Typical Khibiny minerals. Khibiny Mountains: general information, geographic location, photo

Khibiny are not just large mountain range Kola Peninsula located in Murmansk region Russia, it's also famous ski resort for tourist ski trips different levels difficulties. He is already over 350 million years old. The peaks of the Khibiny are plateau-like. Some of the slopes are quite steep, with occasional snowfields. The highest point of the Khibiny is Mount Yudychvumchorr, more than 1200 meters high, although until recently Chasnachorr, a mountain 1189 meters high above sea level, was considered the highest.

At the foot of the mountains are Kirovsk and Apatity. Not far from Mount Vudyavrchorr is one of the eleven institutes of the Kola scientific center RAS is a polar-alpine botanical garden-institute that studies the flora of the Khibiny. The fauna of the Khibiny is represented by 27 species of mammals, more than 120 species of birds and 2 species of reptiles are found in this territory. A large number of animals and plants are listed in the Red Book. On the slopes of the Khibiny there are the rarest specimens of elements and minerals. Khibiny is a real pantry of valuable rocks of minerals; in terms of their diversity, it occupies an honorable second place in the world.

The Khibiny Mountains are beautiful photos.

Khibiny combines regional and local mountain climate– outer slopes with a milder climate than central part array. It is snowy in the mountains from October to June. Summer is short, only 60 to 80 days, but there are no frosts during this time. The duration of the polar night is 42 days, and the duration of the polar day is 50. From the end of summer to the beginning of spring, you can watch the polar (northern) lights.

Khibiny are popular with skiers and climbers. To conquer the Khibiny, you need appropriate physical preparation, since the Khibiny passes are not so much steep as dangerous. Although, as a ski resort, Khibiny is suitable for both experienced skiers and those who have just started to practice this sport. You just need to know which track is for whom.

As for the origin of the name of the mountains, there is no one version yet. There are suggestions that the name "Khibiny" comes from the Russian colloquial "Khiben" - a plateau. Prior to this, the Khibiny were called the Sami Umptek, which translates as "a place where deer come to die or" closed mountains "

The Khibiny mountain range is the largest on the Kola Peninsula. The highest point of the massif is Mount Yudychvumchorr, 1200 meters high. In the center of formation there are two plateaus Chasnachorr and Kukisvumchorr.

Tourists from all over Russia fell in love with this pearl of the Kola North. The peaks of the Khibiny are located almost in the center of the peninsula and from here you can see very beautiful views. Visit local ski resorts throughout the year, and Lately The popularity of this place is only growing. A variety of trails have already been built here, suitable for any level of training of skiers and snowboarders.

The shape of this mountain range resembles two horseshoes, which are located one inside the other. The local valleys here are rich in lakes, and they have become a favorite place for picnics. For lovers hiking And active rest several dozen tourist routes have been developed. The beauty of the Khibiny attracts travelers throughout the year and the flow of tourists is stable here. Every year tourism in the Khibiny develops more and more, and we advise everyone to visit these amazing places.

Weather

Winter in the Khibiny region is relatively warm, the average temperature is about -11 °C. But in the mountains themselves, and especially on the peaks, it can be 10-15 degrees colder. Frosts below -35 °C are rare.

In summer, this area is not particularly hot, the average temperature is around +12 °C. On the shores of the White and Barents Seas, it is several degrees cooler. There are thunderstorms and heat here, when the thermometer can exceed + 30-35 ° C.

How to get to Khibiny

It is always more convenient to get to the Kola Peninsula by train, along the Oktyabrskaya railway. By train you will get to Apatit or Khibiny station. During the trip, you will already be able to enjoy the beauty of Karelia and its diversity. It should be noted that the northern southern nature region is quite different.

For those who like to travel by car, you can get to Khibiny quite quickly, by modern roads. Do not forget that this is a northern region, so you need to be prepared for any vagaries of the weather, not only in winter, but also in summer. In winter, you should “shod” the car in studded tires, because ice is a frequent occurrence here. At night there are very coldy Therefore, it is not recommended to travel by car at this time of the day. In summer, too, the climate can be very changeable. A warm summer day can quickly turn into a cold late autumn. Don't forget to bring warm clothes with you, even in summer.

