routes) are in the printed version of the backcountry guide to the Gudauri and Kazbegi region from the "Still Wild Georgia" series.
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Starting point
The route starts from the uninhabited village of Guda in the Aragvi gorge, 40-minute driving from the resort.
Access
You can get there by car (only SUV). For the first 15 minutes, the road runs along with the asphalt in the direction of Tbilisi. At the third turn of the serpentine, there will be a car exit to the right (dirt road), which continues as a road along the bottom of Aragvi gorge, and 20-30 minutes later, you will be at the spot. Landmarks for a stop — at the left, there will be a steep hill with noticeable ruins of an ancient fortress on its top (Gudala castle in M. Y. Lermontov’s novelette «Demon»). At the foot of the hill, there is a stream. In fact, that is the famous Aragvi river, but now most of the water flow is enclosed in underground pipes, leading it to the modern hydroelectric power station, visible from the start of the descent from the asphalt to the gorge. Here you can find springs that smell of sulfur.
Ascent
The route consists of two conventional parts — ascent to the first ridge with access to the hidden valley and access to the top of Shele or Miketi mountains. The relief is open and predictable — slope steepness with an average gradient of 30º, without large terrain traps and sudden drops. 100 meters after the start of the route, you need to cross the stream (there is a bridge here). Then the ascent continues in the saddle direction, visible on the first small ridge. Less than in an hour, you will be on the saddle. From there, continue your way to the right, bypassing the hill on its left side. About 20 minutes later, you will find yourself in a hidden wide valley, not visible from the beginning of the ascent and from Gudauri. Crossing the valley, you will come to the foot of the main slope. Then, along the least steep section through the center, climb the ridge between Shele (left) and Mikheti (right) peaks. On the ridge, depending on the snow cover condition and avalanche danger level and evaluating your energy level, you can decide which top to ascend — the simple left one (Shele mountain) or the more difficult right one (Miketi).
Descent
There are no recommendations for the descent – descend where it is safe at the moment – there are various descent lines from any point of your ascent. However, downhill from the central part of Miketi ridge can become one of the best epic descents in your life.
You should go on this route only in good visibility and favorable forecast conditions — in the states of poor visibility, you can quickly lose visual landmarks and get lost. Don’t go on this route during the working days of heli-skiing of Heliksir company on this spot – this is their main spot. Check their schedule beforehand by contacting them at http://heliski.travel/
Rescue service: +995 790 211 100
Fire service, police, medical assistance: 112
Helicopters: +995 32 2243 503, +995 595 350 900, +995 595 404 606
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