Elbrus

Summit day climbing

Trip Information:

Location: Caucasus Range, Russia
Summit Elevation: 18,880 ft. (5642m)
Days: 13
Dates: August 13-25, 2012
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Group Size: 6 Clients

Just 4 Spaces Remaining
Cost of Trip: USD $4,200

Trip begins in Moscow, Russia

Trip Description:

Recent Trip Results: July 2010 - 100% Summit Success 8 of 8 climbers

Elbrus Climbing Expedition
St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow
Join Mountain Professionals for a climb of this beautiful and accessible mountain in the heart of Baksan Valley of the Caucasus Mountain Range.

First climbed in 1829, Mt. Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and an excellent experience for the aspiring mountaineer. Standing 18,510 feet above sea level, Elbrus is the perfect challenge for those who have had some experience with mountaineering and are looking to test themselves at high altitude or on the 7 summits quest to climb all of the highest summits on each of the seven continents. Elbrus is a great next step on the road to peaks such as Aconcagua with Mountain Professionals.

Elbrus is accessible from Moscow via an internal flight to the town of Mineralnye Vody. From here we take a 3 hour private van transport to the mountain village of Cheget and acclimatize in route to the mountain. We will spend several nights in the village to take in the views and culture before making our way to the start of the climb. A short drive brings us to the base of the mountain and a cable car ride to the Low Huts. Here we will take a day to relax, hike and acclimatize. Elbrus Climbing Expedition
Taking a break on Elbrus

The following day we will ride an additional chairlift up to our high camp location at the Pruit Hut. This will be our base for the climb to the summit. We will use the slopes above to acclimatize and review basic skills. From the hut we will make a final climb up to the Pastokhov Rocks at 15,000' in order to properly acclimatize prior to our summit climb.

The route travels via moderate snow and ice slopes up the glacier. After several hours ascending snow the slopes above Pastokhov Rocks, we begin to traverse toward the saddle between the East and West summits. A traverse along moderate terrain, leads to the West summit of Elbrus.

After the climb we will join in a celebration dinner back in the hotel and then transport back to Moscow for the culmination of the expedition.

Elbrus Expedition Video:

Elbrus expedition video on Vimeo.

Projected Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Moscow transport to our hotel for rest
Day 2: Expedition overview, gear check & private tour of Moscow sights and famous landmarks
Day 3: Transport to Mineralyne Vody via internal flight and hotel in Baksan Valley
Day 4: Day hike and acclimatization via chairlifts in Cheget up to 11,800 ft.
Day 5: Ride the cable car to the Low Hut, acclimatization walk, stay in hut
Day 6: Ride the cable car to Pruit Hut, use this hut as base for our climb 14,000 ft.
Day 7: We climb to acclimatize to the Pastukhov Rocks located at over 15,000 ft.
Day 8: Summit day to the West summit of Elbrus
Day 9: Extra day for summit attempt
Day 10: Extra day for summit attempt
Day 11: Return to the valley and overnight in the Hotel Povorot
Day 12: Transport to Mineralyne Vody airport and return to Moscow hotel
Day 13: Moscow Airport transfer/Flights home