Russia: Expedition to Mount Elbrus (5642m), a trip with a Russian Mountain Guide 7 Summits Club Collection
Trip overview:
Mineralny Vody – Terskol – Elbrus (5642m) – Terskol – Mineralny Vody
Why go there?
If asked about the highest and most dramatic mountains of Europe nine out of ten Europeans will answer “the Alps”. Yet, the grandest and by far the highest mountain chain of Europe (seven summits over 5000m plus Mt.Elbrus with its 5642m) is the Caucasus stretching between the Black and Caspian seas in the continent’s south-eastern corner. And undoubtedly, Mt. Elbrus, this white double-headed dormant volcano, is the highest, most beautiful and most alluring mountain in Russia.
Elbrus belongs to a handful of mountains with a very special and irresistible kind of beauty which lies in their shape and setting. Most of them are volcanoes, such as Fujiyama, Ararat and Kilimanjaro, and like all these, this mountain is a world apart. It stands 11km north from the Main Range and exceeds its neighbors in height by 1200-2000m. The views from both the summits are breathtaking: to north it is a rolling carpet of pastures veiled by the blue haze of distance and on all the other sides the sea of snowy peaks. It is said that through the clear air of autumn you can see both the Black and Caspian seas.
Why go with 7 Summits Club?
Six points to consider:
1. Everyone knows: the key figure on any adventure trip is the guide. All our guides have international certificates, fluent English (plus some other European language) and can guide on all the three popular Elbrus routes: the classic, from north and south-west. All our guides work with our groups abroad: in Nepal, South America, Alaska and Africa.
2. We are the only Russian company, which has its own office in Terskol village. Our English speaking manager can solve practically all clients’ problems.
3. Not many people are ready to buy all the gear needed for climbing to 5600m (the list is really long and expensive!), so gear rentals can be a good answer to this. We offer 10% discount if you rent in our office.
4. On the mountain we do not put our clients in the notorious Barrels. Instead we use the newly built shiny steel&glass LeapRus refuge at 3930m, modern, clean, with no rusty metal constructions and barracks around.
5. Last but not least: Elbrus climb certificates for clients who made it to the summit. And Elbrus T-shirts with Elbrus, of course!
6. The type of hotel is less important for the success on the mountain, but still most western clients would prefer the European level of service, i.e. with the hotel staff speaking good English and ready to solve quickly your problem.
- 08 Days/07 Nights
- April to September
- Easy
Travel Program
Day 1:
Arrival to Mineralnye Vody (MRV). Transfer to the Baksan Valley (3,5-4h). Accommodation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please plan your arrival to Mineralny Vody before 12PM. If you arrive much later, be ready to pay 60-70USD for an individual car transfer.
Day 2:
Acclimatization climb to 2700m. Return to the hotel. Visit the rental gear office to organize and try on rented gear.
Day 3:
Arrival to Azau cable car station (2356m) by bus. Ascend (4000m) to the Base Camp. We leave our things in the
mountain hut where we will stay later that night, and will ascend a bit further to acclimatise. We will pass several
huts and in about 1,5h we will arrive to the famous Refuge of 11 (burnt down in 1998) 4100m. Here we spend a
couple of hours on snow training (crampons, ropes) and then we go back down to our hut for the night
Day 4:
Acclimatization climb to 4600-4800m. Night in the Base Camp mountain hut.
Day 5:
Rest-day and preparation. Dinner and night in the hut.
Day 6:
Elbrus summit day. Depending on weather and forecast we may start from 2 to 4am. While ascend we can take a
lift with a Snow Cat to ~4700m (see the ‘price does not include’ section). Ascend duration takes approximately
8-12h. Normally we descend the same day to the valley so we can enjoy our great hotel. In case of late arrival to
the cable car station, we can stay in the hut.
Day 7:
Reserve day (in case if summit attempt (Day 6) was aborted because of the bad weather). Descent to the hotel (if
we stayed in the hut). Full resting day in hotel (if the Elbrus was climbed on Day 6). Party in the evening!
