Few people know that in the Caucasus, besides Elbrus and Kazbek, there is another mountain region of volcanic origin. It is located in the Chegem district of Kabardino-Balkaria, between the valleys of Kestanta and Chegem. The name "Chegem volcanic region" is not entirely accurate; more correctly, it is the Verkhnechegem lava plateau, located between the valleys of Kestanta and Chegem. The plateau is part of the Elbrus-Kyugen volcanic region (see below). http://www.zoodrug.ru/topic3092.html), and is thus a “peer” of Elbrus, only
significantly more destroyed.
I recommend reading interesting articles by Kabardino-Balkaria researcher Viktor Kotlyarov Viktorkotl from the series "Father of Elbrus":
Part 1. http://viktorkotl.livejournal.com/45181.html
Part 2. http://viktorkotl.livejournal.com/45511.html (more details on geology)
In this post I suggest looking at 11 photographs of the main peaks of the Chegem volcanic region: Kumtyube (3776 m), Kestantytau (3774 m), Kumkyugenkaya (Kyugenkaya) (3743 m), as well as the Kumtyube plateau, or "anomalous zone Alpha" according to ufologists.
A large panorama of almost the entire region. The leftmost, reddish peak is Kestantytau, with its bizarre "mushrooms" and "figures" on the summit plateau. Closer to the center is Kumkyugenkaya ("sandy, burnt rock"), which looks more beautiful from the other side. And the rightmost peak is Kutyube (in front of it is a small peak with a rocky "finger").
Let's start with the plateau and the summit of Kumtyube. There are two small lakes called Kum on the plateau. This is the "Alpha anomaly zone" (if you're interested: http://www.bibliotekar.ru/index.files/3/0-0-0-39.htm). In the distance on the right, the Bezengi region is visible, with its high, snow-capped peaks, over 5,000 meters high. The panorama is also clickable; see the original.
The plateau and Mount Kumtyube in a different light.
Let's move on to Kestantytau. It's a stunning place: on a long, wide, flat plateau, various rock figures seem to be scattered here and there.
Here in May, at the southern end of the plateau.
Mushrooms.
They are in the summer.
Here I see a warrior watching over the valley, some kind of one-eyed "Hulk" without arms, and something like a large hand sticking out of the mountain.
This clickable(!) panorama shows Kestantytau on the far right (the mushrooms and figures on it are indistinguishable from this distance), and to the left is the Kumkyugenkaya massif, made up of multicolored volcanic rocks. Where the yellow is, there's probably sulfur.
Kumkyugenkaya. Layers of solidified lava from several eruptions are visible. Erosion has transformed the large plateau into distinct massifs, creating a sense of historical cross-sections.
Different lighting and angle.
[List of all 100 peaks of the Caucasus + interactive map]
Source: travel.ru