Autumn in Stepantsminda in northern Georgia

Stepantsminda (Saint Stephen) is surrounded by mountains. Stepantsminda (previously called Kazbegi) is a town is located along the banks of the Thergi River, 157 kilometres (98 miles) north of Tbilisi in the Greater Caucasus Mountains at an elevation of 1,740 metres (5,710 feet) above sea level. Its climate is moderately humid with relatively dry, cold winters and long, cool summers. The average annual temperature is 4.9 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of -5.2 degrees Celsius while July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is -34 degrees Celsius and the absolute maximum is 32 Celsius. Stepantsminda’s average annual precipitation is 790 mm (31.1 inches).

Tbilisi, three hours drive south of Stepantsminda, was 17 degrees Celsius (63 F) when I left and Stepantsminda was 8 Celsius (46 F) with a slight breeze that shook the autumn leaves from their branches. The entire region was coloured in yellow, orange and red leaves, making the alpine fields and forests of the Kazbegi Nature Reserve (opened by the Soviet government in 1979) a spectacular sight. It rained intermittently with a soft rain that misted the mountains. However, there were many clear sunny periods in which the mountain peaks were clearly visible. The most amazing peak is Mt Kazbegi. An active geothermal spring (hot spring) also surrounds the region.

Local attractions include the Alexander Kazbegi Museum and the Gergeti Trinity Church near the town. The Museum is closed during the weekend, although you can wander in the garden and view the large pots and urns. The Gergeti Trinity Church was open to the public. In winter, due to the snows, the roads are often closed.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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