GoTrek Tours/Treks

 

Russia

Mt. Elbrus

Cost Includes: Accommodations at Usengy in the forest (20 double rooms with showers and sauna) or hotel Logobo and accommodations in a mountain hut on the slope of Mount Elbrus. All meals in Baksan Valley hotel and huts and all meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) in Moscow. Guided sightseeing in Moscow, air tickets Moscow – Mineralnye Vody and return – you are allowed only 30 kg (66 pounds) of gear and personal items for the internal flight. All transfers in Moscow and Baksan Valley, lifts and one mountain guide for three people during the climbing days and all necessary permits and registrations.

Does not include: Land costs do not include international airfare, nonscheduled airport shuttles, snow-cat and other optional transportation and personal gear.

Europe's highest mountain, Mt. Elbrus is located in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains in Russia. It is one of the famous Seven Summits ... the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Little known outside of Eastern Europe, the peaks, glaciers and valleys of the Caucasus are as beautiful as the Swiss Alps. Though gently angled, the ascent is a long trek up a snow field requiring fitness, perseverance and the use of crampons and an ice ax or ski poles. The Go Trek guided climb will be combined with interesting treks in the highlands and a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to enjoy some Russian culture. Join GoTrek mountain climbing guides for your next adventure!

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Flights from United States to Moscow. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2
  Sightseeing in Moscow. Visit Red Square, the Kremlin, etc. Lunch in Moscow with afternoon free to sightsee and tours. Possible evening Bolshoi Ballet performance.
• Day 3
  Fly to Mineralnye Vody (about a two-hour flight) and transfer 3 hours by van to village of Terskol (7,300 feet) and our hotel.
• Day 4
  Acclimatization hike up Mt. Cheget (12,500 feet). Night in hotel.
• Day 5
  Begin climb of Mt. Elbrus. Take the tram from the village of Terskol to the 10,000-foot- level. We will hike a flat traverse for 1 to 1.5 hours to a camp at 10,000 feet at a beautiful mountain lake with a nice view of the summit of Mt. Elbrus.
• Day 6
  Take the second tram and ski lift to 12,600 feet. We will then hike 1.5 hours to the site of the old Priutt Hut. Overnight at a hut, elevation is 13,900 feet.
• Day 7
  Acclimatizing hike to high rocks (15,500 feet) above hut. Overnight back at a hut.
  
• Day 8
  Summit day for Mt. Elbrus. We get a pre-dawn start. We gain over 4,000 feet to reach the summit. Return to hut for the night.
• Day 9
  Return to Baksan Valley and the village of Terskol. Overnight at Itkol hotel.
• Day 10
  Sightseeing day in Baksan Valley. This day is also available as a weather contingency day for Elbrus.
• Day 11
  Morning shopping in Terskol. Mid-day departure for airport in Mineralnye Vody and fly to St. Petersburg (about a 3-hour flight) Overnight at St. Petersburg hotel.
• Day 12
  Day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg. We will visit the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral and tour the city and the Hermitage. Evening riverboat cruise through the city. Overnight St. Petersburg hotel.
• Day 13
  Additional day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg.
• Day 14
  Depart Russia for the United States.

 

Culture & Sightseeing

The gleaming spires of Red Square and the Kremlin are just a few of the sights you'll see in Moscow on your way to Mt. Elbrus. We may even get an opportunity to attend a performance of the Bolshoi Ballet. In St. Petersburg, we tour the city including the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral and the breathtaking Hermitage. You can even wind through the city on an evening riverboat cruise.

Experience Requirements

Basic mountaineering experience is required. The climb is non-technical although you need to have basic training in the use of crampons, ice axe, and roped travel. We take a cable car to a mountain lodge, and then climb Mount Elbrus at 18,510 feet.

Equipment List

Clothing:
• Lightweight hiking shoes
• One pair light weight hiking pants
• Two pairs of wool or synthetic socks
• Climbing pants (fleece or Schoeller pants)
• GORE-TEX® pants (full side zips recommended)
• GORE-TEX® jacket
• Down parka
• Two synthetic long underwear tops
• One synthetic long underwear bottom
• Fleece jacket
• Ski hat
• Ski gloves
• Polypro Liner gloves
• Warm pair of mittens
• Bandanna and baseball cap
• Sunglasses AND ski goggles
• Swimsuit
• Sunscreen and lip balm

Gear:
• Large internal frame pack, 5000-cubic-inch capacity
• Ice axe (70 cm is a good all around length)
• Crampons
• Climbing harness
• Climbing helmet
• Two locking carabineers
• Two non-locking carabineers
• Sleeping bag - down or synthetic, rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sleeping pad (Ensolite foam or a ThermaRest pad)
• Double plastic climbing boots (Koflach Degre is a great all around boot)
• Gaiters
• Mug, bowl and spoon
• Two Nalgene wide mouth one-quart water bottles
• Headlamp with two sets of new batteries
• Camera and film
• Lightweight toiletries and personal medications
• Personal First Aid Kit: Can include: aspirin, moleskin, Cipro, band-aids, antacids, Imodium, iodine crystals for water purification (Potable Aqua)
• One small roll toilet paper and a small towel
• Adjustable ski poles
• Pocket knife and Bic lighter
• Two plastic garbage bags

Ready to go Trekking or Mountain Climbing?

If you are ready to get going and want to speed the process along, complete the steps below.

• Step 1: Complete & submit the Online Contact Form below
• Step 2: Download & complete the Medical Information Form
• Step 3: Download & complete the Release of Liability Waiver
• Step 4: Reserve your space. Mail the Medical Information Form, Release of Liability Waiver, Online Reservation E-mail Confirmation and Trip Deposit to:

  GoTrek & Mountain Climbing Expeditions
  3110 Judson Street #107
  Gig Harbor, WA 98335
  USA