Mount Elbrus

Abstract

Itinerary

Trip description

Mount Elbrus (5642m) is the highest peak in Europe,lying just north of the Caucasian watershed in the Russian provinces of Balkaria and Cherkessia.  It was first climbed in in 1874 by the extremely capable Alpine Club team of Florence Crauford Grove, Horace Walker and Frederick Gardner together with  guides Peter Knubel and Ahiya Sottaiev.  (for more information see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbrus).

The mountain is a dormant volcano and like so many old volcanoes provides a technically easy climb, the main object to success being fitness and the need to acclimatise. Expect a fairly strenuous summit day (typically 8 hours up and 4 hours down) though a strong party in good weather should also be able to include the lower East summit (5621m) on the same day.  For a suitable training regime please contact us directly.

We stay in hotels and mountain huts throughout the trip. A sleeping bag and mat are needed but no camping equipment.

Expedition price

The expedition price includes the following;
Accommodation and transfers included in the itinerary
Hotels in major towns, B&B in shared rooms.
In lodges and huts;  all meals (with a packed lunch)
Group climbing gear and first aid kit.
Experienced trip leaders
local assistant guide (where necessary)
Viisa support, and local documentation and visa invitations.

Not included
International flights to Mineralnye Vodi
Holiday Insurance (must include cancellation)
Medivac Insurance
Russian visa costs
personal climbing kit and clothing;
Gratuities for hotel and expedition staff
telephone, beverages and laundry

Payment, Cancellation and Refund
To register for this expedition a deposit of 200 Euro 6 months before the start of the expedition. The balance is payable 2 months before the start of the expedition. There will be a 50% refund for cancellations made up to 6 weeks before the start of the trip, so please insure your holiday against cancellation for medical and/or personal reasons.

Insurance

For this trip you must have medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance.

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. Travel insurance must provide coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay,

Visas

Foreign travellers to the Russian Federation need visas. This bureaucracy will need to be completed a minimum of two months before the start of the the expedition. This is done by invitation from our Russian agent. For the invitation we will need a copy or scan of the biodata from your current passport and a scan of your passport photograph. We will also need  the address of your local Russian Embassy. Please allow plenty of time for this formality and double check ALL the dates on your visa when you recieve it. In 2008 we found several errors made by the local Russian embassies.

Equipment list

We believe that kit must be light and functional. Heavy, unsuitable and excess kit will hinder your ascent of the mountain:

Travel:
passport + photocopy + spare passport photographs
credit cards + cash (about 300 Euros in Roubles)
copy of insurance certificates

Bivouac:
sleeping bag (good to -10C)
sleeping bag liner  
Thermarest (or similar) sleeping mat

Sun protection:
sun hat (cricket style is good)
glacier glasses or dark goggles.
glacier cream and lip salve

Clothing:
ski hat and buff (neck gaiter)
weather proof outer-shell jacket
thin gloves, ski gloves & warm mitts
light duvet jacket
glacier shirt (light, long sleeve shirt)
pile or fleece jacket
silk weight (or similar) long sleeve shirt
weather proof outer-shell pants or sallopettes
pile or fleece pants
silk weight or similar long johns
thin and thick socks
snow gaiters
warm plastic boots

Hard wear:
head torch with fresh spare batteries
light water bottle (local plastic  bottle is good)
60 (minimum) litre rucksack
light ice axe
crampons
harness
2 locking krab
2 non-locking krabs
1 long sling (120cm)
2 prussik cords (6mm dia. 2m long)
ski sticks

First Aid:
personal medical supplies
blister kit
spare glasses/lenses (for the myopic or hyperopic)

Optional Extras:
rock boots/chalk
compass, map and gps
camera
trainers

GUIDE

The team will be led by an experienced English speaking guide, assisted by a local guides if the team size warrants it. (More than 5 members)

Food

We will feast on local food, but bear in mind that our essential philosophy on mountains is that “Food is fuel”. Please let us know well in advance of any special dietary requirements.

Medical examination

It  is imperative that expedition members are fit and strong and in good health.  Please ensure that you have seen your doctor and provide us with a medical certificate that you are fit for the expedition. We must be informed of any medical conditions that may affect you during the course of the expedition. We will treat the information with full confidentiality.

Safety communications and expedition First Aid

On this expedition we will be carrying two way radios. We will also provide a basic expedition first aid kit. You should bring your own personal first aid and blister kit.