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Elbrus climb - North Explorer 1
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:
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Season: June - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1390 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1435 US Dollar (USD)
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This climb is a small expedition. The walk from the Baksan valley to the starting point of the first ascent route of 1829 to East Summit takes 4 days. On the way to the northern hut we walk up a beautiful valley with the view of the white cone of Elbrus ahead, make an acclimatizing ascent to a pass (3550m) and cross another pass (3670m). After the climb we take a different way back to civilization, over three passes, but not on foot as on North Explorer 1. A truck or 4WD bus will wait for us under the route, at the Djilisu warm Narzan springs and in 3-4hr will bring back to the hotel in the Baksan valley.
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 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: (B), (L).
Day 2: In the morning we take a bus and in 10min come to Elbrus village at the mouth of the Irikchat valley leading to the eastern flank of Elbrus. The latter rises majestically above its upper reaches while we walk on a good path to the next campsite at about 3000m. 6-7hr. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: It is just an acclimatizing day, so the morning is lazy and we do not have a certain point to reach. We climb on scree and broken rocks towards the Irik pass, which may be gained if the group is fit and willing. A return from a lower point is more likely though. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: On this rather strenuous day we cross the Irikchat pass (3670m). The way up is on a good path at first, then on easy screes, and the final rise to the saddle is a well beaten path on a steeper scree. Almost all the northern side of Elbrus opens out from the pass. In descent we rope up and go down the snow slope of 30*, about 150m long, with two or three crevasses easily avoided. When on the glacier we walk north crossing the impressive Djikaugenkez snow field, the largest in the Caucasus, flat and crevasse-free. We camp on alluvial ground in a lunar looking volcanic desert at a bit higher than 3000m. 8-9hr. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: An easier day. It takes us 4-5hr to weave our way through the green moraines of the northern foothills studded with fantastic rock outcrops to a campsite in a small grassy cirque at the edge of the “air-field” (2900m). Two minor streams will be waded on the way. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Today we go the hut, about 4hr on a steep path, moraines and flat glacier. In case the hut is full, which is unlikely, we camp on the ready-made tent sites above the hut. Hut/Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: For better acclimatization we spend this day climbing to the lower end of the Lents Rocks (4800m), which goes straight to East Summit. There may be some crevasses there, so we rope up. 5-6hr. Hut/Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Ascent of East Summit (weather, physical state and experience permitting, West one is an open option). We start early in the morning, and the climb (roped up) with descent takes 10-14hr. The slope is as gentle as on the classic route, yet again, it is protected from the prevailing south and south-west winds and is practicable (especially in descent) when the southern side is all wind and white-out. The immense sweep of the green pastures rolling into the blue haze of the horizon to the north is the main sight, breathtaking, giddy. Hut. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: A reserve day to make up for day 10, if the climb was excluded by bad weather. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: This day, after the exertions of the previous one, will be short. We go back to our camp site near the “air field” and relax there. Camp. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Not too late in the morning we strike the camp and go down to Djilisu warm Narzan springs where a 4WD will wait for us. The place is a sort of spa, well known for its warm (22 C) Narzan baths, considered to be of high curative value. A grey concrete castle (not finished hotel), several lodges with basic facilities, summer farms scattered around are the scene. Two rough roads connecting the place with Kislovodsk (one of the towns of the Mineralny Vody area) and Tyrnyauz (in the Baksan valley) make the place fairly busy during the summer months. The drive back to civilization, to Tyrnyauz takes 3-4hr, 40-50min more to the hotel. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: We drive (3-3.5hr) to Mineralny Vody and fly to Moscow. Included: (B), (L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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