Description
The climb is suitable for those moving on from high altitude peaks like Kilimanjaro and wishing to start progressing to mountains which require additional skills such as moving on snow and ice. A reasonable level of fitness is required. It is a demanding trek that includes an average of six hours of walking per day. With summit night requiring between 12 and 15 hours. It can be a tough, physical challenge. The primary hazards are the high altitude and poor weather.
Climbers will need to be familiar with the basic use of crampons, ice axes, and ski poles. We have designed a skills training course especially for those travelling to a region and landscape like that found on Mount Elbrus. We recommend you complete this before travelling. To facilitate proper acclimatisation, we have scheduled into our itinerary specific acclimatisation days. To allow our bodies to adjust for our summit attempt, with training climbs and walks in the Baksan Valley.
Our adventure begins in Moscow. We have a brief stop-off here before catching our flight to Mineralnye Vody and then on to our base at Terskol in the Baksan Valley. Before our attempt on Elbrus, we spend a few days in the spectacular valleys surrounding Elbrus, acclimatising, training, resting and waiting for a break in the weather. The Normal Route presents a long climb over a medium incline that requires proper acclimatisation but has no real technical difficulty. The simplicity of this climb is not to be underestimated. However, as apart from the altitude, the highly variable weather and frequent violent storms. Combined with low temperatures (as low as -20 degrees), means that this ascent is a real high-altitude adventure.