Traveling through the Khibiny mountains is an exciting adventure for all lovers wildlife and a new sensation, for those who rarely leave their apartments and offices.

Not everyone dreams in hot weather summer days golden beach sand. For some, plunging into the warm sea is the highest point of enjoyment, while others choose the snow-white peaks of mountain ranges as a break from gray boring everyday life. Admirers of the Alps and the Carpathians sometimes do not even realize the existence of another picturesque and dynamic mountain system near the Barents Sea, Khibiny (Murmansk region).

If you know the location of the Khibiny massif on the map of Russia, it is easy to compare the favorable location and the existence of an entire tourism infrastructure to decide where the next ski vacation will take place.

Khibiny is a low mountain system with greatest height at 2,200 m. Of course, the adrenaline is not the same as in the Alps, but the tourist will definitely not have a reason to worry about the presence of snow, because there is plenty of it. Such a guarantee snow-capped peaks gives the location of the Khibiny - the Arctic. The main city here is Kirovsk. The entire infrastructure for tourists is concentrated here, divided into 4 ski areas. Nearby there is also the city of Apatity with its lifts and ski slopes. About the Khibiny mountains of Murmansk The region is not much written even in the famous Wikipedia, and not everyone knows how to get there, but this information will certainly come in handy for the most purposeful.

Khibiny: where to find and how to get there

This massif is already more than 300 million years old. Yudychvumchorr acts as the highest point of the mountains and occupies a height of 1,200 m above sea level. Despite the very modest size, the massif is the most majestic in the entire Arctic. According to tourists who have already been lucky enough to visit the Khibiny, the air here is very rarefied, but not from a high location, as is commonly believed, but because of the Arctic currents.

Kola Peninsula- this is where the Khibiny mountains are located. Kirovsk, which is the main city, is located near Helsinki, the Finnish capital, and is one of the most influential in the Murmansk region. The beauty of the Khibiny town is enclosed in a mountain semicircle, closed on the fourth side by a lake Big Woodyavr. The city arose relatively recently, in the 1920s, as a result of industrial development of the mineral apatite. Kirovsk can be found on the southern slope of the mountains and just 12 km from it, on the banks of the Belaya River, Apatity is located. The territory is part of the Zasheikovsky forestry.

Getting to the snowy Russian fairy tale is easy. Khibiny Airport is an hour's drive from Kirovsk and receives flights from St. Petersburg and Moscow. Since the passenger traffic is quite large, the airport simply cannot cope with its small size, and most tourists prefer to fly through Murmansk, which receives daily flights from any corner of the vast Motherland.

Which airlines fly to Khibiny:

• "RusLine";
• "Russia";
• UTair.

Already from Murmansk you can get to Khibiny by regular bus in just 3–3.5 hours. Transfer by train will take the tourist a whole day.

Climatic conditions of the mountains

The climate of the Khibiny regions is very mysterious and unusual for the average Russian living somewhere in central regions. The Khibiny are located a little to the north arctic circle, which means that in addition to the mountains and outdoor activities, the visitor has the opportunity to experience the famous polar night, which lasts here from mid-December to the second half of December. During this period of time, the sun does not rise in the sky at all. For those who came in the summer months, nature provided a polar day that lasts the whole of June and the beginning of July. During this period, the sun constantly shines in the sky and does not set even at night.

The polar region is famous for its very harsh climate, but the Khibiny retain enough o mild and hospitable weather all year round. Of course, the weather is often unpredictable and it snows heavily even on Egypt, so it should not surprise anyone that in the Khibiny the temperature in winter can reach -30–35 degrees Celsius. Sparkling snow covers the ground from autumn to late spring, and in some places, especially loved by tourists, the cover can be seen in the summer.

According to the habitues of these places, the Khibiny is most hospitable in April - May, since during this period the weather is the clearest, the longest daylight hours and the most favorable snow cover for skiing. Those who come to meet in the mountains New Year and Christmas, can observe incredible beauty and magic

Nature Khibiny

At the entrance to Kirovsk ski resort Khibiny appears before the eyes of the tourist in all its glory. The peaks of the Vudyavrchorr and Aikuaivenchorr mountains rise majestically above the city. On the slopes of the first one is located three unique polar botanical gardens. Climbing the slope Khibiny mountain everything above can be observed as one natural landscape comes to replace another. The ascent begins from the valley tundra, then passes into the spruce taiga, after - the birch crooked forest, which is replaced by alpine mosses and ends with the Arctic desert.

