Military Scientific Expedition of 1829 to the Foot of Elbrus Leaded by G.A Emanuel: Significance, Myths and Reality

Abstract. The article discusses the reasons, conduct and results of the military scientific expedition to Elbrus in 1829, organized by the commander of the troops on the Caucasian line, in the Black Sea and Astrakhan, the head of the Caucasian region, General G.A. Emanuel. There is still no detailed description of it with scientific conclusions, despite the interest in this event. The careful preparation and conduct of this event was investigated. It is shown that both scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences and representatives of the North Caucasian ethnic groups took part in the expedition. It was revealed that during the expedition, research was carried out in the field of geography, geology, physics, zoology and botany, which is a significant contribution to science. During the expedition, the first ascent of Mount Elbrus was made, which became an international event. Based on the analysis of sources and primary sources, some of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, this paper shows that the first ascent of Mount Elbrus was made by Kabardian Kilar Khashirov. This article analyzes a number of publications that claim a different name and surname of the first climber on Elbrus. Their comparison with sources allows us to conclude that this statement is false.

Keywords: military scientific expedition of 1829, G.A. Emanuel, Academy of Sciences, Elbrus, the first climber on Elbrus, Kilar Khashirov, Kabarda, Balkaria, Karachay