Chaukhi Backcountry Camp is a freeride and skitour expedition far away from cities, highways and loud ski resorts. We will live in tents, cook for ourselves, and start all skitour routes from a basecamp.
Having a total of seven riding days, we will spend the first day acclimatizing and practising avalanche safety. The next six days will be strictly dedicated to skitouring and freeriding. We will gain 1,000–1,500 vertical meters and shred a few lines of 600–800 vertical meters every day.
The programme is designed for experienced freeriders who are ready to carry their backpacks and tents to a remote mountainous area looking for some good rides.
€ TBA
TBA
9 days
guiding ratio:
1:6
arrival/departure city:
Tbilisi
Arrival/departure city: Tbilisi.
We arrange car transfers from Tbilisi and back for all participants. Shared camping gear (kitchen tent, gas, and food) will be waiting for our arrival in the basecamp.
Day 1
Arrival day. We take a private car transfer from Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (about 3 hours), check into the guesthouse and settle in.
Day 2
We travel by car to the nearest spots for an avalanche training and acclimatization skitour and later return to the guesthouse to prepare for the backcountry camp planned for the next morning.
Day 3
A car brings us as close as possible to our basecamp, and then we travel by skitour or on foot. Depending on the road conditions, the walking distance ranges from 4 to 8 km with 450 to 750 meters of vertical elevation. We will need to carry backpacks with personal gear and camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags and pads, and dinnerware).
Days 4–7
We spend four full days riding. To catch some good snow, we will get up at 8 am and take off at 9 am; ski 1–2 lines and return to the camp by 4 pm.
Day 8
Last day in the camp. We will make some time to ride a few lines in the morning. After that, we pack up, ski down to cars waiting for us in the village, and return to the guest house in Stepantsminda. Now it's time to chill and enjoy a well-deserved аprès-ski supra (a traditional Georgian feast).
Day 9
Departure day. We pack up and take a private car transfer to Tbilisi.
We will spend five nights in tents during the expedition and chill in a guesthouse in Stepantsminda two nights before and one night after the camp.
Stepantsminda: a guesthouse featuring twin rooms with amenities, breakfast included; dinners are charged separately.
Expedition: a tented basecamp located at 2,600 meters above sea level. The camp is equipped with a shared kitchen tent, gas and food products for cooking, including snacks for skitour. Participants will need to cook for themselves. Alcohol is not included; you can stock up in Tbilisi/Stepantsminda to suit your taste.
Note. If you are allergic to food or have specific preferences, please indicate this in your application.
Please make sure to pack for six expedition days and also grab some casual clothes you can wear in Stepantsminda and drop there when we are in the mountains.
The temperature at the basecamp is expected at −2...−8°C (+17...+28°F) during the day and −10...−15°C (+5...+14°F) at night. We recommend a sleeping bag with comfort limits of −10...−15°C (+5...+14°F) and a pad with an R-value of at least 2. We also strongly advise bringing a durable tent (winter or all-season) and camping stoves fitting screw-on canisters.
Closer to the start of our expedition, we will organize a WhatsApp chat to discuss the details and make sure that everyone has tents, stoves and other camping gear.
Please consult the list of gear featuring our comments and recommendations. If you need any kind of advice, drop us a line.
Price includes
- certified guides;
- private car transfers;
- accommodation in Stepantsminda (3 nights);
- food products for the expedition (6 days, breakfast + snacks + dinner);
- shared kitchen tent and gas for cooking;
- first aid kit and repair kit.
Price does not include
- accommodation and meals in Tbilisi;
- meals in Stepantsminda;
- medical/evacuation insurance;
- alcohol;
- tips for guides.
