Mount Elbrus
fromExperience one of the renowned ‘Seven Summits situated between the Black Sea to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east, Look down from the summit of Europe and experience the cultural wonders of enigmatic Russia.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Hiking
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Mountain
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Activity Level Moderate
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Group Size Medium Group
Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, is a giant dormant volcano that separates Europe from Asia. The straightforward yet spectacular climb is contrasted by the cultural wonders of enigmatic Russia. With short 10, 11 or 14 day options, the Elbrus Expedition is an ideal objective as your first or second of the Seven Summits. Climbing Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, perfectly immerses you into expedition climbing and gaining experience with the acclimatization process. The gentle slopes of Mount Elbrus beckon climbers in a range reminiscent of the Alps. Jagged peaks with glaciers that flow into mountain valleys dotted with pine forests, alpine meadows, and remote villages welcome visitors traveling into this mountain paradise. Route: Elbrus has two Summits, the east (5621m) and the west (5642m), the normal and main climbing route South Route takes you to the West Summit (5642m)
Mount Elbrus in Russia is one of the most approachable climbs of the Seven Summits and an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to become familiar with high altitude climbing and learn or solidify technical mountaineering skills like cramponing, self-arrest and fixed-line climbing
Expedition Highlights
- Stand on the roof of Europe!
- Get a taste of high-mountain adventure on one of the Seven Summits
- Experience non-technical moderate-altitude mountaineering
- Combine iconic climbing with culture and the best sightseeing in Russia
- Experience the undiscovered and uncrowded Caucasus Mountain Range.
- Unwind and celebrate with a traditional Russian “Banya” (sauna)
- Airport transfers and escort in Rusia
- Hotel Accommodation in Terskol: 3 nights hotel in Treskol on twin sharing basis with breakfast
- Experienced guide 1:3 ratio on the mountain
- All necessary permits
- All meals while on the trip
- Accommodation during trip
- Base Camp Equipment: Base camp tent / dining / Kitchen / Toilet / Tables & chairs / cooking gears on sharing basis
- All guided sightseeing
- All ground transportation
- International airfares
- Russian visa
- Personal Trekking and climbing equipment
- Lunch & Dinner in hotel (also in case of early return from Trekking / Expedition than the scheduled itinerary).
- Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone, and laundry.
- Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage, and personal effects.
- Tips & Gratuities to porters and guides
- We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.
- Day 1 Depart Home Country
- Day 2 Arrive St Petersburg, Russia. Team meeting, welcome meal and gear check.
- Day 3 St Petersburg tour. View the incredible architecture, visit the Hermitage Museum with its art classics and the remarkable Peter and Paul Fortress.
- Day 4 Depart St Petersburg and fly to Mineralnye Vody. Travel by coach to Terskol in Baksan Valley.
- Day 5 Acclimatisation ascent (using ski lifts) of Cheget Mountain (3,600m/11,800ft). Stay in a local hotel.
- Day 6 4WD to a waterfall (2,700m/ 8,850ft), acclimatisation hike to Ice Camp (3,700m/12,100ft). Return to the hotel.
- Day 7 Ride ski lifts. Acclimatisation hike. Overnight stay in the newly renovated Heart of Elbrus Hut (3,900m/12,800ft) on the slopes of Elbrus.
- Day 8 Acclimatisation hike to the Obelisk (4,100m/13,450ft).
- Day 9 Acclimatisation hike to Pastukhov Rocks (4,600m/15,100ft), return to the hut.
- Day 10 Summit day. Leave hut about 3am for the climb of Elbrus’ west summit (5,642m/18,510ft). Overnight in the hut.
- Day 11 Spare summit day. Overnight in hut.
- Day 12 Spare summit day, descend to the valley and return to hotel.
- Day 13 Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Fly to Moscow, stay at a hotel.
- Day 14 City tour in Moscow, visit famous Russian landmarks like the Kremlin, Red Square and enjoy the modern Russian culture in this entertaining city
- Day 15 Depart hotel for the airport. Fly home.
Having the right equipment on your adventure trips will make almost as much difference to your success, safety, comfort, and enjoyment as any physical training you do. It is essential that you take the time to acquire the correct gear; don’t wait for the last minute to find out your local shop doesn’t have your size. This equipment is expensive, but you can often find great sales online and at your local gear store. The purpose of this gear list is to help guide your purchases.
This list is a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment, unless otherwise noted. Using our current suggested brand list we encourage you to shop around, do research, use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you.
During your time in the mountains, you will encounter a very wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. At one end of this range is the pleasantly warm and beautiful low land, while at the other end of the spectrum is found the cold and often windy weather of the highest peaks in the world. The equipment you bring must function well in a wide variety of conditions. Your clothing should be warm, lightweight, dry quickly, and allow good freedom of movement. The layering principle, based on several thin layers of insulation (rather than one thick one), covered with an outer weatherproof shell, meets these needs well.
A Note on Packing
For your international flights, we recommend that you pack all your equipment in your two duffle bags. Do not simply pack your backpack (since the straps can be damaged by the baggage handling machines). It is important to lock these bags for their trip. Depending on the airport, you may be able to put your travel locks on after TSA has searched the bags. If not, Lock the bags with Zip Ties. If the TSA cuts off the zip-tie to search your bag, they will replace it. You will still need the travel locks to lock your bags in the hotel and during the expedition. Generally, you will take one duffel up to Base Camp/on a trek , and leave one in the hotel in city hotel with your belongings for your time in the city. Your trek in duffel will only be accessible in the evenings (with items such as changes of clothing, sleeping bag), and your day pack will hold vitals such as water, layering, blister kit, and camera.
