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Why take this trip

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

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Who is this for

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.

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What’s next

Once you’ve successfully completed this climb, you will have gained the necessary experience to climb on Island Peak, Gran Paradiso, and Stok Kangri.

Once you arrive to Mineralnye Vody airport (MRV), you will be met by a Wild Guanabana representative who will be accompanying you on the 4 hour drive to Terskol in the Baksan Valley at c.2,000m which is the village of Mount Elbrus. Today will be a free day to rest after the long flight and explore the town. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast and a brief team meeting with our local guides, we perform a final gear check and organize rentals for those who need it. Today’s plan is an acclimatization hike up Cheget Peak to c.3,600m. Overnight stay in hotel in town.
After a good breakfast, we take the bus over to Azau Station at 2,356m and take a 40-minute cable car ride up to the white wide-open snowfields of Elbrus. We will pass several refuges standing at different altitudes and, after about 1.5 hours of hiking, we reach the famous refuge of 11 at 4,100 m that was burnt down in 1998. Here we spend a couple of hours on snow training and go back down to the hotel. Overnight in hotel in town.
We pack our stuff and head back the cable cars taking us to our home for the coming few days on the mountain. We settle our things at the hut then climb a little higher than the day before, gaining more altitude in preparation for the final acclimatization push. Overnight on the mountain.
This is the final acclimatization day before the final push for the summit. Ascent to the infamous Pastukhova rocks will take between 3 to 5 hours and descent 1 to 2 hours. Today we will also discuss the summit plan and tactics. Overnight on the mountain.
We take a rest day before the final summit push and also go over some necessary mountains and safety skills for the summit climb ahead. Rest is also great for more acclimatization. Overnight on the mountain.
Today’s summit day! We leave base camp at about 3am. When ascending, we can take a lift with a Snow Cat to the top of Pastukhov Rocks (4,750 m). From the saddle (5,300 m) between the two summits, a snow slope of 30 – 35 degrees (about 150 m) leads to the summit plateau, from where the stunningly contrasting views to south and north open up. After reaching the summit and taking some awesome pictures, we will head back to the refuge for a quick lunch then start descending back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel
Today is reserved in case we need to reattempt the summit. If we complete a successful ascent on day 7, the rest of the day will be spent at the hotel with a celebratory party in the evening!
After doing the mandatory PCR test, we will spend this day at our leisure to relax and recharge
Today we’re being transferred to Mineralnye Vody airport to catch our flights back home
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Terrain

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.

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Weather

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.

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Food

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.

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Accomodation

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.

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Overall Difficulty

C

Technical Skills

/5

Days

/5

Fitness level

/5

Altitude

Technical Skills

No experiences is needed: Anyone can join this trip.
Minimal experience: You should probably have some hiking experience to join this trip. It is advisable to have gone on a hike for at least 2 days prior to joining this trip.
Moderate experience: You should have some climbing experience to join this trip. It is advisable to have been on at least a 4-day climb before joining this trip.
Technical experience: You should have technical climbing experience before joining this trip. It is recommended that you have experience with crampons, skis, ropes and belays.
Advanced technical experience: You should have technical climbing experience to join this trip. Depending on the climb, you will need a specific set of skills.

fitness level

Occasional workout, no fixed routine.
Workout routine with at least 2-3 workouts a week, overall in good shape. Trekking days on this trip are around 3-4 hours long each day with little elevation.
Workout routine with at least 4-5 workouts a week, overall in great shape. Trekking days on this trip are around 4-5 hours long each day with moderate elevation.
Workout routine with at least 5 workouts a week. Trekking days on this trip are around 5-7 hours long each day with high elevation.
Specified workout routine with at least 5 workouts a week as well as technical training. Trekking days on this trip are 8 hours long each day with extreme elevation.

Altitude

1,500m - 2,999m
3,000m - 4,499m
4,500m - 5,999m
6,000m - 7,499m
7,500m - 8,999m

Climbing Days

0 - 4 Days
5 - 9 Days
10 - 12 Days
13 - 15 Days
16+ Days

PRICE

$2,700

best time to travel:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

PRICE INCLUDES

    • Price based on 6 pax
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D)
    • All transport
    • All accommodation
    • Group climbing and first aid equipment
    • Professional and English speaking Russian Guides 
    • Ski-lift and mountain climbing permits and fees  

PRICE EXCLUDES

    • International flight
    • Visa Fee
    • Excess baggage & Airport Taxes
    • Personal expenses (Phone calls, drinks, gifts and laundry)
    • Personal Health & Travel insurance
    • Vaccinations  (We send a detailed list)
    • Personal gear on our gear list
    • Gear rental available at additional cost (Let us know if you would need any)
    • Snow Cat vehicle fees for the summit attempt 
    • Costs associated with an early descent off the mountain
    • Tips and Gratuity

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