Climb Elbrus - 5,642 m (Elbruz ) - Summer 2007

Start your "Seven Summits" quest by climbing to the roof of Europe with Smiler Cuthbertson

Smiler will once again, in July next year, be leading a group of climbers to the summit of Elbrus, in the Central Caucasus. Why don’t you join the party?

A straightforward but wonderful climb to this easiest of all the Seven Summits.
Smiler will forego all the unnecessary extras that are usually included in other company itineraries, less sightseeing and more time for the main objective, to climb the peak! This proved very effective in 2004 as the team was able to spend more time acclimatising while climbing nearby training peaks. The team was then based close to the summit, waited for the great weather, and  successfully reached the summit.

You will appreciate the surprisingly luxurious accommodation in the hotels we use, both in Moscow, our main destination for airport changeovers, and in Terskol, close to the peak itself. We will stay in one of the mountain huts on the mountain, enabling us to acclimatise and be ready for the summit day.

However, although we concentrate our vacation on climbing Elbrus itself, we will visit Red Square, the Kremlin and other fabulous sights in this terrific, modern city.

If you would like to have a Russian experience, and get to the real roof of Europe without too many frills, then this is the trip for you!

Don't Talk About it. Get it Done!  

View some great photos of Elbrus.

Some background Information...

Moscow

Moscow is a truly fascinating city, vibrant, with a wonderful historic culture and yet right up in the 21st century. Everything is here, amazing architecture, including one of the world’s most interesting and efficient metro systems. A great place to visit.

 

Elbrus

Elbrus itself was first summited by the British party of Grove, Gardiner and Walker in 1874. The eastern, lower, summit was reached however in 1868 on an exploratory expedition by another British party.

This important summit used to be considered to be in a remote area, because, since the downfall of the eastern block, much of the infrastructure had collapsed; making travel awkward and accommodation difficult to find. However, nowadays, with the growth of the Russian economy, Russia has become the place to visit. With the Russian ski industry booming, Terskol has become a major tourist location, and facilities are fully available as in any major mountaineering location.

Our Russian hosts go out of their way to be helpful and with their help things go very smoothly. Situated at the foot of Elbrus, Terskol itself is a great little town. We find lots of activity here with great social scenes in the bars because of the many visiting climbers from all parts of the world – in the height of the climbing season, a real ‘Chamonix in the East’.
There is also plenty of inexpensive climbing gear to buy or rent, thanks to a great exchange rate against the Russian ruble.

A great snow climb – to the true Roof of Europe.

 

Click here to find Elbrus

maps.expedia.com