Elbrus Europes highest peak (5642m)

In brief: Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain. One of the seven summits.

Elbrus is a large classic shaped volcano that stands on the border between Georgia and Russia. The mountain has two main summits; the Western summit at 5642 meters and the Eastern summit at 5621 meters. It's last eruption was around 50 AD, and it's large crater ( 400 meters in diameter) is now filled with ice and snow. It is the highest mountain in Europe and can be climbed by those familiar with basic Alpine climbing skills and offers the successful climber one of the much revered 7 summits. Elbrus's high altitude, lengthy and strenuous summit day (often in cold conditions) provide a valuable test of skills for those aspiring to climb at higher altitudes and is in itself a hugely rewarding experience. The mountain is in the Caucasus Mountains, which is one of the most rugged and little frequented mountain ranges in the world. An expedition to this area lends a unique blend of both Asia and Europe to the mountain experience and is often the start of frequent revisits. This program ultimately aims to ascend Elbrus peak but further aims to enhance the team's interest in the region by exploring the area's many hiking trails and doing acclimatisation climbs on the local peaks.

Itinerary

Day 1. Flight to Russia
Flight (usually evening flight) to Mineralnye Vody. Russia / Georgia border.

Day 2. Arrive Mineralnye Vody .
Bus transfer to the Terskol village, 3 - 4 hr. Terskol is situated in the Baksan valley at the heart of the Caucuses and is an area which is well known for its Russian climbing camps. Here our Russian climbing colleagues do a lot of training to prepare themselves for international expeditions. Accommodation in private hotel.

Day 3: Cheget (3600m).
The acclimatization process begins by heading into the hills just after breakfast. The trails wind throughout the foothills and offer exquisite views of Mt. Elbrus' twin peaks. Start from the Cheget Glade (2100m), ascent by chair-lift to the upper station (3200m), then on foot to a shoulder of Cheget peak (3200m), or up the summit (3600m). Lunch on the slopes of Cheget at the Ai Cafe or at the Cheget Glade.

Day 4 Dizel Refuge (4200m).
After breakfast - transfer to the lower station of the Elbrus Cable-car (Azau Glade), 15 min. Hoist by cable-way and chair lift to the Garabashi Hut (Refuge Bochki) at 3750 m. 1,5 hr. or higher up to the Diesel Refuge (4200m). Today we will do a thorough equipment check and see that all is in order for the often extremely cold weather that we may encounter ahead.

Day 5 Priutt (4200m)
The same route to the Garabashi Chair lift station. Acclimatisation outing to the Disel Refuge (4200m). Accommodation and Overnight in the Bochki or Dizel Refuge.

Day 6 Pastukhov Rocks Acclimatisation climb to the Pastukhov Rocks (4800-5000m). 5-6 hr. Overnight in the Bochki or Dizel Refuge. Preparation for the summit climb.

Day 7 Elbrus Early start (2-3 a.m.) from refuge. Ascent of the West Summit of Elbrus (5642m). Summit day: Depart camp via Snow-cat at 3:00am and ride to Pustakov Rocks area. From the rocks we begin our summit ascent. It is a long summit day and look for a 12-hour round trip climb. From the summit we have excellent views of the Caucuses, including Ushba, the Matterhorn of the region. Duration: 10-12 hr. Descent to refuge (Bochki or Dizel). Barrels (3780m)

Day 8 Descent by the cable-way to Azau and bus transfer to the Hotel. Or reserve day, making up for bad weather on the planned day of ascent.

Day 9 Descent or free day in hotel and environments. Or even a climb nearby is possible. Final Party and goodbye to our Russian hosts..

Day 10 Bus drive to the Mineralnye Vody Airport. Flight Home.

Day 11 Arrive back in the UK.