Mount Elbrus, the Top of Europe
(we are not conducting any tips in Russia at this time. We will return, when Russia stops the war, moves out of Ukraine, pays war reparations and all Russian war criminals are at the Hague Criminal Court)

Marek Wencel and Crew Treks Russian/English Speaking Team invite you to join their expedition to the top of Europe.
Mt Elbrus at 5,642m (18,510ft)located in the Caucasus Mountainsis the highest peak in Europe. It is located several miles north of the main crest of the Central CaucasusMountains in the Russian Republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia.
While we acclimatize and climb the mountain, we will have opportunities to explore Eastern European culture, customs and fantastic cuisine.
Although Mt Elbrus is considered non-technical climb, its size, altitude and unpredictable weather make this a serious accent.
We will follow the standard Southern Route on a 9-day climb to the top and in the process we will review basic glacier skills.

Leader: Marek Wencel - Over 20 year experience in the mountains, previous expeditions to the Andes, Himalaya and Alaska.

Price: $3300 all inclusive (see detail below)

GENERAL ITINERARY: Jul 14 2022 - Aug 15 2022 (Same dates in 2023)

Day 1 (Jul 14 )Depart home

Day 2 (Jul 15) Moscow Arrival at DME Airport and transfer to a flight to Mineralnye Vody

A member of Crew Treks staff will meet you at the airport and escort the group to the Baksan valley (4,5h). Check into a hotel. Dinner is served either at the hotel or at the cafe on the road. Our hotel is located in the village of Terskol at the foot of Mt Elbrus. The rooms are simple, comfortable and cozy;each room is with toilet and a shower.

Day 3 (Jul 16) After breakfast we'll have short drive to the cable-car station at Azau where we will take two trams and a chairlift up to the Garabashi lift station 3750m (12,303ft) and we’ll check into the Barrels Refuge. The same day we'll do an acclimatization hike to 4100m (13,451ft) where Priutt 11 Refuge was situated. This night we will spend at the Barrels hut, situated on Elbrus’s slopes close to the Garabashi lift station. Each shelter consists of a sleeping room with 6-8 beds and a small room with a wardrobe, a table and chairs. There is a canteen with kitchen in a separate hut. There is no shower facilities and the toilets are in a separate building.

Day 4 (Jul 17) We'll do acclimatization hike to 4700m (15,1419ft) to the Pastukhov Rocks. The slopes of Elbrus provide panoramic views of the Central Caucasus in every direction. We will overnight second night at the Barrels Hut.

Day 5 (Jul 18) Rest day, third night at Barrels Hut, and gear preparations.

Day 6 (Jul 19) Today we will make an attempt to reach the main target of the trip - summit of Mt. Elbrus. To achieve this goal, we will have alpine start and using headlamps we’ll make our way to Pastukhov Rocks where we stop for a short rest and some drinks. Later in the day, after we reach the saddle between two summits of Elbrus 5300m (17,388) the last stretch will take us to the top. After summiting, the plan is to spend another night in Barrels Camp. Depending on hotel in Terskol availability, we might be able to descend to town too; if we descend early, we will have to pay extra for that night.

Day 7 (Jul 20) Contingency day/extra day or descent. Please be aware, this day is designated for weather delays and not for second summit attempt!

Day 8 (Jul 21) Descend to the hotel in Terskol, and celebrate our summit!

Day 9 (Jul 22) Drive to the airport at Mineralnye Vody and depart for Moscow

Day 10 (July 23) Moscow City walking tour; Red Square, Kremlin, Arbat Street
 

Day 11 (Jul 24) Departure to DME Airport and flight back home
 

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Domestic flight to Mineralnye Wody
• Two-night hotel in Moscow accommodations in Terskol and on the mountain.
• breakfasts and dinners in Terskol and on the mountain.
• bus transportation between MineralnyeVody and the mountain.
• permits and guides fees.
• group gear, ropes, stoves, etc.
• Russian visa assistance and invitation

ITEMS EXCLUDED:

• international flights
• lunches while in the valley
• bottled drinks and alcohol
• Russian visa fees
• single room accommodations (add $120)
• airport taxes
• taxis
• tips
• costs accrued due to delays beyond Crew Treks control (weather, flight delays, accidents, etc.

Flight and Visa Info:

The best way to get to MineralnyeVody (MRV) is either via Moscow’s Sheremetevo Airport (SVO) or Dementevo Airport (DME) or via St. Petersburg (LED)

Russian visa for US Citizens and permanent residents can be obtained ONLY in The United States. You can apply NO EARLIER than 90 days before you travel and you will need an invitation from Russia (Crew Treks will supply paperwork)

Crew Treks will assist you with visa application issues; please see the link below for more info. http://www.russianvisaservices.net/visa_req_Russia.php

Insurance

Crew Treks strongly recommends that you enroll with Global Rescue prior to embarking on this trip. Please click on the link below for details and quotes.
The prices are reasonable and the signup process is simple.
https://www.globalrescue.com/partner/crewtreks/
We strongly encourage everyone to purchase travel insurance, which covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, etc.
Travel insurance offers the best possible protection if you have a sudden, unexpected illness or injury prior to or when traveling.
Here are some useful links:
http://www.travelguard.com
http://www.travelexinsurance.com/quote/?nc=1

Required EQUIPMENT LIST:

Items with * can be rented in Terksol

• Double insulated plastic boots*
• Crampons*
• Climbing Harness, including main locking carabineer*
• Down Jacket*
• Ice Axe*
• Warm Gloves-mittens*
• Warm Hat
• Hiking Boots – Gore-Tex or waterproofed leather*
• Sleeping Bag (15 degrees F/ Synthetic or down)*
• Back Pack (medium to large size, 65 liters or bigger)*
• Trekking poles*
• Headlamp*
• Sleeping pad
• Sun glasses+ski goggles
• CLOTHING:
• Light to mid weight synthetic top
• Mid Weight synthetic bottoms
• Extra synthetic top lightweight
• Fleece jacket (200-300 weight) or down jacket or down sweater with hood (optional)
• Gore-Tex jacket/parka with hood or equivalent*
• Gore-Tex pants or equivalent (shell pants)*
• Hiking/Trekking pants
• Wool or synthetic socks (2-3 pairs)
• Synthetic Liner socks (2-3 pairs) optional
• Lightweight fleece or synthetic gloves (windproof/water resistant preferred)
• Wool/pile hat
• Sunhat, sunglasses
• Tennis shoes to walk around town and at the lodge.
• LUNCH/SNACKS
• Variety of nuts, power bars, dried fruit, energy gels, crackers, GU jells, powder drinks for mixing-Gatorade, or so. (Suggestion here; divide snacks into daily Ziploc portions)
• Two wide mouth Nageline water bottles
• Required Medications:
• Antibiotics-Cipro-for food poisoning/lower body infections, Amoxicillin-for upper body/respiratory infections, Aspirin-helps in acclimatization, Diomax-helps in acclimatization.

Live your Dreams-If not Now, then When?

More Questions?

marek@crewtreks.com

Call 206-227-3788