!!!Starry sky over mount Elbrus

by Ivan Roslyakov,
member of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

29 August 2014

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

These panoramas were captured during Olympic Games in Sochi. We were in
these places while shooting virtual tour of Elbrus. At that time we shot
more than 10 hours of the starry sky, which we showed in 360 video
earlier. Now we present to your attention photo panoramas of incredible
starry sky over mount Elbrus.

[{Image src='01_Starry sky over mount Elbrus.jpg' caption='Starry sky over mount Elbrus' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='502'}]

Mount Elbrus, the highest peak of Russia, is located north of the
Caucasus Mountain Range, on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and
Karachay-Cherkessia of Russia. The twin-peak mountain (5,642-meter and
5,621-meter summits) can also be considered the highest peak in Europe
as it is still rather uncertain where the border between Europe and Asia
lies exactly. 4,810-meter-high Mont Blanc would be the only competitor
for this title, as it is undoubtedly located in Europe.

The last eruption of Mt. Elbrus took place around 50 AC. However, today
Mt. Elbrus is not a dormant volcano, but a sleeping one. Considerably
high volcanic activity is being recorded inside the mountain: hot lava
heats water up to +60ºC, feeding mineral springs of the popular
Caucasian spa towns of Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, and Mineral Waters.

[{Image src='02_Starry sky over mount Elbrus.jpg' caption='Starry sky over mount Elbrus' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='372'}]

In 1829, a Russian scientific expedition led by General Emmanuel made
the first successful ascension to Mt. Elbrus in human history. A group
of British mountaineers first climbed the western summit (the highest
one) in 1874. A. V. Pastukhov, a Russian military cartographer, is
considered the first person to successfully climb both summits (years
1890 and 1896). Pastukhov was also the one who mapped this area in
detail.

Today, Mount Elbrus is one of the most popular destinations for climbing
and mountain hiking. The Russian Emergencies Ministry uses the northern
slope of Mt. Elbrus for its needs, and the southern slope has
well-developed tourism and hospitality infrastructure. There are
pendulums and chairlifts, the alpine hotel "Shelter of Eleven" located
at 4,000 meters altitude, and the "Saddleback" hotel located at 5,300
meters altitude. Strong winds and harsh weather conditions destroyed
the" Saddleback" hotel many times, but it has always been rebuilt anew.

[{Image src='03_Starry sky over mount Elbrus.jpg' caption='Starry sky over mount Elbrus' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='410'}]

Over 10,000 people climb Mount Elbrus every year. Hundreds of
mountaineers depart from the base camps during summer season, which is
the most suitable time for ascending. Since Mt. Elbrus was "conquered"
many years ago, new climbers come up with all sorts of artificial
challenges to make their attempt special: snowboarding down the
mountain, motorcycling, and even automobile ascending.

Like other mountains, Mt. Elbrus has taken its toll on its visitors —
almost 10 human lives a year are lost. Accidents mostly happen due to
strategic mistakes made during climbing. However, you don't have to risk
your life or your comfort — you can "conquer" the legendary summits of
Mount Elbrus with our virtual panoramas.

\\ \\
[3 Panoramas of Elbrus- Starry sky|Geography/Asia/Russia/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Starry_sky_over_mount_Elbrus]










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