Day 8:
The last breakfast in the hotel. Check out and transfer to the Mineralny Vody airport. IMPORTANT NOTE: Our
group transfer from the hotel to the airport starts in the afternoon, please, plan your flight to Moscow after 18.00.
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
What's Included
Services included in the prices:
- All land group transfers according to the program
- Accommodation (3-4 nights)
- Accommodation in our special huts on Elbrus (3-4 nights)
- Meals: full board (from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8)
- One English speaking guide + extra guides during the night of ascent (one guide per 3 climbers)
- Elbrus cable cars return tickets
- Elbrus National Park fees
- Visa invitation if needed (depending on the nationality)
- 7 Summits Club t-shirt, buff and a small foldable backpack.
- Special 7 Summits Club Elbrus meda
Not included:
- International and domestic flights expences
- Moscow services
- Single accommodation supplement
- Individual car transfers
- Personal equipment rentals
- Personal guides and porters during the ascent night
- Insurance (medical and other)
- Snow Cat service on summit day. (This must be paid in cash in Rubles, though if needed, your guides can
assist if you only have USD left. The price for snow groomer depends on the height and day rate. The costs
will be between 5000 and 20 000 rub, which is approximately $75-300. - Services of the assistant guides on reserve day (Day 7). If the first summit attempt (Day 6) took place but
was aborted, the work of the assistant guides on Day 7 should be paid in cash on the spot (except bad
weather circumstances). - Changes in the program
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, mountaineering or mountaineering is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
Hiking backpack for hiking 30 to 40 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-10º to 15ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 20 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Technical Equipment for High Altitude Expedition Mountains
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness, we recommended GRIVEL company
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
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» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
| 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
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| — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD |
Deposit for reservations: * 300,00 USD (38.019,00 Rubles) ✓ Full payment 30 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: 
*Available
Trip-code: Number
Duration: 08 days
Participants: Minimal: 6 Maximal: 10
Country / Location: Russia
Mountain Guide: Alexder Abramov and Vladimir Kotlyar, 7 Summits Club managers
Other dates / additional info:
Marina Nemirova and Yury Kolomiets
Manager-guide of 7 Summits Club for Elbrus – Russia
www.klub7vershin.ru
www.7summits-club.com
7 Summits Club Ltd.
B. Sampsonievskiy Av.#45,
St. Petersburg, RUSSIA
+7 916 634 40 43 Anastasia
+7 921 185 25 28 Luba
+7 916 390 88 96 Alex
+7 916 390 88 51 Luda
+7 916 178 76 02 Marina
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2023
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.
Korobeshko Ludmila
- Phone: +7 (495) 642-88-66
- Executive Director.
- The first Russian woman to complete the 7 Summits Project.
- Visited the North and South Poles.
- The third Russian woman to climb Everest
- World record in the speed of climbing 7 Peaks among women
- Mountain guide. Director of the 7 Summits Club.
- He has been climbing and organizing expeditions for 20 years.
- The last 15 years – professionally.
- He has about 100 ascents of varying degrees of difficulty in various countries of the world.
- In 2016, she climbed the summit of Everest three times. Leader of successful expeditions to Cho Oyu (8201) and Manaslu (8163)
Abramov Alexander
- Phone: +7 (495) 642-88-66
- President of the 7 Summits Club.
- Master of Sports of the USSR in mountaineering, 54 years old, professional mountaineer. Mountaineering instructor, mountain guide, high-altitude cameraman. Active member of the Russian Geographical Society.
- Initiator and leader of several well-known projects, such as: “7 Peaks”, “Land Rover on Elbrus”.
- He has been climbing and organizing expeditions and competitions for 28 years.
- The last 25 years – professionally.
- Has made more than 150 ascents of varying difficulty in dozens of countries.
- Organizer and participant of 11 Himalayan expeditions.
