Mt. Elbrus
At 18,506', it's the highest point in Europe!

As the summit of Europe, Mt. Elbrus is also the highest point in the Caucasus mountains, a range of almost 1,000 miles long. The mountain resides in Russian republics of Karachay-Cherkess and Kabardin-Balkar. 

Prior to the ascent, several days are spent acclimatizing in the beautiful local mountains surrounding Elbrus, where pine forests, alpine meadows and glacial rivers abound. The ascent of Elbrus is a "reasonable" and challenging ascent for fit climbers with basic mountaineering snow and ice skills.

Our group will first meet in New York, and then fly together to Moscow, where we will rest up for the long journey ahead. Departing the next way, we will take a two-hour flight to Mineralnye Vody, a long 4-hour bus ride that will lead into the Caucasus Mountains and the Baksan Valley, the base of our operations for the first part of the expedition. In 40 miles, the Baksan Valley leads into the range, and contains one of the largest developed areas, party due to the mineral wealth of the area and the beautiful mountains, which surrounds it.

The Caucasus form a chain of high, alpine mountains separating the Republic of Georgia form that of Russia to the north. There mountains in the range over 5,000 meters, and just north of the main chain, lies Europe’s highest summit, Mt. Elbrus, which stands at 18, 505’ (5,642m). Elbrus is a dormant volcano, somewhat cylindrical in shape, which is highlighted by two peaks (with the West peak being the highest).

From our classic “Ukraine” style lodge in the Baksan, we will take several day trips into the surrounding mountains to acclimatize for our final climb on Mt. Elbrus. Cheget, a peak that stands at approximately 11,800’, will be our first objective. A short ski lift ride and a moderate trail and some easy scrambling takes us into the alpine region of this lovely region. The views of Mt. Elbrus and Mt. Donguz-Orun are stunning! Our low intensity day trips in this are fun and easy, which makes it much easier to prepare for our days on Elbrus.

Following days will take the group onto Elbrus, which will also include some ice axe self-arrest practice and some roped climbing review. Our Mountain Experience Russian mountain guide will host us there, on the slopes of Elbrus. Our highest acclimatization hike will include a trip to Pastukhov Rocks, at 15,740’. Following this experience, climbers will be prepared for the high altitudes we will encounter during the “summit climb.”

After an early morning rise before sunlight, we will ascend the gradually steepening slopes of our main objective, Mt. Elbrus. Several rest-breaks will be taken along the way, and it is likely the day will be cold and brisk, with some wind encountered along the way. The final stretch to the summit is along a small snow and rock ridge, which leads to the summit of Europe. Following a short break and some “hero shots,” we will slowly descend the mountain and return to the Baksan Valley, for a well-deserved night of sleep.

Our schedule will allow 3 possible summit days, just in case the weather is poor, or if someone on the team is not feeling well or not acclimating quickly enough. Any extra time here will be spent hiking and climbing extra peaks in the Baksan Valley, and doing some shopping for friends and relatives back home.

Upon returning to Moscow, we’ll have a final celebration dinner and finish up with some sight-seeing and touring around the area, including the famed Red Square. Participants will fly home the next day, with connecting flights in New York and then a well-deserved reunion with friends and family upon returning home.

Background Requirements

Fitness: Climbers should be fit enough for 4-14 hour climbing days at altitudes between 12,000’ and 18,500’, and should be in an aerobic fitness training program prior to the start of the trip. Check our Training overview for more information and tips.

Experience: Participants should have basic snow and ice climbing skills, and be comfortable using ice axe and crampons while being roped up on a glacier. A basic mountaineering course and some high-altitude experience is also a very helpful on this expedition.

Page update on May 04, 2004