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Khibiny Massif (Khibiny Tundra) |
Khibiny (sometimes also written as Khibina, Hibina or Hibiny) is the name of the mountainous massif located at the centre of Kola Peninsula, between the lakes Imandra on the west and Umba (Umbozero, Umb'yavr) on the east. The latter separates Khibiny from Lovozero massif. The Khibiny pluton, covering an area of 1,327 square kilometres, is the Earth's largest alkaline intrusion and it extends between 67°33' and 67°55' of latitude North, 33°20' and 34°30' of longitude East. Due to the greater resistance to erosion offered by the igneous rocks, they form mountains which rise, on an average, 1,000 meters above the surrounding marshy country and present a typical glacial topography. The Russians use the word tundra (from the Lappish tundar or tundr; compare with the Finnish tunturi = mountain) to refer to the upper treeless portions of the mountains; and, since all but the lower slopes are above timber line, this area, underlain by igneous rock, is also called the Khibiny tundra.
Two mountain ridges, arcuate in plan and opened towards the east, characterized the massif. A system of streams and lakes separate the external arc from the inner one. The valleys of three streams, flowing eastwards into Lake Umba near Tul'ilukht Bay, deeply cut the innermost mountainous bow.
 
Human settlements are limited to the western- and southernmost edges of the massif, whilst the internal valleys and the northern and eastern peripheral zones are totally uninhabited. The main centre is the town of Apatity, which lies to the south-west of the massif. The second important town of this region is Kirovsk, located in southern central position on the shore of Lake Bolshoi Vud'yavr. It was founded in the thirties of the last century and named in honour of the revolutionary leader S. M. Kirov, who actively fostered the discovery and the commercial exploitation of the large apatite deposits of this region. Kirovsk has about thirty thousand inhabitants, the majority of which is employed in extraction and processing of apatite ore. In town there are two museums, one Internet cafe and several bars and restaurants, some high-quality hotels, and also two scientific bases, in one of which it is possible to lodge. In winter and spring, thanks to the surrounding mountains, Kirovsk is a popular ski resort.
 
July-August is the best time for visiting Khibiny in order to collect minerals. During a three-week-long period it is possible to collect over 100 different mineral species, many of which occur only here. For the usual routes in the neighbourhood of Kirov one day is needed, but the routes to same interesting places can require some days. In such cases camping or bivouacking is required. Mountain roads are very few and bad. Consequently, only by doing considerable walking is possible to reach most of interesting mineral occurrences.
In summer you will enjoy, as well, the alpine-arctic flora: broad and soft expanses of mosses and lichens, flowered bushes and herbs (such as rose-bay, mint, burdock, veronica, etc), shrubs full of edible berries (whortleberry and red bilberry in dry soils; cloudberry and cranberry in the lower wet and marshy zones), mushrooms (mainly of genus boletus and russula), and, at the foots of the mountains, woods of spruce, pine, and birch. Local fauna is quite rich and, while walking, interesting birds (such as arctic owls, grouse, etc) and mammals (such as varying hares, lemmings, bears, etc) may be sighted.
 
We offer you the possibility of taking part in a joint expedition to Khibiny massif. Accepting our proposal for a two-week expedition, we can assure you that mineral specimens of 50 different species at least, including some of those known only at Khibiny, will be collectible. Furthermore, you will retain unforgettable impressions (mountain landscapes are very beautiful) of a simply good, healthy, and quite unusual vacation in the open air.
Furthermore, expeditions to other localities of Kola Peninsula can be organized.
The next expedition is planned for this summer. For any information and question please contact: max@mineralogist.ru
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