Good advice
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Group transfers from the Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) to Terskol are included in the price. Please plan
your arrival to Mineralny Vody before 12PM. If you arrive much later, you might need to pay 60-70USD for
the individual transfer. - For the same reason plan your return flight from Mineralny Vody to Moscow (on the last day of the trip)
after 6PM. - Most countries need a visa to visit Russia, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Russia for all
details. Note that most of Latin American South African and Israeli citizens (amongst a few others) do NOT
need a visa. If you do need a visa, we will supply the invitation letter.
Necessary travel papers (documents)
Passport with a valid Russian visa, immigration card, voucher from the Russian tour operator (a part of an
invitation letter). See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Russia for details, we will supply the
requested invitation lettter/voucher.
By air and by land
From Moscow to Mineralny Vody you will fly with a Russian air company. Normally it is “Aeroflot”, but there might
be alternatives. Please plan your arriving to Mineralny Vody before 1PM in order to join our group transfer from
MRV Airport to Terskol (departure at 13.00/1 AM). If you arrive much later, be ready to pay extra for individual
transfer (60-70USD, could be more).
For land transfers we have comfortable private buses or minivans. To get to our Refuge we use Elbrus Cable-way;
from 3750m to 4600m/5100 on the Elbrus summitt we normally take a Snow Cat (not included in the price!).
Accommodation
A hotel in the Baksan Valley.
On Elbrus: our special huts. From 2019 we will use our new hut, which has single beds: no more dangerous and
annoying bunk beds with moving upstairs neighbours, enough space for your boots, clothes and gear!
Meals
Full board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
Staff
An English speaking guide from 7 Summit Club for the whole program and extra guides for the Elbrus summit day
(2-3 clients per guide); a cook at the hut.
Health and medical insurance
Health-care on the mountain is limited to the first-aid kit the guide carries. Down in the valley in case of serious
health problems the local hospital and your insurance policy are to take over. Your policy must cover climbing to
6000m/20,000ft.
Weather
As on any high mountain a wide range of weather conditions and temperatures should be expected: from freezingcold nights (down to -5/-10ºC, 20-10F), to sizzling hot afternoons if it’s still and sunny (especially on the snow);
from a delicious calm under a blue sky to a hurricane slashing your face like a whip. The higher you go, the
harsher the conditions. So, the range of your clothes and footwear must comply with any of such possibilities. For
details see our gear list below.
Extra expenses
In Caucasus meals are relatively cheap: you can have a decent additional meal with meat and beer for 8-10USD.
Internet, phone
Wi-fi access to Internet in each room in our hotel; cell phone works in the Baksan Valley and on Elbrus up to
5000m.
Possibility of renting personal equipment
Any climbing gear you can rent in our office in Terskol.
Personal gear
- Heavy-weight fleece jacket
- Light/medium-weight, synthetic long underwear shirt (polypropylene/capilene)
- Water proof / breathable jacket with hood (Gore Tex is strongly recommended)
- Long sleeve, light weight shirt for sun protection (preferably synthetic)
- Down or synthetic fill jacket with hood, must fit comfortably over your fleece jacket
- Fleece pants (full side zips allow ventilation)
- Thermal under wear
- Wind- waterproof and breathable pants with full length zips
- Liner socks – 2-3 pairs
- Wool or poly socks (medium-heavy thickness) – 3 pairs
- Light weight trekking boots, or strong shoes
- Climbing boots, plastic of leather – must be right for step-in crampons
- Gaiters
- Liner gloves – 2 pairs
- Medium weight fleece gloves
- Wool or fleece mittens
- Wind-stop shell overmittens
- Wool or fleece hat
- Balaclava
- Glacier glasses with side flaps
- Extra pair of your normal glasses, or lenses
- Climbing gear:
- Double climbing boots
- Crampons (must fit your climbing boots)
- Collapsible ski poles
- Down or synthetic sleeping bag good for -10ºC/-20F
- Sleeping closed cell foam pad
- Rucksack (40-50liters)
- Harness
- Prussik ropes
- Karabiners with screwgate lockers – 3 items
- 1-1.5 liters thermos
- Personal first aid kit
- Head torch
- Water bottle
- Lip balm (spf 25+) and glacier cream (spf 40)
- Pocket knife
- Favorite snacks