If you are tired mountain trails, you can change the slope with a flat ski track, which has a length of 14 km. The track is equipped for the convenience of tourists and is equipped with snowmobiles and scooters. Fans of hiking can use the services of a helicopter, which will deliver extreme sports to any of the four Khibiny peaks for very modest money. Here, tourists can test their survival skills and, going down the slope, enjoy the pristine nature of the Khibiny . Experienced athletes can ride on one of the mountain paths like heli-ski, but only under the supervision of an instructor, as these slopes are prone to avalanches.

The minerals of the Khibiny are carefully hidden in the tectonic structure of the mountains. There is also iron ore, and copper-nickel ores, and oil. But the main asset, of course, are bluish-green apatite stones.

Accommodation

Ski resort Khibiny is currently undergoing rapid development. Unfortunately, the hotel business has not yet reached the level of popular European resorts, but tourists note that in last years many cozy hotels appeared in Apatity and Kirovsk. Tourists who have visited the Khibiny are advised to approach the choice of housing with special attention and look for a hotel near your favorite ski slope. In each of the four ski complex There are hostels and hotels. Also, tourists may like accommodation in the private sector. The rates for accommodation in hotels and the private sector are relatively low, but the hostel remains the most economical option.

What to expect from the tracks?

Khibiny are real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to standard tracks of any complexity, there is a modular stadium, ski jumps, and a skating rink. Austrian snowcats are tamping down the track. Companies can climb to the top chair lifts or numerous boogles. Equipment rentals and cafes are open 24/7. Choosing a route for the entire period of rest, you need to take into account your skills, since each of the complexes has different level characteristics. The most gifted and trained skiers prefer the slope of Kukisvumchorra and the "Twenty-fifth kilometer", while the athletes more simply respect the "Northern slope". Board lovers are advised to visit the Khibiny Snow Park.

Ski resort prices

Apatity and Kirovsk are considered places for the budget ski holidays. The cost of ski passes and lifts is completely different everywhere, depending on the length of the lift and the ski area:

This ski resort which is only at the development stage, but the dynamics are impressive. That is why foreign and Russian investors are trying to invest in it to the maximum and make the Khibiny a worthy, and most importantly, affordable replacement for expensive European resorts for everyone.

Traveling through the Khibiny summer time, you can find many curious and sometimes rare minerals for other regions. Some minerals are sold in numerous souvenir shops, but it is important for many tourists to find a souvenir for themselves. We offer a list of the most common minerals in the Khibiny and primary information about them.

• Aegirine.
  The name of the mineral is given in honor of the Icelandic god of the sea - Aegir. The most common aegirine of the first generation is black long prismatic crystals or radial-radiant clusters,

And aegirine II generation - green, velvety crystals and spherulites.

In black crystals, it is difficult to distinguish it from arfvedsonite. The bottom of a porcelain cup or a piece of “biscuit” - a porcelain plate without glaze will help to identify the mineral. If you draw a line on porcelain with a mineral, then its color will be green. If it is arfvedsonite and not aegirine, then the color of the line will be gray.

Be careful! Small needle aggregates of aegirine can leave hard-to-remove splinters in the hands.

Application area:
Aegirine concentrate is obtained from apatite-nepheline ores, which is used in the production of protective and lubricating coatings, ceramic products, facing tiles, glazes, and refractory coatings.

• Microcline.
  The mineral belongs to the group of feldspars. The name comes from other Greek. "micro" - small and "wedge" - I cant. Indeed, the angle between the cleavage planes of the microcline differs slightly from the right angle - by 20'.

Mineral color: white, gray, light green, brown-pink. Has a glassy sheen.

Application area:
It is used in the production of technical ceramics, porcelain, faience.

