Mount Elbrus

Mount Elbrus 5642m – One of the 7 summits and the highest mountain in Europe. Its West summit is 5642 m high and the East one is 21 m shorter at 5621 m.

Mt. Elbrus is situated between the Black and Caspian sea’s in the Russian Caucasus mountains only 20 km from the Georgian border.  Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano and the last explosion occured about 2000 years ago. The two summits of Elbrus are in fact two craters of a volcano. Imp Adventures will climb the remoter and less commercial northern route utilizing classic high altitude camping and gear caching techniques. 

We will also spend two nights in a comfortable Moscow city centre hotel with a free day to take in all of this vibrant cities sights and attractions.

Trip Information

Dates & Prices: View Prices
Price Rate: £2700
(including flights and 2 nights Moscow B&B)
Grading: Dt (more info)
No of People: 8-14

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Itinerary

Day 1

Flight from London to Moscow and transfer to city centre hotel

Day 2

Flight from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. From the airport we drive to the town of Kislovodsk, the last town before the lower steppes of the Caucasus. We spend the rest of the day sorting our gear and preparing for the climb. Overnight in Kislovodsk

Day 3

We depart for base-camp. With the vehicles loaded with all of our gear, a four hour drive takes us into the heart of the lush foothills of the lower Caucasus to Mt. Elbrus base-camp (2200 m/ 8,300'). Once we establish our base-camp, we take a short acclimatization hike to explore the remote valley and stretch our legs after the many long hours of travel.

Day 4

Acclimatization hike up to 3100 m. We'll see fascinating stone mushroom like boulders with heights up to 5m. It is also a good place for rock climbing! Descend to the base-camp. Overnight in base-camp.

Day 5

Carry to high-camp. We pack up a portion of our supplies and make a carry to high-camp (3800 m/ 12,300'). After depositing our cache and enjoying the views, we descend back to base-camp for the night.

Day 6

Move to high-camp. An early start gives us ample opportunity to enjoy the climb up to high-camp. The route from base-camp takes us above a narrow gorge and out of the high grasslands into the alpine zone, affording stunning views of the glaciers of Mt. Elbrus and the lower steppes of the Caucasus to the north. The last stretch of the climb leads through the jumbled rock moraine along side the Mikelchiran Glacier before cresting a steep pitch which puts us into high camp.

Day 7

Acclimatization hike to the Lenz Rocks (4800 m/ 15,200'). The route brings us onto some moderate glacial terrain. We will rope up in order to protect ourselves from the several crevasses we must cross.

Day 8

Rest day. Final preparations are made for summit day.

Day 9

Summit day! After an alpine start we climb from the high-camp across the upper portion of the Mikelchiran Glacier until we reach the Saddle at 5300 m/ 17,700'. Mount Elbrus has two large summit domes and the Saddle separates the East Summit from the West Summit. Both are comparable in size and height. After enjoying our summit and its impressive views of the Caucasus mountain range, we descend back to our high-camp.

Day 10

Today we strike our high-camp and descend back to base-camp for the night. This day can also be used as an extra summit day in case we encounter bad weather or need additional time for acclimatization.

Day 11

Transportation from Dzhily-Su to Kislovodsk where we will enjoy hot showers and a good night's sleep.

Day 12

Drive from Kislovodsk to Mineralnye Vody airport and onwards flight to Moscow where we transfer to a city centre hotel and a celebration meal.

Day 13

Free day to explore Moscow City. (A chance to explore the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square or perhaps visit one of the many classic opera, ballets or state circuses)

Day 14

Flight from Moscow to London

What's Included

• Invitation letter for Russian visa
• Local registration of your visa according to Russian law
• Flights including internal flights
• Base camp tents, High Camp tents
• Transfer Kislovodsk - Mount Elbrus and back
• Park fee 
• Permits, charges, importation taxes and levies payable to the Local Authorities in connection with the expedition. 
• All food on the mountain (cook services included)
• Food, fuel and cooking equipment whilst on the mountain. 
• A British expedition team leader. Small groups may use a local leader.
• One Imp Adventures guide and one Russian guide for the group throughout the tour.

• Group equipment (ropes, ice screws etc)
• Base and High Camps such as: fenced territory (against cows in the base camp), shower in base-camp, dining tents in both camps, own toilets in both camps.

Not Included

• Meals during staying in Kislovodsk
• Personal equipment (such as sleeping bag, boots, crampons etc, although these can be hired locally)
• Porter services. Food, gas and public equipment is distributed between the participants. This means that you will have to carry your personal belongings along with the team equipment from the base-camp up to the high-camp. This will be done in two carries, about 17 - 20 kilos each. Active acclimatisation is very helpfull and enhances your chances to reach the summit, but if you feel tired you can hire a porter for only 50 euros. You can make decision on the spot and ask your guide to find a porter before you leave the base-camp.
• Single occupation in hotel or in tent. If you don't want to share your space with somebody you can pay 60 euro extra for hotel and 35 euro for tent and enjoy personal accommodation.
• Personal insurance, visas, departure tax and inoculations. 
• Drinks and hotel or guest house meals unless specified. 
• Personal medical supplies.
• Personal use of communication equipment. 
• Excess baggage. 
• Tips for porters and local guides. 
• Costs associated with an expedition finishing early. 
• Costs associated with you leaving an expedition early. 
• Costs associated with extending a trip due to bad weather or other circumstances.
• Assistance with porterage on mountains

Other Information

It is vitally important that you have adequate travel insurance for your trip with Imp Adventures. We recognise the complexity and variety of choice in the insurance market and know that many of you either have your own preferred insurer or have annual multi trip cover in place already. If this is the case, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your Imp Adventures itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken.



The BMC: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111

Please ensure your insurance covers you for the heights you are likely to attain, and for helicopter rescue and when you have chosen and booked your insurance, please provide Imp Adventures with your Insurers name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your Policy number with them.