- Spectacular ascent to the highest peak of Europe from the North (5621 m) -
Ascending East Elbrus from the North, we will follow the historic route of the very first expedition organized by the Russian Army General Emmanual when out of 5 scientists and 20 cossacks and hunters from the highlands only 1 person reached the top. The magnificent Elbrus has hardly changed since those times (1829). We will trek and climb our way to 5621m above the sea level and will go down to relax near the famous healing springs Jiley-Su at the northern foothills of the Mount.
Type: mountaineering/climbing
Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Group size: 5-10 persons
Season: May-September
Special requirements: physical fitness and basic alpinism skills; own personal alpinism equipment and outfit
Day 1
Arrival in the airport of Mineralnye Vody from Moscow. Meeting and transfer to Pyatigorsk (25 km). Check in at a hotel, overnight in twin rooms
Day 2
Breakfast. Set off by a Russian 4x4 car or the Russian army truck to the starting point of our trekking adventure through the city of Kislovodsk (160 km, 6 hrs). Arrival in Surkh (2400m), setting a base tent camp next to the mountain rescue team of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Day 3
Breakfast. Start the first acquaintance with the place: walks, enjoying the superb views of the impressive mountain ridges and springs Jiley-Su. Tour to Emmanual’s Rock. Acclimatization trekking up the slopes of the Surkh Mount (3080). Overnight in tent camp
Day 4
Breakfast. Acclimatization trek to the Northern Refuge (3700m), delivery of luggage. Return to the base camp for overnight
Day 5
Breakfast. Acclimatization trek from the Northern Refuge to the moraine (3800m), pitching a tent camp, overnight
Day 6
Breakfast. The day of trekking and climbing till the Lents Rocks (4780m), possibly further acclimatization trek up to 5000m. Overnight as bivouac on the rocks.
Day 7
Breakfast. Trek down to the Mushroom Clear Patch. Rest day. Return to the Lents Rocks , overnight
Day 8
Breakfast. The day of the Ascent. Get up at 3 am and start the ascent at 4 am. Trek and climb to the very top (8-15 hrs depending on the fitness of the participants). Overnight back in the tent camp at the Lents Rocks
Day 9
Extra day reserved for ascent in case of bad weather on the previous day. In case of the successful ascent on the previous day - time at leisure, walks and descent to the Surkh valley, overnight in tents
Day 10
Return to the hotel in Pyatigorsk
Day 11
Breakfast. Guided city tour, transfer to the Minvody airport for departure to Moscow.
The itinerary is subject to changes due to weather and other conditions
