Club Mountain Traveller
Home CMT Main Page Guided
Treks & Expeditions Caucasus Mountain
Review Contact
Mount Elbrus
Email for detailed
information
Height: 5642 metres
Grade: 2
Duration: 2 weeks
Season: July-August
The Caucasus form a chain of high, alpine mountains separating the Republic of Georgia from that of Russia to the north. Just north of the main chain, several kilometres into Europe and into Russia, lies Europe's highest summit - Mount Elbrus, 5642m. The main chain itself contains many mountains over 5000m. and tens of summits higher than Mont Blanc. The Baksan Valley leads, in about 40 miles, from the northern foothills to the main chain itself. This is the most important and best developed valley in the Caucasus, partly because of the mineral wealth located near Tyrnyauz and partly on account of Elbrus and the hundreds of magnificent mountains which comprise it's watershed.
Almost at the end of the Baksan Valley lies Terskol - the "Chamonix of the
Caucasus". This tiny town lies at the foot of Mount Elbrus. It boasts about half a
dozen hotels and two ski lift systems. These facilities coupled with the three or four
buses which visit it each day make it the best developed mountain sport centre in the
1000km. length of the Caucasus - a range that could swallow up the Alps! We begin our trip
with a city tour of Moscow including the Red Square before flying to Mineralnye Vody and
on to our base hotel in the Baksan Valley. From the hotel we will make several trips
following beautiful forested valleys, walking through alpine meadows, crossing glaciated
mountain passes and climbing some of the easiest summits which provide superb panoramas of
the Caucasus Range. These initial trips will be porter supported and will involve camping
and backpacking; they will provide us with the fitness and acclimatisation necessary for
the ascent of Elbrus itself. For the ascent of Elbrus we will use a cable car system to
take us to a height of about 3800m, here we will stay in the Garabashi Huts and/or camp at
the former site of the Priut 11 Hut (4200m) using a mess tent for meals. The actual
programme will depend on the weather, group condition and availability of a snowcat which
we will, if available and necessary, use to help us up the lower slopes of the mountain.
Though gentle-angled, the ascent of Elbrus requires the use of crampons and an ice axe,
there will be opportunities to practice with these during the first ten days.
Our trip will finish in Moscow. We will have a city tour with time to visit some of the
wonders of this beautiful city.
Trip Grade
In spite of its technical ease, Elbrus is an extremely serious mountain. Though
gentle-angled, the ascent of Elbrus requires the use of crampons and an ice axe. There
will be opportunities to practice with these during the first several days. As a result,
our ascent is over 80%. The basic mountaineering experience and excellent physical
condition is essential.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Moscow. A short city tour. Hotel.
Day 2. Fly to Mineralny Vody and drive to our hotel in the Baksan Valley.
Day 3-9. Trek over glaciated passes and climb two simple glaciated mountains.
Day 13. Descend to the hotel in Baksan Valley.
Day 14. Return to Mineralny Vody, fly to Moscow. Hotel.
Day 15. Trip end. Departure.