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MOUNT ELBRUS, Russia
- 9- Days - coming soon.
18,586 feet/ 5665m
EXPEDITION July 6, 2011
Description: One of the 7
summits at 5665m is Europe's highest mountain. Elbrus lies just north of the
main Caucasus Chain - a range almost 1000 miles long with a heavily glaciated
central section containing several summits rising well above 5000m. many of the
remote side valleys are seldom visited except in summer by shepherds. Pine
forests, alpine meadows, mineral springs, glacial rivers and periods of settled
weather complete the picture.
Cost
Being updated at this time:
- Check back September 15, 2010- for current price.
Route
Mineralnye Vody airport- Terskol- (Hotel Ozon
***)- Barrels on Elbrus- Elbrus top 5642m- Barrels on Elbrus- Terskol- (Hotel
Ozon)- Mineralnye Vody airport.
ITINERARY - 12 days - July 6- Start
in: St. Petersburg End in: Moscow
| Day 1 |
July 6 |
International flight to Russia
- trip starts in St. Petersburg - transfer to our preferred hotel where we
will meet. |
| Day 2 |
July 7 |
Sightseeing today in St.
Petersburg taking in the fascinating culture and history. A second night
will spent at the hotel while here. |
| Day 3 |
July 8 |
Fly from St. Petersburg to Mineralnye Vody.
Transfer (4 hours of bus ride) to Terskol village (2050 m) in the Baksan
valley near the foothills of Mt. Elbrus. Accommodation in a hotel |
| Day 4 |
July 9 |
Acclimatization hike
to.Terskol Valley (about 5 hours). Return to the hotel |
| Day 5 |
July 10 |
Acclimatization ascent of
Mt.Cheget (3461 m, about 5 hours). Return to the hotel. |
| Day 6 |
July 11 |
Transfer to Azau cable-car
station. Lift Azau (2100 m) - Garabashi (3750 m). Acclimatization hike to
4200 m. Descent to the Valley. Overnight in the hotel. |
| Day 7 |
July 12 |
Transfer to Azau cable-car
station. Lift Azau (2100 m) - Garabashi (3750 m).Check-in into Barrels
Hut. Acclimatization hike to the Pastukhov Rocks (4800 m). Return. 4-5
hours. Overnight in the Barrels. |
| Day 8 |
July 13 |
Rest in Barrels. |
| Day 9 |
July 14 |
Summit day. Leave the base
camp about 03 a.m. Climb of Elbrus western summit (5642 m). Return. 12-14
hours. Overnight in the Barrels. |
| Day 10 |
July 15 |
Descend to Terskol. Overnight
in a hotel. |
| Day 11 |
July 16 |
Transfer to Mineralnye Vody and
then fly to Moscow. An English speaking guide will join us during our
sightseeing in Moscow this day. We'll spend our final night in our
preferred hotel here. |
| Day 12 |
July 17 |
We'll visit Red Square and the
Kremlin during the day and then go to the airport to meet your
international flight home. |
Official Papers
- Valid passport
- 2 Copies of first page + visa
page of passport
- Airline tickets
- Voucher copy (a copy of the
form which was sent to you for obtaining visa).
- Border zone permission, other registrations
and permits - (your guide will have this for you).
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
Outerwear
- Insulated parka/jacket, down
or synthetic, rated to -15°C and able to fit over other sweater layers
- Rain jacket and pants side-leg
zippers are helpful), roomy and water repellent
Clothing
- Mid-weight fleece jacket
- Fleece pants or tights
- Mid-weight thermal underwear
tops and bottom
- Hiking pants/skirt
- Hiking shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts/blouses
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks
Footwear
- Hiking boots
- Camp shoes: running shoes or
trail shoes, sneakers
Mountaineering Gear
- Plastic boots or
crampon-compatible heavy leather mountaineering boots. Note: cool feet could
force you to turn back, or result in frostbite. We strongly recommend
plastic boots. The only but very important advantage of plastic boots is
that they may be dried easily on field. If you have your leather boots wet
on the first day most likely they will stay wet for the whole trip. Wet
boots may cause problems
- Skis with skins for
ski-touring and ski-touring boots and poles (sticks), Crampons for skis.
- Crampons
- Ice axe - An ice axe sometimes
is not necessary depending on current weather (snow conditions). However one
must have it in case it becomes necessary (your guide will advise before the
climb.
- Protectors for ice axe and
crampons; when you ride the chairlifts, they will often be crowded and an
unprotected axe or crampons can do damage).
- Headlamp
- Big backpack or a bag which
may be carried like a backpack (In case the 3rd leg of lifts is closed by
any reason you will be forced to carry your own personal gear to the base
camp on Elbrus. It is 0.5 - 1 hour walk depending on one's pace.)
- Flask (thermos bottle) .
- Small backpack for hikes and
summit climb.
- Windproof mask - in case of
cold strong wind
- Harness with a short piece of
rope for self-belay, 2 carabiners.
- Avalanche transceiver.
Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat
- Warm hat.
- Bandana
- Fleece windproof gloves.
- Thin liner gloves
- Waterproof over-mitts (to
protect gloves from snow)
- Balaclava
- Snow gaiters, knee-length (super-gaiters,
which cover the whole boot, are excellent)
City Clothing
- Lightweight easily washable
items for travel and daily wear
- Comfortable shoes
Travel Accessories
- Water bottles
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Sunglasses with retainer strap
(side-shields or glacier glasses highly recommended) or goggles or ski
glasses.
- Spare contact
lenses/glasses/sunglasses
- Sunblock and lip balm.
- Toiletry kit
- Small, quick-dry towel
- Hand sanitizer gel and Handi-wipes
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
- Large, heavy-duty plastic
trash bags
- Plastic bowl, cup and spoon
- Swimsuit - for a sunbath or
sauna. Local people do not like naked bodies at public places :)
- Personal first-aid kit.
- Any prescription or over the
counter medications used regularly (these will not be available in the
Caucasus).
- Watch/Travel alarm
- Rubber sink stopper for sinks
in hotel (generally, these are not available in Russian hotels)
- Adapter for any electrical
appliances. The 220V current in Russian outlets will ruin Western 110V
appliances.
- Knee supports- if used.
- Camera and spare
batteries
- Reading and writing materials
Supplemental food
- Range of goods in Russia is not same as in
your country so you may wish to bring some items that are probably not
available in Russia and which may make your trip more pleasurable:
- Your favourite: instant coffee, herbal teas,
powdered milk, sugar substitute, other power drinks, supplements or gels.
- Your favourite trail snacks.
- Vitamin supplements
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