The highest European point - Mount Elbrus is a dream for many mountaineers all over the world. It is a crater of an extinct volcano on a side ridge of the Russian Caucasus Mountains. Its double-headed snow covered peak and its glaciers (the longest of them is 8,2 km) are traditional targets for many climbers. The high altitude (835 meters higher than Mont Blanc), accompanied by lack of oxygen and strong wind are the main difficulties climbers face on the way to the Elbrus top. Yet those whoreached the top enjoy the right to be considered true climbers - which is one reason this route is so popular.
Highlights:
♦ Caucasus Mountains range, stretching about 1,127 kilometers (about 700 miles) between Black and Caspian seas
♦ The highest point of Europe - Mt. Elbrus
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival at the Mineralnye Vody airport (MRV) before 2 p.m. There are several flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg and international flights arriving from Istanbul and Yerevan. Our guide will be awaiting you outside the arrival hall. Once everyone has arrived, the bus leaves the airport heading to the town of Terskol. The drive will take 3 - 3.5 hours. Upon arrival at the hotel you will have some free time for resting and taking a shower, then dinner and first briefing with the guide. -/-/D
Day 2. After breakfast the group will go for its first acclimatization day. Today you'll ascend the peak Terskol (3100 m) or Mt. Cheget (3100 m), this depends on weather conditions. The hike will take 4-5 hours. Overnight at hotel. B/L/D
Day 3.Acclimatization to Old Observatory 3200 m. Second acclimatization day. Hike to the Old Observatory (3200 meters) and visiting the famous Maiden's Braids waterfall.B/L/D
Day 4. Check-out from the hotel. Transportation to the mountain shelter by cable-car Lifting by the cable car and check-in at the mountain shelter at 3850 meters. Short acclimatization walk up to 4100 meters. Training in walking with crampons and using an ice ax (walking and hacking on a snow-ice slope). B/L/D
Day 5. Acclimatization to 4800 m. Early rise. Acclimatization hike up to 4800 - 5000 meters. B/L/D
Day 6. Day-off. Day off. We will spend this day at the shelter preparing to ascend. B/L/D
Day 7. Summit day. Early rise at midnight. The ascent will take from 8 to 12 hours, the descent will take additional 2-3 hours. Depending on the condition of the group, we may descent by cable car to Terskol and go back to Pyatigorsk. If the ascent takes more time, we spent overnight at the shelter B/L/D
Day 8. Reserve day that might be used in case of bad weather. B/-/-
Day 9. Departure
Good to know:
♦ The arrival transfer on day 1 is scheduled according to the flight arriving at Mineralnye Vody before 14 h. While the departure transfer is scheduled according flights departing after 9.30am.
♦ Mountaineering insurance is highly recommended for climbing Mount Elbrus
Gallery
Tours of this level demand that you be really in good shape. The paths are not always in the best condition and the marking can be scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions /even in midsummer/ play an important role when trekking/cycling at a very high altitude and may cause changes of the preliminary route. This is to be decided by the mountain guide on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6/8h per day, but some can be longer. Preliminary hiking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in a good shape. Note that during some of the days, you should personally carry your baggage, which is naturally an additional difficulty. No rock/ice climbing experience is needed.
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