If schussing down the wide open slopes of 18,540 foot Mount Elbrus catches your fancy, with an added bonus of learning glacier climbing and avalanche safety skills along the way, then join me on this mountain odyssey on Europe's highest peak. We will cut up the spring corn on the diverse terrain of the Baksan Valley before moving up to the mountain. This will enable the group to acclimatize and review avalanche evaluation techniques and climbing skills needed for the ascent. Then with the assistance of a Snowcat to about 15,000 feet we climb Mount Elbrus and enjoy a descent of more than 6,000 vertical feet.
The Baksan Valley offers diverse terrain, with steep bowls, vast open snowfields and pine forests. After acclimatization hikes and descents in the various tributary valleys of the Baksan valley system the group will ride lifts up the lower slopes of Elbrus to slightly over 12,000 feet. Here we enjoy the excellent food and hospitality of the Barrel Camp while acclimatizing and polishing our skills for our summit attempt.
Climbing Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, is an admirable feat. A volcanic massif located north of the Caucasus main ridge, 18,540 foot Mt. Elbrus rises almost 3,000 feet higher than surrounding peaks. The summit offers breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains and the impressive tributary valley systems feeding the raging waters of the Baksan River. Add a descent on skis or snowboards and you have a complete adventure!
Although climbing Mt. Elbrus does not demand technical skills, good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are required to reach the summit. Our group will use a variety of techniques to reach the summit. Whichever technique you are familiar with our experienced and knowledgeable American and Russian guides are committed to helping each client reach the 18,540 foot summit.