Dombay

Started by I. V. Mushketov in 1895, N. A. Bush in 1896, A. L. Reinhard in 1914, the scientific study of the area was successfully continued after the Great October Soviet scientists. The exceptional perspective of the entire Teberdinsko-Dombaysky district as a mountain climatic resort was established at the beginning of the century, but the creation of this resort and sanatorium base was carried out only in Soviet times, with the main focus on Teberda. Since the 30s, Dombai has gradually become a popular place for active recreation and sports, and now it has become one of the centers of the "tourism industry" and at the same time the subject of close attention of the newfangled "recreational geography". There was a new important "branch" in the economy and economy of the ancient land - forge and export of health. Dombay is traditionally a mountaineering area. The first trips and ascents in Dombai were made in 1904-1905 by members of the Russian Mountain Society. In 1925, the group of B. Delaunay climbed the snowy Sofrudja. From 1929 to 1933, still small groups of Soviet climbers under the leadership of V. Mitnikov, B. Aleinikov and ardent enthusiast Dombai B. Delaunay conquer the peaks of Erzog, Juguturlyuchat, Bu-Ulgen, Chotcha, Tooth Sofrudzhu, South Amanauz. In 1933 B. Aleinikov’s group reached the top of the impregnable Dombai-Ulgen. Their routes are becoming classic.

In 1934, on the picturesque Dombai glade, a tourist and climbing camp of the Society for Proletarian Tourism and Excursions (OPTE) appeared. Mountain travel and climbing to the tops are becoming more massive. In 1936, there were already 10 mountaineering camps in Dombai, mostly concentrated on the same clearing. In 1937, a recreation center of scientists was built here - the famous wooden tower of Dombai, the decoration of the Dombai glade, later the alplager "Lightning", then "Medic", and now the tourist base "Sunny Valley". Mountaineering camps and bases appear in Alibek, Gonachhir and Bu Ulgen. In 1935, Ptysh peaks were conquered, in 1936 - Belalakai, and in 1937 climbers made the most difficult traverse of the Dombai-Ulgen massif (the group of K. Sobolev). The former camp of OPTE becomes the tourist base "Dombai". In the winter of 1936/37, ski treks began in Dombai, and in 1937 climbers made a winter ascent to Sofrudzha.

Before the war, tourist hikes and climbing in Dombai acquire unprecedented mass, the best skiers of the country train here. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Dombai is empty. Mountaineers pick up weapons. Fascist hordes enter the land of the Caucasus. The enemy rushes into Transcaucasia, vainly throwing into the fire selected divisions. In the snow at the mountain peaks are heavy fighting. Forever will remain in history the names of the heroes of deadly battles with the enemy on the slopes of gray Elbrus and Sancharo, on the passes Kluhor and Maruch - at the very borders of Dombay. In the terrible battles of the holy war, a great victory is born. In the deep autumn of 1944, instructors of mountain training of troops E. Abalakov, V. Kolomensky and M. Anufrikov make a complex traverse of the peaks of Juguturlyuchat, opening a new stage in the development of Dombai. Life returns to the mountains. In 1946, the group of V. Nesterov performs the most difficult traverse Ptysh-Akbek-Juguturlyuchat. The development of new ways begins, the storming of impregnable walls. Dombai is becoming a school for many of the country’s outstanding climbers.

Attractions:

The southern border of Dombai is the Main Caucasian Range. The highest point is the peak of Dombai-Ulgen, with a height of 4040 m. The connection of the three main gorges of Dombay - Alibek, Amanaz and Dombay-Ulgen - forms the natural center of the territory - the picturesque Dombay glade, lying at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level. On the fourth, located to the north, a large gorge Gonachkhir passes through the Klukhor Pass an ancient trade route leading from the steppes and foothills of the North Caucasus to the Black Sea Abkhazia. The mild climate, abundance of sun, moderate humidity and wonderful nature have created Dombay deserved fame of a beautiful mountain resort. Blue glaciers and bright carpets of subalpine meadows, foam waterfalls and turquoise lakes, bizarre rocks and ringing streams create a unique look of this corner of Russia.