Mt Elbrus, Russia

In more detail... (standard 10 day from South route) Day 1 ~ MinVody / hotel Upon arrival into Minerlanye Vody airport you are personally met and transferred 4 hours to your hotel at the foothills of Elbrus. Overnight Semerka Hotel (D) Day 2 ~ Acclimatization hike to Cheget After breakfast, you walk from the hotel to Cheget. When you reach Cheget village you use ski lifts to get as high as possible and follow the mountain edge to the summit of Cheget Mountain 3,600m (11,800ft). If the weather is good we can spend 40 mins on the top for pictures and then go down to Cheget village again and have lunch at a local cafe. On the way back you can visit a mineral spring and also do any last minute equipment hire. Overnight Semerka Hotel (B,L,D) Day 3 ~ Acclimatization hike to Elbrus slopes After breakfast you start from the mountain lodge and ride cable lifts. Lifts take you to Garabashi lift station, the place where The Barrels huts are situated 3,800m. From the Barrels the snow and ice actually begin. It takes about 1 hour to get to the former Priut-11 hut site 4,100m. Now, the Diesel hut is situated there and some other huts nearby. If you feel alright then you continue to the beginning of Pastukhov rocks 4,400m. You have to be back to Garabashi station by 4pm to catch the lifts. Lunch at Azau cafe. Overnight Semerka Hotel (B,L,D) Day 4 ~ Base Camp After breakfast you start from the mountain lodge with all necessary climbing gear. You can leave your unnecessary gear at the hotel. You set your base camp at the Barrels huts 3,900m (12,800ft). You will carry your own equipment/clothes from the hotel to lifts (5mins) and from lifts to the huts (5 mins). Sometimes the lifts are closed to the huts and you may need to walk longer (40mins) on a good trail, so you must have a backpack for your gear. After a short rest and tea you start to hike up to the beginning of the Pastuckhov rocks and probably higher 4,300m (14,100ft). Depending on the weather and time your guide may offer a short snow/ice/rope/self-belay techniques. We assume most climbers are novice and so in event of safety, guides will take control over all aspects. Lunch  

Climbing Mt Elbrus is long and strenuous. It is not technically difficult but usually requires crampons. No previous experience or climbing skills required. Located in the western Caucasus mountain range, Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe (or western Asia). An off-the-beaten track peak in the Seven Summits series.

Mt Elbrus, Russia

and dinner at Barrels hut. Overnight Barrels hut (B,L,D) Day 5 ~ Acclimatization hike After breakfast you start from the hut and will try to ascend as high as possible up to 5,000m higher than the Pastuckhov rocks. You return to Barrels hut. Overnight Barrels hut (B,L,D)  

Day 6 ~ Rest day Today is a rest day before the summit day, its recommended to not do a strenuous hike and not go higher than 4,300m (14,100ft) and return to the hut for rest and all meals. Overnight Barrels hut (B,L,D)  

Day 7 ~ Summit You awake early in the morning (about 2am) and leave the Barrels after breakfast at about 3am. the idea is to meet sunrise somewhere over the Pastuckhov rocks. It is possible to hire a snow cat and saves 2 hours. Or you continue hiking to the summit which takes on average 7 hours to reach the top and 3 hours to descend to the Barrels. Overnight Barrels hut (B,L,D)  

Day 8 ~ Spare weather day (or return to hotel) In case of bad weather, this spare day serves as the summit day. If not, then today you descend to the mountain hotel and have a rest day with short hikes around the area or last minute shopping in the town. Breakfast at Barrels, lunch at Azau cafe, and dinner at lodge. Overnight Semerka Hotel (B,L,D)  

Day 9 ~ Spare day (or last hiking day) In case of bad weather this day is used as the descent day. In case of bad weather for a few days, this will be the very last day to do a summit attempt. If this day is a summit attempt, you will need to descend into the valley and this will make for a very long day. If you made the summit then there are options for hikes; mineral springs, hike to side valley. Overnight Semerka Hotel (B,L,D)  

Day 10 ~ Depart Today you are transferred 4 hours to Minerlanye Vody airport to catch your onward flights. (B)  

 

END OF SERVICES

Mt Elbrus, Russia

Includes: private airport transfers, all accommodation & meals, all permit fees, full service trek with private professional mountain guide, equipment: ropes, tents, cooking supplies, porters carry equipment, clients carry only personal belongings (clients bring own sleeping bags, boots, crampons) Excludes: International airfare, entry Visas, items of a personal nature, tips & gratuities, flights to/from MinVody airport, expenses in case of emergency or hospitalization, personal gear; sleeping bag, boots, crampons

Mt Elbrus, Russia

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