Ski Touring and Elbrus

 

Mount Elbrus Ski Ascent Programme Information

Mount Elbrus on Ski 9 days Grade D + black run & touring experience  Mainly Supported Book Now This trip combines some ski-touring and down-hill skiing in beautiful settings with the ascent of the highest summit in Europe - Elbrus. You fly to Mineralny Vody in the northern Caucasus. A four hour drive takes you to the Baksan Valley and our hotel located at 2200m. On the first day we will start a training ski-tour by taking a chairlift system up to 3000m. The following day we will use the Elbrus cable car / chairlift system to carry out an acclimatisation tour to 4050m - the Diesel Hut and return down to the hotel in the valley. Elbrus

Training  The next day we again use the Elbrus cable car and chairlift system to transfer to the Garabashi huts at 3850m. on the south slopes of the mountain. This will be our base for next few nights from which we will attempt the west summit of Elbrus (5642m) - the highest summit in Russia and Europe. We may be ble to use a snow cat for part of the ascent then ski up as far as possible. Crampons and ice axes may be required on the upper slopes which are easy angled but often icy.

Outline itinerary
The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only and it is subject to variation as a result of local conditions, weather and governmental restrictions. We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) the trip at any time if necessary. Airline schedules are subject to change, both international and domestic, and it may be necessary to vary our itinerary to adapt to these changes.
 
Day 1 Meet at Mineralny Vody. Private bus transfer to our base hotel in Baksan Valley.
The overnight flight from London connects with the Mineralny Vody flight, others may consider staying overnight in Moscow with an optional city tour.
Day 2 Ski-touring using Cheget chairlift system to 3000m.
Day 3 Ski-touring up to 4050m. on Elbrus (with cable car and chairlift support). Return to hotel.
Day 4-7 Use the Elbrus lift system to reach Garabashi Huts (3800m) which are our base for the remaining time on the mountain to acclimatise and to have two days for a possible attempt on the summit of Elbrus.
Day 8 Descent to the hotel for final day celebrations.
Day 9 Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Depart.

Dates
This programme can be run at any time of year however the period May to early July is optimal - the best snow cover. During the winter months the days are short and the weather can be extreme, also the slopes above Pastuchova rocks are often blown clear of snow leaving sheet ice for long distances. Prices for private groups available on request.

In order to accommodate travellers who would like to join a group we have scheduled departures from Mineralnye Vody on:
2/04/2010, 10/04/2010, 18/04/2010 Full, 9/05/2010, .

Price
The land price in Euros for the scheduled trip is Euros 980 per person. The group size is 6 - 15.

Grade, qualifications and staff
The skiing is demanding and familiarity with ski-touring is essential. For the ascent of Elbrus crampons will be required and experience in their use would be very useful. The chief guide will be a local expert skier and accomplished mountaineer who speaks good English. He will be assisted by a second Russian ski-guide.

Equipment
Good clothing and mountain equipment are essential for a safe and enjoyable trip, a full list is available on request.

While Skiing
Your leader will hold a briefing prior to departure to go through the itinerary and to check any other relevant matter such as equipment. If necessary ropes will be available and guides will ask you to put them on when crossing dangerous terrain, should you feel a need for the security of a rope at other times you must ask the guide to provide it. The weather on Mount Elbrus can deteriorate rapidly and storms can be very violent. If the guide recommends turning back please accept his judgement. Skiing accidents in remote regions have very serious implications. Emergencies in the hills are usually dealt with efficiently, but medical facilities are not up to Western European standards. In the interests of the safety and well-being of the group the leader's decisions will be final. If for some unforeseen problem you have to curtail your trip you will be accompanied back to the base hotel or nearest and most appropriate airport. No refund can be made on a trip cut short in this way. In this case and if you leave the group on your own volition you will have to meet the extra costs incurred.

Price includes

• Our local staff for all the program.
• Transport. All transfers according to the program (Minvody airport – hotel- airport, transfers in the region).
• Accommodation. Double hotel rooms: "Ozon" – 4 nights HB, "Barrels" 4 nights FB.
• An English -speaking guide.
• Elbrus and Cheget cable-way/chair lift return tickets according to the program.
• Food. Full board in the Caucasus - 2 meals a day in hotel restaurants. Lunch in cafes. Packed lunches while skitouring and climbing.
• Ratrak (snow grooming machine) to take the kitchen stuff up.
• Certificates on Elbrus expedition.
• Cook service on Elbrus.
• Garabashi Barrels accommodation on Elbrus 4 nights.
• Local and state tourist taxes:
  • Passports registration;
  • Border area pass;
  • Visa invitation;
  • National park permit for climbing

• Domestic and international air fare.
• Insurance.
• Single accommodation.
• Additional food and drinks.
• Additional transfers and cable-way tickets (not included in the program)
• Equipment rental.
• Ratrak (snow grooming machine) for climbing.
• Extra night in Elbrus hotel if coming from Elbrus earlier than it was planned.

ALW 13/03/05 OK