Skitouring in Ushguli: Kareta Pass

The Location

Ushguli is 42 kilometers from Mestia, 2,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of Shkhara peak, near the head of Enguri. The Kareta Pass is in the north of Ushguli, 3,524 meters above sea level. It is one of the highest settlements in Europe and one of the oldest villages in Svaneti.

Winter is long and harsh. The community stands out with its abundance of Svan towers and because of this, Chazha village is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kareta Pass

The route starts from the Zhibiani village and continues two kilometers toward the Enguri gorge. The vertical ascent is 1,324 meters upward of the pass and descends towards the northeastern exposure.

From the top of the Kareta pass, the entire Shkhara massif is visible. 

You can ski this pass even in late spring.

What to consider:

In addition to hiring an experienced guide, it is important to have the proper equipment, including ski touring skis, an avalanche bag, a transmitter, a shovel, a probe, and other necessities.

You should be well-conditioned to complete this route. To get in shape, train with a local personal trainer two weeks before beginning the route.