CLIMBING TO ELBRUS BY NORTH ROUTE 2024

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 Northern route to the Elbrus summit is popular among mountaineers from all countries as a good alternative to the southern one. This itinerary offers the classic path to Elbrus from the North, along the way of its first climb, flowing the steps of the expedition of General Georgy Emanuel. The guide of this expedition Kilar Hashirov reached the top on July 10, 1829, and became the first man on the Elbrus summit.

You will have to trek the entire itinerary from the foot of the mountain to its top in wilderness, with your rucksack on your own back. This will make the climb fully your own. There is no tourist infrastructure on the Northern route – no hotels, refuges, restaurants, ski-lifts or ratracks.

Region: Russia, Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Elbrus (5642m)
Activity: alpinism
Expedition duration: 10 days
Group size: from 4 persons
Price: 1250 USD
Advance payment: 25 % of the full price.
In case of the cancellation, prepayment is not refundable.
INDIVIDUAL TOURS ARE POSSIBLE!
ASCENT ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrival to Mineralnye Vody.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Personal equipment check and adjustment.

DAY 2

Transfer to the foot of Elbrus (Emmanuel Meadow base camp, 2500m), 3 hours.
Walk to the Dzhily-Su meadow, to the mineral springs valley.

DAY 3

Acclimatization trek and equipment transfer to the Northern refuge (3800m). Return to the base camp

DAY 4

Trek to the moraine hut (the Northern refuge, 3800m).

DAY 5

Acclimatization trek to the Lentz rocks to the altitude of 4600m.
Snow and ice technique lessons, gear training.
Night at the refuge at 3800m

DAY 6

Rest and preparation to the summit day.
Night at the refuge at 3800m

DAY 7

Climb to the Elbrus summit and return to 3800m.
Start at 1-2am.
The length of the climb is 8-15 hours.
Descent to the camp at 3800m 3-4 hours.
Night in the hut at 3800m.

DAY 8

Reserve day for the case of bad weather or return to the Emmanuel Meadow base camp

DAY 9

Return to town, check-in at the hotel

DAY 10

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 – Kislovodsk – Dzhily-Su and back
  • Hotel stay
  • Stay and food in the hut
  • Lunch-pack during the trek
  • National Park permit
  • Safety and security (registration at Rescue Service, radio connection, medical kit)

THE PRICE OF THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

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

PERSONAL GEAR:

  • Crampons, well-fitted to the boots
  • Ice axe
  • Harness, self-belay, 3 carabiners
  • Adjustable ski poles
  • Glacier glasses, protection level at least Degree 4
  • Googles
  • Rucksack, 60-70 l
  • Summit rucksack 25-30 l
  • Sleeping bag, comfort -15 C
  • 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 for -20 C
  • Warm fleece or light-down insulation jacket
  • Baselayer
  • Mountaineering boots (plastic or double)
  • Campshoes
  • Gaiters
  • Warm climbing socks
  • Warm gloves
  • Mittens for -20 C
  • 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 2024

  • 07.06 – 16.06
  • 14.06 – 23.06
  • 21.06 – 30.06
  • 28.06 – 07.07
  • 05.07 – 14.07
  • 12.07 – 21.07
  • 19.07 – 28.07
  • 26.07 – 04.08
  • 02.08 – 11.08
  • 09.08 – 18.08
  • 16.08 – 25.08
  • 23.08 – 01.09
  • 30.08 – 08.09
  • 06.09 – 15.09