Mount ELBRUS IS THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN EUROPE LOCATED IN THE CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS IN RUSSIA, CLOSE TO THE BORDER WITH GEORGIA. IT IS IN FACT A DORMANT VOLCANO WITH TWO SUMMITS COVERED WITH PERMANENT ICE CAPS. SINCE 1986 IT HAS BEEN PART OF THE PRIELBRUSYE NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF THE PROTECTED AREAS IN RUSSIA.

Mountain: Mount Elbrus
Elevation: 5642 m (18510 ft)
Location: Caucasus Mountains, Southern Russia
Type: Walking / Trekking / Climbing
More info: Adventure Consultants

Overview.

Since Mount Elbrus is located in the Southern part of Russia, the majority of trips to Elbrus from Europe have a stop in one of the two biggest Russian cities: Moscow or Saint Petersburg. After that the flight takes the climbers to city of Mineralnye Vody in the Caucasus region, where the real adventure starts.

Mount Elbrus is usually climbed in phases, giving time for the body to acclimatize to the altitude. Each day is spent in attempts to climb higher, while overnighting at much lower altitudes to have sufficient rest for the next day’s hike, abiding by the old mountaineering adage, “climb high, sleep low”.

The Best Bits.

  • Climb the highest mountain in Europe and gaze over the splendid panorama.
  • Get a taste of Caucasian mountain climbing adventure surrounded by unique local traditions.
  • Embark on a journey to conquer all the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each of the seven continents
  • Stay in comfortable huts at a lower altitude and use picturesque cable car during the day.
 

Experience Level.

Climbing Mount Elbrus doesn’t pose any severe technical difficulties along the route, however, weather conditions are usually unstable bringing strong winds and exposing ice-covered parts of the trial. Particular care is recommended at all times during the descent, due to steep slopes and rocky terrain.

Overall, Elbrus is one of the easiest Seven Summits to attempt due to its accessibility, however, it is worth remembering that at 5642 metres above sea level Mount Elbrus is still 800 metres higher than Mont Blanc.

Typical Elbrus Itinerary

 

  • Day 1: Transfer to Saint Petersburg, welcome dinner and meeting with the team
  • Day 2: Saint Petersburg city tour, including Hermitage Museum and Peter and Paul Fortress
  • Day 3: Flight to Mineralnye Vody, transfer to Terskol in the Baksan Valley
  • Day 4: Ski lift to Cheget Mountain – 3600 m (11811 ft), acclimatization, overnight in a hotel
  • Day 5: Hike to a waterfall at 2700 m (8858 ft), followed by Ice Camp at 3700 m (12139 ft), acclimatization
  • Day 6: Acclimatization hike, staying overnight in an Islam Hut at 3900 m (12795 ft) on the slopes of Elbrus
  • Day 7: Another acclimatization hike, this time to the Obelisk 
  • Day 8:  Acclimatization hike to Pastuhova Rocks, overnight in the hut
  • Day 9: Summit day. Leaving at about 3 am to climb Elbrus’ west peak at 5642 m (18510 ft)
  • Day 10: Contingency summit day. Returning to the hut
  • Day 11: Spare summit day, hiking down the valley and reaching back to the hotel
  • Day 12: Transfer to Mineralnye Vody, followed by the flight to Moscow
  • Day 13: Moscow city tour, including Kremlin, Red Square and other famous Russian landmarks
  • Day 14: Departing to the airport and returning to the UK

For more information or to book this or many other adventures visit Adventure Consultants.