Important Notes:
- Don’t cut corners on the quality of gears
- Understand the function of each gear properly
- Acquire your gears well in advance
- Eliminate unnecessary luxuries
- Seasonal fluctuation will impact the requirement of gear
Tips:
- You can always rent gears if you are not willing to invest
- Check the sizes especially of boots before leaving for the mountain
- Wear summit socks while trying the boots
Travel items
- Travel wallet
- Hand sanitizer
- Swimwear for Russian banya spa (optional)
- 1x large duffel bag (with locks)
- Passport, personal travel documents including Russian visa
- Casual travel and in-town clothes
Upper Body
- 2x thermal long john tops (1 medium, 1light)
- 2x medium weight layers (i.e synthetic pile jacket, down jacket)
- 1 x shell jacket
- 1 x down parka with a hood
- 2 x buff neck gaiters
- 1 x facemask (buff)
- 1 x winter hat
- 1 x sunhat
- 1 x pair of fleece gloves
- 1 x pair of climbing gloves
- 1 x pair of 8000m mitts
- Chemical hand and foot warmers (optional)
- 2 x pairs of glacier glasses (1 as a spare set)
- 2 x pairs of goggles (1 clear lens, 1 cat 4 lens)
- 1 x sun hoodie
Lower Body:
- Trekking boots (medium weight)
- 2x pairs of trekking socks
- Double insulated Mountaineering Boots
- 2x pairs of climbing socks (1 thin, 1 thick)
- 2x pairs of thermal underlayers (1 medium, 1 light)2 x pairs of synthetic climbing pant (1medium,1 light)
- 1 x pair of full zip shell pants
- 3x pairs of synthetic underwear (travel, climbing, trekking)
- 2 x pairs of synthetic climbing pant (1 medium, 1 light)
- 1 x pair of insulated pants (medium weight)
- 1 x pair of full zip shell pants
- Heavy gaiters (only if your climbing boot doesn’t have built in gaiters)
Climbing / MSC Gear:
- Water treatment/purification
- Ear plugs
- Camera or camera phone
- 1x sleeping bag (rated to 0 degrees F)
- Personal toiletries
- Lip balm with spf
- Book/kindle
- Baby wipes
- Small medical kit including
- (Acetazolamide 125mg x 14 tablets,
- Dexamethasone 4mg x 4 tablets,
- Nifedipine 30 mg slow-release x 2 tablets)
- 1 roll toilet paper
- Pee bottle (1L wide opening nalgene) pee funnel for women
- 1 x large trashbag
- 2x headlamps (1 main, 1 as backup)
- Extra batteries for headlamp
- Battery bank/solar charger for devices
- 50-60L Climbing Pack
- Water bottles (2x 1L)
- Insulating bottle covers
- 1x Lightweight climbing harness
- 1x climbing sling (double length)
- 1x locking carabiners
- 3x non-locking carabiners
- 20ft of 8mm prussik cord
- Climbing helmet
- Alpine Ice axe
- 12 point crampons
- Trekking poles
- Pack cover
- 2x down sleeping bags (1x -20 & 1x -40)
- 2 x sleeping pads (1x closed cell, 1x inflatable)
- 2x headlamps
- Water bottles (either 2x 1L wide opening nalgene or 1x 1.5L & 1x 0.5L)
- Insulating bottle covers
- 3x compression sacks Multitool
- Altitude watch
- Sunscreen
- 5lbs/2kgs of snack food
- Gu energy gels & hydration tabs
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
Conclusion
As the weather condition is unpredictable in the mountain region, you need to be prepared at all times. A day can start sunny with clear skies and later become cold and windy at the high altitudes.
Sometimes, it can rain and snow during the trekking period. You need to remember that for a successful trekking journey, your physical comfort must be the first priority.
A total area of 53 square miles (138 square km) of Elbrus is covered by 22 glaciers, which feed the Kuban River and some of the headwaters of the Terek. Elbrus is a major centre for mountaineering and tourism in the Caucasus region.
Climbing Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft.) requires familiarity with snow and ice skills (up to 45-degree slopes), strength endurance, and strong cardiovascular conditioning. Just because you exercise regularly (four to six times per week) does not mean you have the conditioning needed to reach the summit
A Russian Banya is a traditional Russian spa experience that includes a hot sauna, a cold plunge pool/shower and an eating area. These can be a great way for the body to recover after the climb and we typically schedule one as a celebration when we get off the mountain if our itinerary allows so we recommend bringing your swimsuit.
It is a great authentic experience, but not compulsory and you do not have to join in this activity.
Climbers must have prior experience of similar peaks, including significant ascents in the Andes, Alps, Rockies, Caucasus or Himalayas. We will likely encounter long, steep snow and ice slopes with short steps of very steep ice or low-grade rock climbing, so mastery of basic mountaineering skills is a must.
The season for climbing Elbrus isMay to September, with July/August providing the most stable weather.