Elbrus Expedition - Russia

Elbrus Expedition - Russia

Normal Route Full Service Cost: $3,300, £2,650, €3,300. (fixed in USD)

Ski Tour Full Service Cost: $3,400, £2,750, €3,400. (fixed in USD)

Dates: Please contact us for details info@summitclimb.com

Easy and safe snow climb to 5,642 meters (18,510 feet).

Expedition to the top of the highest peak in all of Europe. One of the famous "7 Summits.”

Join the team

Elbrus Expedition - Europe`s 7 Summit - Easy Snow Climb Overview

Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in all of Europe, and one of the fabled Seven Summits. Perched in the Caucasus Mountains at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet), Mt. Elbrus is one of the best ways to test yourself at high altitude in a short amount of time. In addition to spectacular scenery, we will also experience one of Europe's richest and most unique cultures, as we trek and climb in Russia near the border to Georgia.

The route leads through a large ski area with good infrastructure, a comfortable hut to the exit of the ascent, and is by far the easiest route to the summit. A well thought-out travel plan and a great view of the Caucasus awaits us. Experienced mountain guides accompany you to the roof of Europe.

Elbrus Expedition Cost

Our full-service expedition includes:

Experienced British, European, or American leader
Shared hotels after leaving and before returning to Piatigorsk
All meals after leaving and before returning to Piatigorsk and at Elbrus basecamp
Transportation from Piatigorsk to the base of Elbrus and back
Tram and chair lift rides used for acclimatizing and transport to basecamp huts
Assistant guides and cooks
Group climbing and safety equipment

Not Included:

Hotel and meals in Piatigorsk
Airport transfer
Personal (non-shared) room in Azau Village, $50/ night
Personal equipment and clothing
Russian visa
Staff and leader tips
Travel Insurance
Favorite snack foods. 1 kg / 2 pounds is a good amount (you may buy these in Piatigorsk)
Snowcat for summit attempt. These costs are approximate and paid prior to summit attempt in Rubles.
- Snowcat to 4700 meters - $ 150 USD
- Snowcat to 5100 meters - $ 300 USD
Personal Guide for Summit Day - they are available for a daily fee of $600 USD (This must be arranged at time of booking)
Snowcat or snowmobile to huts on descent (from 4,700 meters) - $100

Elbrus Expedition Itinerary

1) Fly to Mineralnye Vody, take 20 minute taxi (~$20 USD) to hotel in Piatigorsk. Food shopping and money exchange into Russian Rubles.
2) 4 hour bus ride to a hotel in Azau Village, 2,200 meters (7,218feet). Equipment check, orientation, andopportunity to rent or purchase needed equipment in Azau or Cheget
3) Acclimatization ascent (using ski lifts if possible) of Cheget Mountain, 3,450 meters (11,319 feet). Stay in Azau hotel.
4) Ride tram and ski lifts toan acclimatization hike on Elbrus slopes up to 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Stay in the Azau Hotel
5) Ride tram and ski lift. Set up base camp at Barrels huts 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) or huts above Diesel Hut, 4,100 meters (13,451 feet). Acclimatization hike to
4,500 meters (14,764 feet) and basic ice/snow/rope/self-belay practice. Sleep in hut.
6) Acclimatization hike up to 4,900 meters (16,076 feet). Sleep in hut.
7) Climb to Elbrus summit at5,642 meters (18,510 feet). Descend to base camp. Sleep in hut.
8) Extra summit day/ Descend (ski lift) and transfer to MineralnyeVody.
9) Fly home - Say goodbye to new friends and depart Piatigorsk by taxi to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) airport.

Elbrus Expedition Leadership and Staff

Dan Mazur is a relaxed, friendly, well organized, and highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience leading people to the summits of Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, Shishapangma, and Elbrus

Elbrus Expedition Personal and Team Equipment

Climbing:

Climbing harness
5 meters (16 ft.) of 6mm accessory cord
Figure 8 abseil/belay device (tube style devices, i.e. ATC will not work on fixed lines)
Full size ascender (i.e. PetzlAscention)
2 locking carabiners, 1 large and 1 small
4 non-locking carabiners
Ice axe with leash
Steel crampons with anti-balling plates
Trekking poles

Upper Body:

2 cotton t-shirts
Synthetic t-shirt
Long sleeve synthetic shirt
Light-weight soft shell jacket
Medium weight insulatingjacket (fleece, down, or synthetic)
Hard shell jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable (Gore-Tex or similar)
Heavy down coat - a very warm down coat with hood or an 8,000m coat with hood

Hands:

Lightweight poly-liner gloves
Mid-weight soft shell gloves – water/wind resistant
Heavy- weight waterproof gloves – Gore-tex shell with removable liner
Expedition weight mittens -Gore-tex over mitt matched polar fleece mitt liner

Head:

