Elbrus North to South Traverse

Elbrus North to South Traverse
Height (m)

5642
Duration

9 days
Difficulty

Moderate

$894.00

Why should you choose us to guide your Elbrus North to South traverse? First off, because you are going to entrust our guides to care for your very own life and health. Unfortunately, accidents do happen in the mountains, and having reliable people to safeguard and take care of you is crucial.

Our hotel and our refuge on Elbrus slope – along with our own equipment and outfit rental (the newest and biggest on Elbrus foothill) – are all designed to provide for your high profile and safe rest.

All expeditions mentioned in Schedule and Services section are available upon request, regardless of the number of climbers in group.

We offer also programs for family vacation – rest and recreation for your family members while you are busy climbing Mount Elbrus.

Participants:

About the tour

Please note that unlike other guiding companies, we always climb Elbrus’s higher West summit (5642m) and not the lower East one (5621m) – in order to avoid possible disaccord between our group members.

Elbrus North to South traverse is little different from an Elbrus climb from the North. And the little difference is in a bit heavier backpack and more comfortable accommodation during descent. This climbing route allows to see both sides of Mt. Elbrus along with ridges and snowy summits of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, in addition to the fields and meadows on Elbrus’s northern slopes.

When climbing Elbrus from the North, you wouldn’t see any hotels, highways or restaurants. Instead, you will be able to enjoy night views of some Caucasian towns and ancient moraines decorated with amazing lava sculptures. And towering over this incredible beauty is huge Mt. Elbrus.

Located in this area, at an elevation of 3000 m, is a vast plateau – a natural landing field. During WWII the Nazi were using it for landing of troops. Those climbers who choose to climb Elbrus from the South cannot see all this.

We offer you a true mountaineering experience when climbing Elbrus from the North, with sleeping in tents, with mountain brooks – all of that full of romantic appeal.

You will hear or see no sign of civilization on this route – only mountains and nature.

9-day Schedule for a Guided Elbrus North to South Traverse.

Day 1. Meeting at Mineralnye Vody airport or railway station, taking a ride to Emanuel glade.
Day 2. Acclimatization hike with equipment to the refuge at 3700m, followed by descent. Sleeping in tents or huts on Emanuel glade.
Day 3. Hike to the refuge.
Day 4. Acclimatization hike to Lents Rocks (4700m). Staying overnight at refuge (3700m).
Day 5. Rest day. Preparations for summiting. Staying overnight at refuge (3700m).
Day 6. Summiting Mt. Elbrus, with start at 2 or 4 AM as the guide decides. Climbing Elbrus takes 6 to 10 hours.
Day 7. Reserved in case of having bad weather.
Day 8.  Descent and transfer to Mineralnye Vody. Hotel checking in, taking a walk.
Day 9. Transfer to Mineralnye Vody airport.

To give you peace of mind, the package tours we offer, as a rule, include all expenses you may face.

Included in the cost of Elbrus North to South Traverse:

    • Hotel with accommodation in double and triple rooms. Duration of stay depends
    • Accommodation in huts. Duration of stay according to the climb schedule.
    • All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
    • Meals three times a day throughout the trip. Dinner on the first day, breakfast – on the last.
    • All required permits and registrations.
    • Mountain guides: one leading guide for the program of Elbrus South to North traverse and several assistants for the day of summiting, with a strict proportion of 1 guide per three climbers. This means that if there are four clients in a group, there will be two guides for them. We have no limitation of attempts for the group to summit.
    • Equipment for the group (ropes, ice screws, radios, first aid set, satellite navigators/GPS).

Not included in the cost of Elbrus North to South Traverse:

  • Single accommodation
  • Personal equipment
  • Services of guides and cooks in case of any deviations to the original schedule.

List of equipment for Elbrus traverse from the North to South.

Documents

  • Valid passport
  • Airline tickets
  • Voucher (a form, which was sent to you for obtaining visa)
  • Insurance

Personal equipment

  • Backpack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Ski/treking poles
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • Harness
  • 5 Carabines
  • 7 meters of 5 or 6 mm rope

Clothing and shoes.

  • Wind and waterproof layer – Pants and Jacket. Gore-Tex, for example.
  • Fleece pants and jacket
  • Thermo underwear layer – top and bottom
  • Dawn jacket.
  • Mittens
  • Thick gloves
  • Thin gloves
  • Bandana
  • Warm hat
  • Underwear, socks and so on
  • Some warm socks for a summit day
  • Balaclava
  • Windproof face mask
  • Gators
  • Jogging shoes or hiking boots
  • Double or triple boots

Travel Accessories

  • Headlamp
  • Shower accessories, toothpaste, toothbrush
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Vitamins
  • Thermos (1 liter, better without button)
  • Sunblock and lip balm
  • Personal medical kit
  • Spare contact lenses or glasses
  • Knee supports

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