• Eudialyte.
  The name comes from other Greek. εὑ - good and διαλυτός - soluble. Let's well dissolve in acids. The second name "Lapp blood" is common only on the Kola Peninsula and is given to the mineral according to the Sami (Lapp) legend:

“It was a long, long time ago. Strangers found on our land, they said - seams, and we were like a lop - naked, without weapons, even without shotguns, and not everyone had knives. And we didn't want to fight. But the shvets began to select the bulls and women, took our fish places, built pens and lemmas - there was nowhere for the lopi to go. And so the old people gathered and began to think about how to expel the Shvet, and he was so strong - big, with firearms. We consulted, argued and decided to go all together against him, take away our deer and again sit on Seiyavr and Umbozero.

And they started a real war - some with a shotgun, some just with a knife, they all went to the seams, and the seam was strong and was not afraid of the lopi. First, he lured our lop to Seiyavr by cunning and began to crumble it there.
If it strikes to the right, there were no ten of ours, and all the mountains, tundras and khibiny were splashed with drops of blood; Such a red stone in the mountains - after all, this is the very blood of the Lop, the blood of the old Sami.

But our old people got angry, when they saw that the seam began to crumble them, they hid in the willow tree, gathered their strength and immediately overlaid everything on all sides of the seam, it is there, here - there is no passage for it anywhere: neither to go down to Seyyavr, nor to get out on the tundra, so he froze on a rock that hangs over the lake. You, when you are on Seiyavr, you will see the giant Kuyva yourself - this is the seam that our Sami spread on the stone, our old people, when they went to war against him.

So he stayed there, damned Kuiva, and our old people again took possession of the bulls and important women, again sat on the fish places and began to hunt ... Only now the red drops of Sami blood remained on the tundra, you can’t collect them all, our old people shed a lot of them until Kuivu mastered…”

Mineral color: pink, red, brown. Often found in association with feldspar, black aegirine or arfvedsonite.

Application area:
Souvenir products, bijouterie. Can be used as a source of zirconium.

• Apatite.
  The name comes from other Greek. ἀπατάω "I deceive". This name of the mineral is due to its similarity with some precious minerals of the beryllium group - emerald, aquamarine. Apatite has a similar crystal shape, a wide range of colors and is completely transparent. From precious stones distinguishes its hardness - only 5.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. In the literature, you can also find the metaphor "fertility stone". Apatite is the main inorganic component of the bones and teeth of vertebrates and humans.

Khibiny apatite is found in green, grayish-green, black, blue, brown, and pink. Large, clear crystals are rare. "Rich" apatite is characterized by sugariness, friability.

Application area:
The world's largest deposit of apatite-nepheline ore is located in Khibiny. Apatite JSC mines ore at three open-pit and underground mines to obtain apatite concentrate. Phosphate fertilizers are produced from apatite concentrate; the concentrate is also used for the manufacture of cleaning products and toothpaste.
Widespread use in jewelry is impossible due to the low hardness and brittleness of apatite.

• Lamprophyllite.
  The name comes from the Greek. "phyllites" - leafy, "lampros" - brilliant. The first mineral discovered during the first expedition of W. Ramsay in 1890

Lamellar, yellow, golden-brown mineral. Outwardly, it is very similar to astrophyllite. You can check the find only with a blowpipe: lamprophyllite quickly fuses into a non-magnetic black mass. Astrophyllite, under the blowpipe, fuses into a magnetic black ball.
It can also be visually distinguished from astrophyllite if characteristic rare steps are noticeable on the surface of split crystals of lamprophyllite.

It occurs on the Kola Peninsula (in the Khibiny and Lovozero tundras), in the Urals and in Ukraine in the Mariupol massif.

• Astrophyllite.
  The name comes from the Greek. "aster" - star, "phyllites" - leafy. In the people it is also called "Sami gold".

It forms elongated lamellar crystals and spectacular stellate aggregates - "suns". The color of astrophyllite is bronze-brown, golden-brown, golden-yellow, orange. Unlike mica, astrophyllite leaves are not elastic, but brittle. Astrophyllite is very effective in white albite.

The best astrophyllite in the world is mined on the Kola Peninsula in the Khibiny Mountains.

Application area:
Used in souvenirs, jewelry.

• Natrolite.
  From the Greek natron, "soda", due to the mineral's sodium content, and lithos, "stone".

Belongs to the group of zeolites and has the ability to give and re-absorb water, depending on temperature and humidity.

Colour: Colorless or white with yellowish, greenish and reddish tinges. Often forms white transparent crystals.

Has no practical application, a collection mineral.