Helmet
Warm hat that covers your ears
Balaclava
Face mask
Baseball hat or brimmed sun hat
Glacier sunglasses with side shields
Ski goggles with light and dark lenses
Glasses with clear lenses to protect your eyes while climbing to the summit on windy nights. (cost less than 10 dollars in Kathmandu)
Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
Buff/neck gaiter
Bandana or head scarf (optional)

Lower Body:

Synthetic underwear
Hiking shorts
Hiking pants
Lightweight thermal bottoms
Medium or expedition weight thermal bottoms
Polar fleece or soft shell pants
Waterproof/breathable pants with full side zips (Gore-Tex or similar)
Heavy insulating pants - Down or synthetic pants will full zips

Feet:

Boots: Plastic or composite double boots (Koflach, La SportivaSpantik, etc) Modern waterproof, single boots designed for 4-5,000m peaks may be suitable if they can be worn with 2 pairs of socks and vapor barrier lines and/or they are equipped with overboots
Sturdy leather walking boots
Trainers, running shoes and/or sandals
Down booties (optional)
2 pair med-heavy poly or wool socks
2 pair poly or wool liner socks (optional)
Vapor barrier liner socks (optional)
2 pair lightweight trekking socks
Cotton socks for in town

Sleeping:

Down sleeping bag rated to -18C or 0F

Rucksack and Travel Bags:

Large rucksack/backpack (80+ litres / 5,000+ cubic inches)
Daypack/summit pack
Waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
Large (120+ L / 7500+ cubic inch) duffle kit bags for clothing and equipment
Small luggage locks for duffel kit bags

Personal Hygiene:

Female or male hygiene supplies
2 tubes lip sun cream
Large tube skin sun cream (min factor 30)
Anti-mosquito cream
Toothpaste/brush
Hand sanitizer gel (small bottle)
Bar of soap small towel
Hand wipes
Face Mask
Hand sanitiser
Disposable gloves
Disinfectant wipes

Medical:

Small personal first-aid kit. (Simple and Light) Aspirin, first-aid tape, plasters (band-aids), personal medications, etc.
Blister repair kit
10 anti-diarrhea pills
20 anti-headache pills
10 cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox, Acetylzolamide
10 Stomach antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, etc.
Steri pen or bottle of water purification tablets
Cough sweets/lozenges (Halls/Stepils)
Earplugs
Extra prescription glasses/contact lenses and supplies

Personal Food:

Snack food/daily energy food – 1kg / 2 lbs
2 dehydrated meals (freeze-dried dinners) for summit attempt

Practical:

Small roll of repair tape
Sewing repair kit
Cigarette lighter
Small box matches
Compass or GPS
Battery powered alarm clock/watch
Camera with extra cards and extra batteries
Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage
2 water bottles (1 litre) wide-mouth Nalgene
Pee bottle (1litre or larger)
Plastic cup and spoon
Small folding knife
Binoculars (optional)
4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks
Passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket, flight itinerary
Separate photocopies of passport and relevant visa pages, proof of insurance
Dollars, pounds, or euros cash
Bank/ATM/Cash and credit cards
Bathing suit/swim suit (you never know)
Paperback books, playing cards, ipod/mp3 player, musical instruments, extra batteries, etc.
Travel clothes for basecamp and in town
Umbrella (optional)
Small solar panels for personal electronics (optional)

Group Equipment:

We provide group gear, equipment, and supplies including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection, tents; stoves, fuel, walkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. A personal tent will be provided for each member at base camp. On the upper mountain, team members will share tents. In base camp, a shower, toilet, solar charger, and a dining tent will be provided.

Elbrus Expedition Experience and Training

For the Elbrus Normal Route, it is not necessary for you to have previous climbing experience. We will teach you all of the mountain skills you need to know during the trip. To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter hiker/climber in good health, and able to carry food, water, clothing and personal gear, and for the stronger members, some group equipment. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Elbrus Expedition Photo Galley

Elbrus
Hut at Elbrus base camp
Elbrus base camp
Above Elbrus Saddle
Elbrus Summit
Dual-track snowmobile
Summit

Elbrus Expedition Application Forms

Here is what Alan says: "I had a very good experience on this unforgettable expedition. The trip was well organized and I liked the leader. He was full of energy and humour."

Here is what Troy says: "Thanks for everything! I appreciate everything you did to make this a safe and successful expedition."

Here is what Bruce says: "I thought the expedition worked well and it was another good group of people you put together. I look forward to climbing together again and seeing you next time."

Here is what Garth had to say: "I had a fantastic time, what an incredible experience. We all left Tibet saying that we would return"

Here is what Phil has to say: "The expedition is ideal for individuals or groups of climbers who wish to participate in a Himalayan expedition at a reasonable price, only slightly higher than the cost of organizing your own independent expedition.You have the wealth of experience provided by the organizers and land leaders, who use no middlemen, dealing directly with the government mountaineering office."