Mount Bazarduzu: description, features, photos

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Mount Bazarduzu is the peak of the Greater Caucasus watershed range and is located on the border of Dagestan and Azerbaijan; it is widely known as the southernmost point of Russia. The height reaches 4466 meters. Bazardyuzyu is the last node of the Main Caucasus Range, behind which a gradual lowering of the relief is already noticeable. On the slopes of this peak, a large number of reservoirs are born, including some tributaries of the Samur. Mount Bazarduzu (coordinates below) has a specific surface, which is nival-glacial and erosion-denudation. In the northwestern parts of this massif, traces of modern ice cover are clearly pronounced. Weathering processes are also present, which play a significant role in the creation of the relief. It is associated with the formation of depressions on the slopes, deep placers and nival niches. The valleys of this massif are characterized by great depths (up to 1500 m), as well as the U-shape of the gorges. Trough valleys are an exception, as their slopes are relativelyshallow, about 400 m and have a length of up to 9 kilometers. The width of these valleys is more than 200 m. Mount Bazarduzu has a huge glaciation area: according to some sources, about 4 km2.

Glaciers

Bazardyuzyu glaciers are the eastern group of formations not only in the Dagestan region, but also in the Main Caucasus. To the north of this peak there are two more - Tikhitsar and Murkar, which have five hanging lobe-shaped tongues. The most accessible is the Tikhitsar glacier, less than a kilometer long and about 200 meters wide.

Flora and fauna

Despite the harsh conditions for life, the animal world of such a peak as Mount Bazarduzu remains rich and original. In this array, roe deer, chamois and large herds of the Dagestan tur are preserved. In hard-to-reach places, near glaciers, mountain turkeys are found. At the foot of this mountain there are green meadows where local shepherds graze livestock. Light chestnut and sandy loamy soils predominate in the flat part, while mountain forest and chestnut soils dominate in the foothills. The climate in this region is moderately cold, with manifestation in annual temperature amplitudes, both on the lowlands and on the uplands. Also, sharp daily fluctuations and a lack of moisture predominate on the hill - such are the climatic conditions at such a peak as Mount Bazarduzu. Location coordinates explain this. The maximum temperatures in this region do not exceed 200С, in lowland areas the absolute maximum is 35-40degrees Celsius. Precipitation in low-lying areas fluctuates around 350-400 mm, in the mountains, at an altitude of about 3 kilometers, this figure is more than 1000 mm.

Geographic coordinates of Mount Bazarduzu

For many, Bazarduzu is the extreme point of Russia. However, of course, given the official data on its location (41^o N and 47^{oE), it immediately becomes clear that the top is not located on the border of a great power. Moreover, it can be seen on any satellite map. Most likely, this error appeared due to the fact that the mountain has long been a clear landmark in such an area. And in order to find out for sure where Mount Bazarduzu is located, you should use accurate topographic maps.}

Reservoirs

Thanks to the mountains of the Caucasus, and first of all to Bazardyuz, it is planned to build 3 hydroelectric power stations on the territory of Dagestan on the Samur River and its main tributaries coming from this peak. Also, over the past 100 years, a large number of new lakes have appeared in this area, located in the low part of the foothills. On the territory of the Caucasus, all lakes are of lagoon-marine origin and are located in arid regions. Reservoirs in the mountainous part of the massif are flowing, in the lowlands they are drainless and shallow. Mineral springs flow into many of the region's lakes.

Name

Due to its location, between the two states, this area has long been called the boundary marker, as a result of which thisplace in ancient times there was a huge market square at the foot of this peak. Even the name "Bazarduzu" is translated from Turkic and Azerbaijani as "market square". In the Shakhnabad valley, large multinational fairs were held every year, not only the local population of the two bordering countries came here, but also neighbors: Armenians, Georgians, Persians, Arabs, Jews, Tsakhurs, Kumyks, Indians and many other peoples. The local Lezgins called the peak "Kichensuv", which means "mountain of fear".

Since Mount Bazarduzu is dominant among fellow peaks, it can be seen even for ten kilometers. In the Middle Ages, caravaners in these places were guided only by it.

Climbing the mountain

The first official and documented ascent of this mountain, the highest point of Azerbaijan, was the ascent of Russian topographers in 1847, led by K. Aleksandrov, whose main task was to install a triangulation tower on top. After 50 years, the mountain was conquered by two Englishmen. The famous historian G. Anokhin also overcame this route. To the north-east of the mountain there is the Karanlyg pass. Due to its relief, it makes it much easier to overcome the path, as it has a mostly gentle slope.

In our time, Mount Bazarduzu (the photo is in the article) is an excellent place for mountaineering, attracting a large number of tourists with this feature. Near the foot there are a large number of alpine camps, where they also provide climbing training services.