• Sphene (titanite).
  The name "titanite" comes from the chemical element titanium, which is part of the mineral. The old name "sphene" from other Greek. σφήν - wedge, associated with the structure of the crystal.

Sphene in natrolite

Color: yellow, honey yellow, green, brown. Often grows on other minerals, also forms a thin dissemination in the rock. Brown component of apatite-nepheline ore. Titanite can be confused with many gemstones. Transparent varieties in the cut are distinguished by a bright play and diamond brilliance.

Apatite-sphene ore.

Application area:
Sphene concentrate is used for the production of pearlescent pigments.

• Nepheline.
  The name comes from the Greek. νεφέλη - a cloud, since the mineral releases cloud-like gels when immersed in solutions of strong acids. The obsolete name is eleolith.

Mineral color: white, gray, yellowish green. Most often in the Khibiny you can see gray nepheline. Component of apatite-nepheline ore, rock-forming mineral.

Application area:
Nepheline concentrate is obtained from apatite-nepheline ore. It is used for the production of raw materials for aluminum smelting, potash (soda) and raw materials for cement production. It is also used in the production of soda and in the glass and leather industries.

• Pectolite.
  The name comes from the Greek. pektos - "densely packed", "compact" and lithos - "stone".

Color: white, gray with a silky sheen. Often forms radiant "contractions", spherulites. Has a fibrous structure. The finest fibers can leave splinters when working with pectolite without gloves. In ultraviolet light it can sometimes fluoresce pink.

Has no practical application, a collection mineral.

Often unscrupulous sellers of souvenirs offer such “local” stones that have never been here and cannot be. Be careful when buying.

Most often they give out for Khibiny minerals: amethyst, fuchsite, kyanite, amazonite and even malachite.

In the central part of the Kola Peninsula in the Murmansk region there is a unique in its natural features edge. This is a large mountain range called Khibiny. He attracts everything more people both for scientific purposes and for recreation in beautiful and clean nature.

The name "Khibiny" appeared recently, before that mountain system called the Sami word "Umptek". It is believed that the geological age of this mountain country reaches about 350 million years. The exact origin of the name Khibiny is still unknown, although according to the Russian dialect Arkhangelsk region and the Kola Peninsula, the term "Khiben" prevails, which means "plateau". The Khibiny mountain massif in its shape is more like a horseshoe, somewhat open towards the east.

Here are the world's largest deposits of apatite containing phosphorus, as well as titanium, molybdenum ores and many other rare elements that have become a reliable base for the mining industry of the North. Therefore, the Khibiny massif is also called the mineralogical natural museum.

most high point is Mount Yudychvumchorr (from 1200 to 1206 meters).

In the Khibiny beyond the Arctic Circle, the polar night lasts 42 days. Climate with frequent cyclones, sharp drops in atmospheric pressure. From August to mid-April, you can watch the picturesque northern lights.

Summer is short, in the mountains 60-80 days without frost. The maximum precipitation also falls in summer. The polar day lasts 50 days.

In the Khibiny mountain plateaus, there is a lot of precipitation. During the year, precipitation is distributed almost evenly, a little more in summer, a little less in winter.

The slopes and foothills of the mountains are occupied exclusively coniferous forests: spruce forests, pine forests, with an admixture of birch species. A little higher - birch crooked forest. Next comes the tundra, almost completely covered with small shrubs - blueberries, lingonberries, crowberries, bearberries, as well as various types lichens. After the first frosts, the leaves quickly acquire a rich, bright color, creating a multi-colored carpet of incredible beauty. As the height increases along the slopes, bare areas of rocky embankments can be found. The flora of the Khibiny mountains is especially valuable, because a considerable number of representatives of local vegetation are listed in the Red Book.

In the summer, there are many tourists in Khibiny who make hiking along rivers and mountain passes enjoying beautiful scenery mountains and river valleys. In the winter-spring period, Khibiny is an ideal ski resort. When there is almost no snow in the middle part of Russia, there is plenty of it here and it does not melt for a long time.
​
Visiting the Khibiny, you can see the sights of nearby cities or get acquainted with the culture of the native inhabitants of the north - the Saami.

#Khibiny #Apatity #Kola Peninsula #rest in Russia #RFARUS