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Elbrus climb - South-west Explorer
offered by supplier M09540 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 12
day(s)
Group Size: 5
- 16
people
Destination(s):
Russia
Specialty Categories:
Ice Climbing
Season: June - August
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1880 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1940 US Dollar (USD)
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Even though it uses the lower run of Elbrus Cableway, the route is far from being a “cosy classic”! Technically is only a bit harder. And that can easily outweigh the inconvenience of camping 3 or 4 nights on snow at the starting point. The campsite is in a small flat cirque, well protected from wind. The acclimatizing is done in the Adylsu valley, close and home-like.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: In the morning we fly from Moscow to Mineralny Vody (2hr) and from the airport drive for 3-3.5hr in a bus on a good metal road across plains, through small towns and villages into the Baksan valley, up to its head where our hotel stands in a pine forest at about 1800m. It is the first one there of the European standards. Features: heated swimming pool, access to telephone trunk line from rooms, access to Internet etc. Food: sumptuous Buffet breakfast, dinner with 3-4 dishes for choice, lunch-packets for outings. Hotel. Included: (L), (D).
Day 2: We drive in a bus (20min) up the Adylsu to the road-head with a climbing base there (not functioning). There pitch our tents in a pine grove and walk on a good path up the Kashkatash valley to about 3000m. On the way down a short initiation to cramponning (or brushing up the technique) on the bare glacier. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Today we scramble up a good even if rather steep path winding up the meadows and shattered rocks to the VCSPS pass (3310m). Weather and fitness permitting we can turn there to the left and go further up along the ridge of Andyrchi peak. Descent to the camp. 7-9hr. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: We strike camp and walk on a good path in the forest, then on meadows along the river to the head of the Adylsu valley (2-2.5hr). There we pitch our tents on the wide meadow not far from the glaciologists’ station (2700m). For those not tired after the previous days a short outing to 3000m with a good view of a dramatic glacier cirque with several north walls. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Ascent of Gumachi peak (3890m) standing in the Main Range. We rope up and walk on a large crevassed glacier. The climb itself is 150m of snow up to 30*, then some easy rock scrambling (on a fixed rope if need be). 8-9hr with return to base. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: We reverse our way to the road-head (1.5-2hr) and go in a bus to our hotel for rest and shower. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: In the morning we queue at the lower station of Elbrus Cable-way and in 15min a cabin brings us to Stary Krugozor station (2920m). From there we take a good path over screes, cross the rough part of the Greater Azau glacier, skirt the vast Khotyutau ice field and walk on snow, slowly gaining height, towards West Shoulder. We camp at its foot at 3900m. 6-7hr. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Acclimatizing ascent of West Shoulder (4950m), including a useful familiarizing ourselves with the route. It consists of a steep (35-40*) snow slope, level but rather narrow and exposed snow ridge 60m long then a wide one, 25-30* with several narrow crevasses. 5-6hr return. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Ascent of West Summit (5642m). Above the Shoulder the route goes over vast undulating snow fields, past the southern rock buttress of the double-headed West Summit to the final rise with its hard wind-chiseled snow of 25-30*. 10-14hr with descent. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: A reserve day to make up for day 10, if the climb was excluded by bad weather. Camp/ Hotel. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: In 4-5hr we reverse our way to the Azau Station and come back to the hotel. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Drive to Mineralny Vody airport and flight to Moscow. Included: (B), (L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Ice Climbing
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