Gabzaruli Lake: The Cracked Mirror of the Keli Plateau
In the desolate, high-altitude wilderness of the Keli Volcanic Plateau, close to the legendary Qelitsadi Lake, lies an even more mysterious and seldom-seen wonder: Gabzaruli Tba, the “Cracked Lake”. Its name comes from the bizarre, deep cracks that fissure the surrounding volcanic terrain and, in winter, the thick ice that covers its surface. This is one of the most remote and challenging destinations in Georgia, a place of stark, raw, and almost alien beauty. Gabzaruli is a true high-altitude volcanic lake, sitting above 3,100 meters. The landscape is a monochrome world of dark scree and rock, where vegetation is non-existent. The lake’s water is a deep, cold blue, a stark contrast to the barren surroundings. The journey here is an extension of the extreme trek to Qelitsadi, demanding peak physical condition, mountaineering skills, and self-sufficiency. For the handful of adventurers who reach it, Gabzaruli offers a vision of Earth in its most primordial state, a landscape shaped by fire and ice.
Identification and Location
- Name: Gabzaruli Tba (Cracked Lake).
- Location:
- Country: Georgia
- Region: Mtskheta-Mtianeti
- Municipality: Kazbegi
- Nearest Major Landmark/Area: Keli Volcanic Plateau, near Qelitsadi Lake.
- Coordinates: Approximately 42.5592° N, 44.2753° E.
- Connections: Part of a high-altitude hydrological system fed by snowmelt.
Physical Characteristics
- Surface Area: Small, approximately 0.01 square kilometers.
- Elevation Above Sea Level: Extremely high, approximately 3100 meters.
- Water Source(s): Snowmelt, glacial melt.
- Water Type: Freshwater.
- Geology of Basin: Volcanic caldera/depression, characterized by heavily fissured ground.
Ecological Information
- Flora: The surrounding landscape is almost entirely devoid of vegetation, consisting of volcanic rock and scree.
- Fauna: The extreme conditions are unlikely to support any significant fish populations.
- Water Clarity: High transparency with a deep blue color.
- Unique Ecological Features: Its location in a geologically unique, cracked volcanic plateau.
- Conservation Status: De facto protected due to its extreme remoteness and inaccessibility.
Human Interaction and Significance
- Historical Significance: Part of the mythologized and largely unexplored Keli Plateau.
- Current Use: An objective for elite, expedition-style mountaineers and trekkers.
- Environmental Issues: None, due to a complete lack of human activity.
- Management and Conservation Efforts: No formal management. Conservation is ensured by its natural inaccessibility.
- Local Communities: Not utilized by local communities due to its extreme location.
Interesting or Unique Facts
- Its name means “Cracked Lake”, a direct description of its surreal surroundings.
- It is one of the highest and least-visited lakes in the entire Caucasus region.
- The trekking window to reach the lake is exceptionally short, often just a few weeks in August.
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