SKI-TOUR IN ADYR-SU  WITH THE ASCENT TO ELBRUS BY SOUTH ROUTE

Adyr-Su is a right tributary of the Baksan river and joins it near the village of Verkhny Baksan. The river is fed by glaciers of Caucasus northern slopes around the Ullu-Tau peak.

The Adyr-Suu valley is a popular tourist destination. Alpinist camps Dzhailyk and Ullu-Tau, connected by an asphalted road to the Baksan highway, are situated in the upper part of the valley at the altitude of 2400 m.

The trail to Adyr-Su starts from a sharp ascent to a 60m-high “doorstep” of the valley. The river has dug a deep canyon and breaks free from it in a loud waterfall. Cars reach the valley by a special lift, and people get in by a metal ladder.

Elbrus is a dormant two-summit volcano in the central Caucasus. As the highest peak in Russia and Europe, it is one of The Seven Summits, the list of the planet’s highest mountains. The two summits are two separate volcanos. The “young cone” – the eastern summit – is 5621m high, while the highest point – the western summit – is 5642 m. Elbrus’s slopes generally are not steep but the average slope angle reaches 35 degrees after 4000m altitude. Northern and western slopes feature numerous vertical cliffs as high as 700m. Eastern and southern slopes are low-pitched.

The classic southern route leads to Elbrus’ western summit (5642 m). The route is not technically difficult but requires good physical form, acclimatization and skills in using some alpinist equipment. Our qualified guides will train and help you.

Region: Russia, Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Adyr-Su valley, Elbrus (5642m)
Activity: alpinism, ski-tour
Expedition duration: 11 days
Group size: from 4 persons
Price: 1700 EUR
Advance payment: 25 % of the full price.
In case of the cancellation, prepayment is not refundable.
INDIVIDUAL TOURS ARE POSSIBLE!
ASCENT ITINERARY

DAY 1

Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the Ullu-Tau camp in the Adyr-Su gorge.
Equipment check.

DAY 2

Ski-tour to the valley of the Chot-Chat mountain (3760m).
Descent to the guesthouse.

DAY 3

Ski-tour to the Gumachi pass (3582m).
Return to the guesthouse.

DAY 4

Ski-tour to the Mestia pass (3750m).
Return to the guesthouse.

DAY 5

Transfer to the Terskol village.
Check-in to the hotel.

DAY 6

Ascent by cabin skilift to the hut (3800m).
Check-in to the hut
Acclimatization trek to the Refuge of the 11 (4100m).
Night in the hut

DAY 7

Acclimatization trek to the Pastukhov rocks (4600m).
Night in the hut

DAY 8

Rest day, equipment check.

DAY 9

Summit day.
Early start at 1 am.
The length of the climb is 10-17 hours (ascent 8-12 hours, descend 4-5 hours). Ascent to the summit is possible only in good weather.
Ascent to summit, photo opportunity, return to the hut.
Night in the hut.

DAY 10

Reserve day.
Return to Terskol.
Check-in into the hotel. Free time.

DAY 11

Departure to the Mineralnye Vody airport.

The guide can change the itinerary (without changing its destination) depending on the weather, the condition of the team etc.

THE PRICE OF THE TOUR INCLUDES:

  • Qualified guides
  • Transfer Mineralnye Vody – Adyr-Su – Terskol – Mineralnye Vody
  • Hotel stay and meals
  • Stay and food in the hut
  • Border zone permit
  • Ascent and descend by ski-lifts

THE PRICE OF THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

  • Flight or overland trip to Mineralnye Vody/Pyatigorsk and back
  • Rental of personal alpinist gear
  • Single room accommodation at the hotel
  • Ratrack during the summit night
  • Any changes in the itinerary that cause additional expenditure

PERSONAL GEAR:

  • Harness, self-belay, 3 carabiners
  • Ice axe
  • Glacier glasses, protection level at least Degree 4
  • Googles
  • Summit rucksack, 25-30l
  • Avalanche beeper
  • Avalanche shovel
  • Avalanche probe
  • Ski for ski-tour ascents
  • Ski crampons for ski-tour ascents
  • Sleeping bag, comfort -15C
  • Head lamp, spare battery
  • Thermos 0.5-1 l
  • Sun-protection cream

CLOTHES AND FOOTWEAR:

  • Wind-waterproof jacket-shell and trousers with membrane
  • Warm down jacket till -10C
  • Warm fleece or light-down insulation jacket
  • Baselayer
  • Ski boots for ski-tour ascents
  • Campshoes
  • Gaiters
  • Warm climbing socks
  • Warm gloves
  • Mittens for -20C
  • Warm hat
  • Face mask or buff
  • Personal toiletry kit
  • Personal medicines

It is possible to rent equipment for the entire length of the expedition

DATES IN THE SEASON 2023