One of the most noticeable landmarks near the southern trail to the summit of Elbrus is the Memorial dedicated to the 130th anniversary of A.V. Pastukhov's ascent to the western summit of Elbrus in 1890. The rocks on which this obelisk was erected in 2020 also bear the name of the famous 19th-century topographer.
Andrei Vasilyevich Pastukhov was a military topographer and one of the first and most prominent mountaineers of the Russian Empire. He climbed Elbrus twice. The first time, in 1890, he was accompanied by three Cossacks from the Khopersky Regiment (D. Nekhoroshev, Ya. Taranov, and D. Mernov). During this expedition, a topographic survey of the mountain's slopes was conducted and rock samples were collected for subsequent study.
The second time, A.V. Pastukhov climbed to the eastern summit in 1896, becoming the first Russian climber to conquer both peaks of Elbrus.
Today, the Pastukhov Rock Memorial serves as a prominent landmark for climbers and as one of the final destinations for acclimatization climbs. Its location offers a beautiful view of the Elbrus region, as well as Maria's Shelter, Yak Shelter, and the surrounding area.