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Elbrus Almost at the end of the Baksan Valley, at the foot of Elbrus
(Europe's highest mountain) lies Terskol. This village boasts about half a
dozen hotels and two ski lift systems. These facilities coupled with the three
or four buses which visit it each day make it the best developed mountain sport
centre in the 1000km. length of the Caucasus - a range that could swallow up
the Alps! We begin our trip by flying into Mineralnye Vody and drive on to our base hotel in the Baksan Valley.
Our first two trips, follow beautiful forested valleys, walking through alpine
meadows, crossing glaciated mountain passes and climbing some of the easiest
summits which provide superb panoramas of the Caucasus Range. These initial
trips will be porter supported and will involve camping and backpacking; they
will provide us with the fitness and acclimatisation necessary for the ascent
of Elbrus itself. On Mount Elbrus we use a cable car to take us to a height of 3800m, here we
will stay in huts and/or camp at the former site of the Priut 11 Hut (4200m)
using a mess tent for meals or stay in the Diesel Hut nearby. The actual programme will depend on the weather, group condition and availability of a snowcat which we will, if available and necessary, use to
help us up the lower slopes of the mountain. Though gentle-angled, the ascent of Elbrus requires the use of crampons and
an ice axe, there will be opportunities to practice with these during the first
ten days. Our chief guide is Gia Ksnelashvili, a well-qualified and experienced
mountaineer with an expert knowledge of the Caucasus. He will be supported by
other English speaking guides. They will have ropes and a radio. Our trip will finish in St. Petersburg which was designed by Peter the
Great
to be the Venice of the North. We will have a city tour with time to
visit some of the wonders of this beautiful city. Terrorism and your Security
The Caucasus have recently been on some countries' Office of Foreign Affairs "not recommended to travel to lists" (eg UK). Many countries have no restrictions and the area remains a popular international tourist destination. The Elbrus area has so far been hardly affected by terrorist activities and at present we expect to continue running trips here as we have done for the last fifteen years. We do monitor the situation and do appreciate insurance complications may arise if you are travelling to the area details. After making your booking, should the situation in the area deteriorate to the extent that we have to cancel, alter or curtail the trip at short notice, we
will refund all monies paid other than those associated with non-refundable expenses such as flight deposits or payments. UK citizens, and others, may wish to discuss insurance implications and solutions with us. | Mount Elbrus 15 day climb
Detailed Dossier | Dates and Prices | Map | Terrorism Grade D
The first week involves porter-supported back-packing, camping in
alpine meadows crossing high passes and the ascent of a simple glaciated summit. The final few days are devoted to the ascent of Elbrus. Although no
advanced mountaineering experience is required for the ascent of Elbrus you will need to be familiar with the basic use of crampons and ice-axes.
Throughout the spring and in summer EWP staff are based at a hotel located
in the forested Baksan Valley at the foot of Mount Elbrus. This is our main
base for most mountaineering and skiing programmes.
Our staff include cooks, a doctor, porters and guides. Guests stay mainly
in twin-bedded rooms with showers.
We fly to Mineralnye Vody via Moscow and leave Russia via St Petersburg. A city tour is included in the trip costs.
Green Hotel | Outline Itinerary | | Day 1 | Flight from Moscow to Mineralny Vody. Private bus transfer to our
base hotel in Baksan Valley. There is an overnight flight from London that connects with the Mineralny Vody flight. | | Day 2-8 | Trek over glaciated passes and climb two simple glaciated mountains. | | Day 9-11 | Ascent of Mount Elbrus. | | Day 12 | Descend to the hotel in Baksan Valley. | | Day 13 | Return to Mineralny Vody, fly to St Petersburg. Hotel in the city center. | | Day 14 | City tour and lunch with some free time in the afternoon and evening (supper not included in cost). Night
at hotel. | | Day 15 | Transfer to airport. | |
