“No true mountaineer will ever refuse to recognize the unique majesty of the monarch of the Caucasus,” wrote noted mountain explorer/writer Douglas Freshfield. And, indeed, the landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains of Russia are as beautiful as any in the Swiss and French Alps. Here you’ll find deep forests of poplar and beech, alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers, and dramatic glaciated peaks, including Europe’s highest, the twin summits of Mount Elbrus (18,510'). It’s one of the famous “seven summits”—the highest peaks on each of the seven continents—and its icy flanks are home to some 22 glaciers! This climb of Elbrus begins with a ski lift to 12,464', followed by a walk to a “base camp” at 13,448'. After a day to acclimate, you’ll do an alpine-style summit attempt: rise at 3:00 a.m., hike to the summit, and return to the hut 11 to 13 hours later. The climb requires experience in using crampons and an ice axe, but the route we follow is not technically difficult and doesn’t require glacier travel.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb the highest mountain in Europe!
• Enjoy panoramic views of the Caucasus Mountains, with their scenery reminiscent of the Swiss Alps

Day 1 - Arrive in Mineralnye Vody, Russia, on the plains north of the Caucasus. Transfer to the Baksan Valley (6,888'), near Mount Elbrus.

Day 2 - Acclimatization hike in the Terskol Valley up to the observatory at 10,168'.

Day 3 - Hike the first section of the Cheget ski lift up to about 8,692'. From here, we hike to the Cheget Karabashi summit at 11,166', and take in a panoramic view of the twin summits of Mount Elbrus. Return to the hotel.

Day 4 - Take a cable car up to the Old Krugozor station (9,840') and go for an acclimatization hike up to the Garabashi Hut at 12,464'. Return to the lodge by lifts.

Day 5 - Return to the Garabashi Hut, this time by ski lifts, and hike to the Diesel hut (13,448'), the base for our climb. Afternoon hike on the lower slopes of Mount Elbrus up to 14,432'.

Day 6 - Acclimatization hike to the Pastukhova Rocks, an outcrop at 15,744' on the main climbing route. During the day you’ll have a lesson in the use of crampons and ice axes.

Day 7 - Pre-dawn start for the ascent of the highest point of Mount Elbrus’s twin peaks—the West Summit at 18,505'.

Day 8 - An extra day to be used as necessary in case of inclement weather.

Day 9 - Return to hotel in the Baksan Valley.

Day 10 - Transfer to the airport in Mineralnye Vody and depart.

Photo Credits