Get ready to use your ice axe and crampons to climb the highest peak in Europe standing at 5,642m. Embrace the beautiful caucasus mountain range and learn all the skills you need along the way
Test your resolve on the highest mountain in Europe. Elbrus is a double-cone volcano that stands as a watchtower between Europe and Asia. This is by no means an easy climb - strong winds and extreme cold are obstacles along your way to the summit. Don’t worry though, all the skills you need to take on Elbrus can be taught on the expedition. All you need is a good level of fitness and a whole lot of grit
For those who have been on a mountain before and want to take the challenge up to the next level, welcome aboard! Elbrus is an introduction to snowy climbs and some basic climbing techniques. You don’t need to have any experience in technical climbing or the use of ice axe and crampons, however we recommended that you have been on a mountain before, something like Kilimanjaro or Toubkal, so your focus can be put to learning new skills.
Once you’ve successfully completed this climb, you will have gained the necessary experience to climb on Island Peak, Gran Paradiso, and Stok Kangri.
After Breakfast, our plan is to do an acclimatization hike up Cheget Peak to c.3,000m. Overnight stay in hotel in town.
The first 2 days you will be going on acclimatization hikes on smaller mountains around the area which are covered in grass fields. Once you are on Elbrus, everything will turn into white as the mountain is completely covered in snow. You will learn how to walk in crampons and how to use your ice axe to help you along the ridges.
Elbrus is climbed in the summer only because of its high altitude and cold winter months. The season starts in June and ends in September. The weather on the mountains is unpredictable and can change anytime. But generally speaking, during the summer months, Elbrus has sunny mornings and pretty cold nights. While on the mountain in the mornings, the sun reflection on the snow keeps you slightly warm but once the sun goes down it gets cold so make sure you have the recommended gear with you to keep you comfortable. May/June; This is when climbing season begins on Elbrus so the weather is still a bit cold and might get windy but it is generally calmer than July and August. In July the summer sun begins to kick in and the mountain gets a bit warmer. August is the peak season of climbing Elbrus as it has the warmest weather so it tends to be more crowded. In September the weather starts to get colder again as autumn starts to kick in but it is still a good time to climb but you will need to make sure you have warmer gear.
While on the mountain, you will have 3 energy filled meals every day, such as porridge and eggs for breakfast, soup, veggies and meat for lunch, soup and pasta for dinner. We try to accommodate all dietary requirements if mentioned in advance.
On this trip, there will be 2 places where you're staying. The first 3 nights will be spent at the hotel in the village, while you go for acclimatization hikes around the area and come back down. Once you are up on the mountain, your home for the coming 3-4 days will be in the barrel huts. These huts are made of metal to keep you warm while inside, each having 8-12 comfortable beds.
Overall Difficulty
Technical Skills
Days
Fitness level
Altitude
$2,850
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of a booking or failure to join a trip will result in retention of funds by Wild Guanabana as follows:
- Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the trip 45 days or longer prior to departure, 25% of the total trip price of the canceling party will be retained by Wild Guanabana and the balance of the package price refunded.
- If a cancellation is received at least 21 days and up to 44 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by Wild Guanabana.
- If a cancellation is received less than 21 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by Wild Guanabana and all outstanding payments will become payable immediately.
A non-refundable admin fee of $100 per person is retained by Wild Guanabana automatically once a payment is made.
Wild Guanabana reserves the right to terminate, at their discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the trip with the aforementioned policy applicable.
