A Thousand Mountains – Climbing Mt Elbrus

Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia, with 15,554 feet (4,741 meters) of prominence is the tenth most prominent mountain in the world. Climbing Mt. Elbrus from the North is for lovers of the virgin nature. It is a very popular route that people used to climb Elbrus for the first time – that was 182 years ago. This 11 day journey is for those looking for some adventure!

Previous mountain experience is not necessary to climb Mount Elbrus. English-speaking guides will train your group to walk in crampons, to use the ice-axes and to get over the crevasses using ropes. After departing Moscow for Mineralyne Vody you will be driven to the town of Kislovodsk, the last town before the lower steppes of the Caucasus, there you will spend the rest of the day sorting out gear and preparing for the climb.

With the vehicle loaded with all of your gear, a four hour drive takes you into the heart of the lush foothills of the lower Caucasus to Mt. Elbrus Base Camp. Acclimatization hike up to 3100 m where you’ll see fascinating stone mushrooms up to 5 metres in height. It is a good place for rock climbing.

You will pack up a portion of your supplies and carry on to High Camp (3800 m/12,300′). After depositing your cache and enjoying the views, you will descend back to Base Camp for the night. The route from Base Camp takes you above a narrow gorge and out of the high grasslands into the alpine zone. Take an acclimatization hike to the Lenz Rocks before spending a day at leisure and making final preparations for Summit Day.

Summit Day! After an alpine start you climb from the High Camp across the upper portion of the Mikelchiran Glacier until you reach the Saddle at 5300 m/ 17,700′. Mount Elbrus has two large summit domes and the Saddle separates the East Summit from the West Summit. Both are comparable in size and height. After enjoying the summit and its impressive views of the Caucasus mountain range, you will descend back to High Camp.

After breakdown of High Camp and descending back to Base Camp for the night you will transfer from Dzhily-Su to Kislovodsk where you will enjoy hot showers and a good nights sleep at a hotel. Transfer back to St Petersburg or Moscow and spend more time sightseeing and enjoying a well earned rest!

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