Elbrus and ski mountaineering in the Caucasus Programme Information High Magazine Reader Offer

Map of Area Pictures

EWP have for several years designed trips specifically for High Magazine readers. This trip combines some excellent ski-touring with the possibility of an ascent of the highest summit in Europe - Elbrus. In winter the valleys, passes and mountains of the Caucasus offer exceptionally fine ski-touring in virtually undeveloped surroundings. The snow conditions are generally superb in spring and the mountains beautiful and unspoilt.We will fly from London, via Moscow, to Mineralny Vody in the northern Caucasus. A four hour drive takes us to the New Jailyk Hotel located at 2350m in the remote upper sections of the Adyrsu Valley, an outstanding location, for seven days of skiing in the area. We will start touring almost from the hotel door generally following glaciers to passes and summits ranging from 3572m to 4230m. The last touring day will involve crossing the Gumachi Pass (3582m) and descending into the Adylsu Valley where transport will be waiting to transfer us to the Baksan Valley for two nights in a comfortable hotel. The energetic could fit it another tour with the help of the Cheget ski lift system, otherwise this can be a rest day. Elbrus

Approaching Mestia Tau The next day we 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 three nights from which we will attempt the west summit of Elbrus (5642m) - the highest summit in Russia and Europe. We will 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 Fly from London to Moscow. Transfer to Rossia Hotel overlooking the Red Square.
Day 2 City tour, fly to Mineralnye Vody. Drive to Adyrsu valley. "New Jailik" hotel (2350m).
Day 3 Ski-tour from the hotel towards Chotchat summit (3400m), 4 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 4 Ski-tour to the Koiavgan Pass (3572m), 4 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 5 Ski-tour to the Garvash Pass (3710m), 5-6 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 6 Ski-tour to the Mestia Pass (3860m) and continue to the Mestia summit (4230m), 8 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 7 Ski-tour to the Adylsu Pass (3300m) and continue to the Lokomotiv summit (3750m), 6 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 8 Ski-tour via Jalavchat Glacier to the Druzhba summit (3650 m), 4 hours. Descent to the hotel.
Day 9 Ski-tour to the Gumachi Pass (3582m), 5-6 hours. Descent via Jankuat Glacier to the Adylsu valley. Drive by bus to Terskol (Baksan valley). Hotel in Terskol (2000m). Luggage will be delivered by car from New Jailik hotel to the hotel in Terskol.
Day 10 Rest day. The more energetic may wish to ascent Cheget Karabashi 3400m or ski using the Cheget chairlift system.
Day 11 Use the Elbrus lift system to reach Garabashi Huts (3800m).
Day 12 / 13 are two days available for the ascent of Elbrus or for skiing using the chairlift and cable car system.
A snowcat will assist for the first 500m of the ascent.
Day 14 Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Fly to Moscow.
Day 15 Return to London.

Grade, qualifications and staff
The skiing is demanding and familiarity with ski-touring 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 leading member of the local rescue services, an expert skier and accomplished mountaineer who speaks fluent English. He will be assisted by a second Russian ski-guide and an EWP guide from the UK.

Equipment
Good clothing and mountain equipment are essential for a safe and enjoyable trip; special attention should be paid to the following:

• Skiis, Bindings and Skins: Short, downhill skis are suitable for touring, it helps if they are wider than normal. The binding should be adjustable: locked for downhill skiing or unlocked for skinning up. Make sure your skins fit your skiis efficiently - you may have to fit them on in a blizzard!
• Footwear: One of the most important items of equipment, blisters and sore feet can ruin your holiday. All footwear should be worn-in and comfortable. Ski-mountaineering involves tough down-hill skiing in a variety of snow conditions, so high-quality ski-mountaineering boots are important; Dyna Fit are good, they have vibram type soles for walking uphill, will take crampons and the high ankle support may be released for walking or skinning up hill.
• Socks: A selection of socks to protect your feet will add to your well-being; they should be thick enough for warmth and comfort as well as soft, well-washed and well-fitting. Avoid nylon.
• Rucksack: Your total luggage should be limited to one rucksack and one other bag. We recommend you take a rucksack of at least 40 litres and a day sack which should hug the body or a large "bum bag".
• Sleeping Bag: A three season bag is adequate for the two or three nights to be spent in mountain huts.
• Warm Clothing: It can be extremely cold on the mountain; a good, full ski suit is useful but it should be possible to zip open as it can become very warm on uphill sections. Several thin warm jumpers allow for more temperature control underneath the suit. A warm pile jacket, or down or ski-jacket are also essential. Thermal underwear or tracksuit trousers add warmth under the ski-suite. Breaches and normal mountain clothes may be worn instead of a ski suit but these should be close-fitting if snow is not to penetrate through them - this is a poor alternative.
• Head and Face Protection: A warm hat or balaclava is essential; most body heat is lost through the head. A good glacier cream is essential. A thin short scarf protects the neck and face in extreme cold.
• Technical Equipment: Crampons are essential if an ascent of Elbrus is to be undertaken; a harness is not required.
• Other items: Spare underwear, T shirt and warm, long-sleeved shirt, ski gloves and spare mitts, very small towel and wash kit, small torch, spare battery and bulbs, thermos, sun glasses (essential for glaciers or in the snow), needle, thread, string, pencil and paper, spare film, camera, whistle, plastic bags, small stuff sacks, money belt, plastic cup.
• Personal First Aid Kit:A proprietary diarrhoea treatment. Sachets of 'dioralyte' or similar rehydration drink. High factor sun screen. Glacier cream. Small, unbreakable bottle of antiseptic. Aspirins. Throat lozenges. Water purification tablets / small bottle of iodine. Safety pins. Roll of Micropore, band aids, moleskin.

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.

Cost: £1390
Dates: 27 March - 11 April 1999.
Included: all flights, airport transfers, guides, food, accommodation, local fees, Moscow city tour.
Not included: Visa costs, insurance.
Flights: Scheduled BA flights from Heathrow; flights are also are available from Manchester with a surcharge of £40. Flight time: 3 hours 15 mins. (GMT+2)

Home  Booking  Prices  Asia  Caucasus  Africa  Europe  Dossiers  Maps  WebPages  General  Pictures  Email  Links

ALW 16/6/05