Mount Elbrus climb (with accommodation at the mountain shelters): описание

Ascent to the highest summit of Europe and Russia, "the mountain of happiness" - Elbrus.

This tour is special because we stay in hotel and travel light most of the time. Tents are not used.

Why do people go to the mountains? This question bothers people who haven't seen them yet. For those who have such question just doesn't exist anymore. If you go to the mountains you'll definitely feel the need to climb higher and higher for your own reason - to create beautiful memories and be proud of yourself, to know that you are capable of anything.

Climbing Mt. Elbrus requires strength endurance and good physical condition. The most difficult part is the summit day (one day). If you don't have a goal to conquer the peak or want to take a family member - it's absolutely OK, acclimatisation trekking is easy and available for everyone. You can always stay in the mountain shelter if you decide not to go any further.

Keep in mind that the better your physical training is, the more likely you will reach the top and not turn back in the middle of the climb. You can test your strengths during the acclimatisation hike and make a decision.

During the hike, we stay at hotels and mountain huts (shelters) and travel light. There's always an extra day so if the weather conditions don't allow us to ascend, we can wait and have more chances to reach the peak.

The safety of our guests is our highest priority. All our groups register at MCHS (Rescue Centre) and, depending on the number of participants, have additional local guide for the summit day.

18+ only.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1

Meeting at the railway station of Mineralnye Vody.

Transfer to Terskol village (3 hours), which is located at 2000 meters above sea level.

Visit to Aushiger hot springs on the way, where we can swim in the healing thermal pool.

Accommodation in local hotel upon arrival. We'll take a walk along the Baksan river valley to Narzan Glade, you can also run for better acclimatisation.

In the evening we'll get to know each other more and your guide will tell everything about acclimatisation and other specifics of the upcoming adventure.

DAY 2

Breakfast at hotel. Acclimatisation ascent of Mount Cheget. There is a beautiful view of the two-headed giant Elbrus on one side and glaciers of the Greater Caucasus mountain range on the other.

Upon returning to the village we go to the equipment rental center and take everything we need for the climb.

In the evening we'll test and adjust personal equipment.

Dinner. Rest.

DAY 3

Today we leave our hotel (by the way - you can keep any unnecessary belongings here). For the ascent of Elbrus we use a cable car to take us to the height of 3750 meters.

Acclimatisation hike to «Refuge of the 11» (4200 m). First experience of walking using crampons and trekking poles.

Although we travel light today, the higher we get the more we feel a range of symptoms from the altitude - for example, shortness of breath.

If the weather is fine we'll see a magnificent view of majestic peaks of Greater Caucasus mountain range (Ushba, Donguzorun, Nakra, Kogutai, Shkhel'da) and two peaks of Elbrus.

Dinner. A talk with a guide about the next day.

Night at Bochki (Barrels) Camp.

DAY 4

We go to Diesel Hut at the altitude of 4100 while our backpacks are being transported by snowcats.

The shelter has rooms for 6-12 people. Simple conditions, no electricity, but we're here for the main goal - acclimatisation.

At this altitude, you can already feel symptoms of mountain sickness, although some people may not have them at all. After lunch we hike to Pastukhov rocks (up to a height of 4400 and higher).

Return to the shelter, dinner, free time.

DAY 5

Today we practice walking on show and ice with crampons, use ice axe and learn various techniques such as self belay and self arrest.

Next day is the summit day! An interesting lecture from the guides will help you understand everything about our most rewarding day. Please take it seriously.

Dinner.

Tonight we go to sleep early.

DAY 6

Summit day.

If the weather is fine, we rise around 1 am, have breakfast, make a health check and equipment check and start to ascend (you can stay in the shelter if you don’t feel like going).

We try to conquer the Western (highest) peak of Elbrus (5642 m) by the classic route. The climb to the top usually takes 8-12 hours.

“What if I want to turn back?” - that desire usually appears in the very beginning of the climb (at Pastukhov rocks) or at the Saddle (which is a mountain pass between Western and Eastern peaks). In that case one of the guides will accompany you back to the camp, while others will continue to ascend.

We walk with crampons and trekking poles in hands, but before the summit trekking poles will be replaced with ice axes. Our way goes along Pastukhov rocks, which we have seen before during acclimatisation hikes.

After a rest stop, we continue ascending to the top.

On the way we meet a beautiful sunrise above the mountains of Greater Caucasus mountain range. After crossing Slanting Shelf, we go to the saddle (mount pass between Western and Eastern peaks of Elbrus) and then go up the steep trail to the plateau of Western peak.

We can already see the highest point ahead, just need to make final efforts!

Finally, we're on the top! Summit views are breathtaking - we can see all the mountains surrounding Elbrus and countless valleys of Russia and Georgia.

Climbing a mountain is never easy, probably we'll be very tired and feel leg weakness. A cup of hot tea and a chocolate will help us come to our senses.

Fatigue will gradually recede and we’ll realise - “We did it!”. Our endless walk up the snowy slope in the light of the moon, stars, and headlamp lanterns was not in vain.

We must capture the moment and take a picture from the top. What an amazing feeling!

The group should reach the top by 13:00. After that, we must start descending down, no matter how far we climbed.

Descent from the mountain takes 4-6 hours.

Night in the mountain shelter.

DAY 7

Extra day for conquering the summit (in case of bad weather the day before).

Back to the hotel in Terskol.

Free time.

A walk to the waterfalls, Narzan Glade, Cheget market place, cafes with "shashlik" (barbeque) and other traditional Caucasian dishes.

You can purchase hats with the "Elbrus" sign, as well as mittens, scarves and socks, made by local "babushkas" (grandmothers).

Festive dinner and evening discussion about the journey.

Summing it all up, we'll present you the Certificates of successful ascent to the highest point of Russia and Europe.

Night in the hotel.

DAY 8

Breakfast.

Group transfer to Mineralnye Vody. Don't forget anything or anyone! :)

The program is designed for 8 days, one of which is an extra day for the summit or additional acclimatisation.

The guide has exclusive competence to make the decision to stop ascending if anything threatens the safety of participants.

Participants who decide not to go to the summit and descend to Terskol must wait in the hotel at their own expense