Mt Elbrus (5,642m) - Southern Route

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Russian Federation

Summit Europe's highest mountain, with a small group and fantastic qualified guides!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Mineralnye Vody Airport

Arrival day. Group transfer at 13:00 (1 PM) from Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) to Terskol village. Accommodation at the RMH lodge. Welcome briefing and orientation. Signing Waivers and required documentation. Gear check

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Acclimatisation hike to Cheget peak (3000m) will take us about 5 hours. It is so nice to relax at the "Ai" cafe (2750m) where you can appreciate a panoramic view of the Baksan valley and the twin summits of Mt Elbrus. Ascent of Mt Cheget and then return to the lodge.

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After breakfast you vacate your rooms. Check-out. Transfer to the cable-car station Azau. You take two trams and a chairlift up to the Garabashi lift station (3750m). Check into the Mountain hut (3750m). An acclimatisation hike to 4100m. (where Priutt 11 Refuge was situated).

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After breakfast you’ll do an hike to 4700m to the top of the Pastukhov Rocks. From everywhere on the slopes of Elbrus a panorama of the Central Caucasus spreads out.

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Rest day. Snow & Ice training with basic level self-arrest course. This is to prepare for your big summit day. Guides meeting with a group.

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Today is the big day! An early start of 2am – 3am will follow an 8 hour ascent of Mt Elbrus. It is time to put all your skills into practice as you scale Europe’s highest peak. Don’t worry if the weather does not allow us to attempt the summit today. You will have a spare day tomorrow to give you another opportunity. The day will end with a 4 – 6 hour hike back to the lodge, or another evening in the mountain hut if you didn’t have our summit chance today.

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Reserve day: This is an extra day to allow us to attempt the summit, if the weather did not allow the previous day. Back to the lodge for refreshments and certificate presentation.

Departure day. Morning transfer at 10:00 (10 AM) from Terskol village to Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV).

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FAQs

Included:

  • Guides
  • Official invitation letter for Russian Visa
  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Climbing permit/ National Park fees/ Registration fees
  • Russian Banya (Sauna) access
  • Food & water

The course excludes:

  • International flights
  • Technical equipment (Can be rented)
  • Any visa fees
  • Personal travel and rescue insurance
  • Snowcat on summit day - if you/the group wants it.

Mt Elbrus is a very demanding hike, so you need to have a great level of fitness. The longest day is 14 hours, and you wil be trekking with a 10kg rucksack. We recommend you train with intensive sport/running at least 2-3x a week in the 3 months before your trip. We also recommend taking a few long training hikes.

You will need clothing suitable to -18C and appropriate mountaineering equipment (Crampons, Ice Axe, double-layered mountaineering boots eg La Sportiva Spantik). You can rent these in Russia if needed. A full kit list is provided within the course PDF.

To enter Russia you’ll need to get a visa before you travel. Make sure you allow enough time to get your visa. The Russian Embassy advised in March 2018 that it takes around 20 business days (4 weeks) to process most visa applications. For further information, see the Russian embassy website and the website of VFS Global who manage Russian visa applications.

You must have some experience walking in crampons and using a hiking axe. You will, however, have one refresher day. If you don't have these skills, please contact us for recommendations for a winter skills course.

We recommend you check at http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx.

The minimum age for this trek is 18.

You will meet no later than 1 pm at the airport, on day 1 of your itinerary. You will arrive back at the airport by 2 pm, on day 8 of your itinerary.

Your head guide is Vitaly

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Russian Mountain Holidays, based in Pyatigorsk.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Vitaly