Mount Elbrus – 12 days – U $ 3,550 (special discount)
Date 2020 – 08/10/2020 to 08/21/2020
Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and is therefore part of the 7 Summit project. Located in the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia, in a region of cinematic beauty.
With an altitude of 5,642 meters, Elbrus is an inactive volcano, however, despite its height, it is not a mountain with great technical difficulties. Its summit is accessed by walking on ice, requiring only to know how to use crampons, double boots and to be strung. The physical demand is average, taking into account the normal difficulties of a high mountain. To climb it, you need to be in good health and in good physical condition, a good previous experience is Kilimanjaro, which is also part of the 7 peaks, Cerro Plata or Nevado San Francisco.
To reach Mount Elbrus, you must book your flight to Moscow, but if you can, enjoy at least one day in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. Once you’re in Eastern Europe, don’t miss the opportunity to suddenly stop over in Istanbul or even extend your trip to countries in the Caucasus, like Georgia or Armenia.
To step on the highest point in Europe, we go in parts. Our acclimatization will be done in valleys close to Elbrus. The region has an exclusive cable car system, which was built on the south side of the mountain from 1959 to 1976. The cable car reaches 3,658 m.
Although it is a mountain that is not technical, the biggest challenge is snow, cold, strong winds and a high altitude. Another unique feature of Elbrus is the system of refuges to rest, including Barrels Hut, which are located at 3,962 m.
It is considered among the most accessible of the Seven Summits. The typical climbing season is from May to September and the weather is more likely to rise in July and August, when the weather is more stable.
REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory rescue insurance – Hire GLOBAL RESCUE
Fill out the medical form and have it approved by the guide
Passport valid with 6 months before expiration and a free page
Have a flexible flight if necessary to change due to bad weather conditions
Medical certificate of good physical health
Yellow Fever Vaccine with ANVISA International Certificate
Multi-day Trekking Experience
Good cardio-vascular training
Willingness to have fun
Minimum number of participants
Read all information available on the website
Day 1 – Arrival in Moscow
Someone from our logistics team will wait for you at the airport and take you to your 4-star hotel in the heart of Moscow. The journey between the airport and the hotel takes 1:20 hours. Today you will meet the rest of the team and the expedition leader. Included: transport, hotel and breakfast.
Day 2 – Citytour in Moscow
Today we will know the main points of Moscow with a Russian guide. It is a great opportunity to learn about the architecture of the Russian capital, its culture and history. *** See itinerary at the end of the post
After the tour we will take an early domestic flight to Mineralnye Vody. From there we will have a transfer that will take us to the Baksan valley at an altitude of 2200 meters, in the village of Terskol. We will stay in a beautiful hotel called Azau Star, which is 20 meters from the cable car that takes us to our altitude refuge. Today you will meet local guides and the expedition leader will check all the equipment you have brought. Included: Domestic flight, hotel, breakfast, transportation, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 – Acclimatization in Cheget – 3200m
Just to get used to the altitude, we will go to the Cheget ski station and do an acclimatization hike up to 3200m. From there we will have a beautiful view of Elbrus. In the afternoon we will rent and buy all the necessary equipment at a local store called Alp Industria. Included: Hotel, breakfast, transportation, cable car, trail snack and dinner.
Day 5 – Cable car to the National Park refuges – 3750m
Today we’re taking a 3-stage cable car to the refuge complex called NatPark. After lunch we go for a walk above 4000m to ensure a good acclimatization. Included: Hotel, Breakfast, transportation, cable car, trail snack, dinner and night in refuge
Day 6 – Acclimatization walk – 4200m
We will learn all the necessary techniques to climb the Elbrus: falls with piolet and self-restraint, use of fixed ropes, stringing, use of crampons, use of piolets, etc. Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and night in refuge
Day 7 – Acclimatization to the Pastukhov rock – 4700m
This will be our last acclimatization hike to guarantee a good climb the next day. We will go to a rock in the middle of the glacier called Pastukhov. We will not have technical or steep stretches but it takes 4 to 6 hours of walking. Overnight at Barrels. Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and night in refuge
Day 8 – Day of rest and preparation in Barrels – 3750m
We will prepare our things for the climb the next day and go to bed early. Included: Refuge, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9 – Elbrus summit day – 5642m
Today we will leave at 2 or 3 in the morning to attack the summit and it will take about 12 hours to go up and down. We will hitch a ride on a Snowcat (snow leveler) until Pastukhov Rocks at 4750m and from there we will go to the summit. On the way back, Snowcat will be waiting for us. If everyone is fine, we will go straight down to Terskol, otherwise we will sleep in NatPark. Included: Refuge, Snowcat, Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10 – Extra day in case of bad weather
Day 11 – Descent to Mineralnye Vody and flight to Moscow.
It will take 3 hours by road to the local airport. We will arrive 2 hours before our flight. Included: Flight, Hotel, breakfast and transportation.
Day 12 – Flight back home.
***On our Moscow CITY TOUR we will visit:
Having good mountaineering equipment is one of the key points to have a successful expedition to Aconcagua. Please note all your personal equipment will be checked by one of our guides in the hotel. You can easily rent or purchase all necessary mountaineering equipment in Mendoza. Find out rental prices in our FAQ.
In which hotel are we staying in Moscow? And in Terskol?
In Moscow we will stay at the 4-star Hotel Mandarin. And in Terskol we will use the 4 star Azau Star Hotel which even has a heated pool! The Hotel in Moscow can be changed according to availability and cost.
I don’t have any equipment, can I rent them in Russia?
Yes. All equipment can be rented in Terskol. If you only bring a blouse, hat and basic clothes, you can rent everything else in Terskol for approximately $ 500. The equipment in the store we chose in Terskol is of excellent quality and well maintained. Prices are for the whole expedition (5 days of mountain):
– Anorak jacket – $ 60 USD
– Anorak pants – $ 43 USD
– Thin gloves – $ 11 USD
– Crampons – $ 28 USD
– Carabiner and string kit – $ 17 USD
– Backpack 30 liters – $ 25 USD
– Mitton – $ 30 USD
– Crossing Piolet – $ 17 USD
– Thermos – $ 9 USD
– Trekking stick – $ 17 USD
– Sleeping bag (0 degrees comfort) – $ 48 USD
– Double boot – $ 50 USD
– Down Jacket – $ 43 USD
– Ski visor – $ 17 USD
– Snow sunglasses – $ 20 USD
– Headband – $ 13 USD
– Gaiters – $ 16 USD
– Harness – $ 16 USD
Why do I need harness and helmet? I saw that other companies don’t ask for that.
We works with a high level of security. On the summit day there is a snow ramp that is not technical but can be dangerous if someone falls. For this we will give a training on how to stop a fall with a piollet and crampons. Depending on the size of the team, we will attach ropes to this ramp, further increasing its safety.
I was told that in Elbrus it is very cold, can a 0 degree sleeping bag withstand the cold?
Yes! We will not sleep in tents and in the refuge the temperature will not be below 0 degrees. We have electric heaters inside each refuge and the temperature is unlikely to reach less than 5 degrees Celsius overnight.
Are we going to stay in Barrels refuges? I heard that they are kind of old.
No. When we say Barrels we refer to the Garabashi refuge complex, they are very comfortable private havens. Our complex is called NatPark, they are the most luxurious havens there.
Do I need to bring thermal insulation?
No. Our refuges already have mattresses.
I think this 35-liter backpack you ask for is kind of small. What do you think?
At no time on the normal Elbrus route do we need a backpack to carry cargo from one place to another. A 35 liter backpack is more than enough.
What kind of training do I need to have to climb Elbrus?
Elbrus is a very COLD mountain. We recommend you to have some kind of experience in snowy mountains. We recommend that you start cardio-vascular training at least 2 months before. We will give you all the technical training to increase your safety on the summit push.
What if I need to be rescued?
We can organize rescues easily with local resources anytime. The costs will be charged to your travel insurance later. We recommend that you hire the rescue company GLOBAL RESCUE which is our partner and is the best rescue company in the world.
What’s included:
What is not included:
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