Climbing Mt. Elbrus (5642m) Europe s highest peak - 9 days

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1 Climbing Mt. Elbrus (5642m) Europe s highest peak - 9 days Elbrus is a volcanic massif to the north of the Caucasus Main Ridge. The ascent begins from the Baksan Valley and follows the south slope of mountain Elbrus. The trip is not technically difficult but it does require the use of crampons and an ice axe. A systematic programme of acclimatization is essential prior to making the ascent. The climb itself may take between 6-10 hours; the descent another 4-6 hours. The main obstacles are high altitude, fog, wind and cold. This no technical climb is a test of stamina, and with proper acclimatization and good weather, you can reach the summit. You will have enough time to acclimatize and learn technical climbing skills before a summit day. The best time for this climbing is June September. This program starts at the airport Mineralnye Vody and can be scheduled with flight from Moscow. Itinenary of 9 days Mt. Elbrus Climb Day 1 Arrive in Min.Vody. A member of Len Alp Tours staff will meet you at the airport. with the sign""lenalptours This representative will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to the Baksan valley (4,5h). Check into a hotel.dinner is served either at the hotel or at the cafe on the road. If the bus leaves the air port late than 6.00 p.m. we provide members with dinner-boxes on the road. *A hotel is situated in the village of Terskol. The rooms are comfortable and cosy, with a toilet and a shower. Day 2 Acclimatization hike to Cheget peak (3000m) will take us about 5 hours. It is so nice to relax at the "Ai" cafe (2750m a.s.l.) where you can appreciate a panoramic view of the Baksan valley and the twin summits of Mt. Elbrus. Ascent of the Mt.Cheget top and then return to the hotel. Day 3 After breakfast we'll have 15 minutes drive to the cable-car station Azau. Take two trams and a chairlift up to the Garabashi lift station (3750m). Check into the Refuge. The same day we'll do an acclimatization hike to 4100 m (where Priutt 11 Refuge was situated). We will spend the night in the hut, situated on Elbrus slope close to the Garabashi lift station. Each hut consists of a sleeping room with 4-6 beds. There is a canteen with kitchen in a separate hut. The toilets are in a separate facility. Day 4 We'll do an acclimatization hike to 4700m to the Pastukhov Rocks. The slopes of Elbrus provide panoramic views of the Central Caucasus in every direction. Overnight in the hut. 1 / 15

2 Day 5 Rest day. Training on the glacier. Overnight in the hut. Day 6 Today we will make an attempt to reach the main target of the trip - summit of Mt. Elbrus (5642m). To achieve this goal, we must start very early before dawn. Using headlamps we make our way to Pastukhov Rocks where we stop for a short rest and some drinks. After we reach the saddle (5300m), the summit climb itself will start. When we reach the summit of the highest mountain in Europe, we think that you will realize that your effort was worth the reward. Descent to the hut. Overnight in the hut. Day 7 Descend to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Rest.This day can be used as a back-up day. Day 8 Today we will have hike to Terskol peak(3100 m a.s.l.). There is a magnificent view of Mt. EIbrus. Ascent along the Terskol river and through meadows. 5-6 hrs. Return to the hotel. Afternoon is free. Day 9 Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Departure. ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT Down jacket, GORE-Tex (or similar) jacket & trousers, warm trousers, warm mittens, warm hat, balaclava. Mountain plastic boots, crampons, ice-axe, poles, harness with 2 carabiners and with a piece of rope(2m)for selfbelay. Sun-protection glasses and means of sun-protection for the face. Sleeping bag (for overnights in the Barrels), thermal bottle. Backpack, head lamp. For acclimatization hikes: trekking boots (or sport shoes) and rain proofs. QUOTATION 810 EURO per pax in a group with fixed dates If you book and pay for the tour until December 31, you will get 10% discount THE PRICE INCLUDES *Transfers (a group's bus M.Vody-Terskol-M.Vody, HTL-Azau-HTL), *lift to Elbrus(one way ticket), * TWIN accommodation at a hotel (a room with a toilet and a shower) 4 nights, * accommodation at the Hut (4 nights), * full board, * an English-speaking mountain guide, * mountain guides for summit attempt (1 guide : 3 clients), * a cook (at the Hut), *visa support, registration, THE PRICE DOESN T INCLUDE * Air ticket Mow-M. Vody (return), * Single supplement at the hotel (that should be ordered in advance), * Snow-cat on the summit day,*national Park Prielbrussie permit (including massive of Mt. Elbrus), *Rent of individual equipment,*one extra day in the mount hut (full board, accommodation) *Insurance DATES FOR / 15

3 For more information and reservation, please contact: OPINIONS OF OUR PERFORMANCE: 2015 Climbing the highest mountain of Europe and reaching the summit was quite important for the members of our club. 3 / 15

4 We have completed successfully this activity by reaching the summit and we have seen that doing this with your company was the rightest desicion to make. As we the seven mountaineers, enjoyed the every moment between the pick-up from airport and the turn back. The warm welcome at the hotel and the food were great, at the Barrels Maria s dishes were also perfect and nutriant. Our guide Oleg who was always stayed with us and supported us througout the time we spent there, is a complete professional. We would like to give our special thanks to Oleg for his hospitality and his massive contribution to our success. We will be glad to have a new group from the club which will climb the Elburus next year with your company s support and we already start the planning. We thank; You, Oleg and your team for everything. A kind request from us if the toilets at the Barrels area must be upgraded your guests would be greatful. A.A. 4 / 15

5 2014 Dear Elena, it was nice to meet the person on the end of the s. The hotel was good although the portions were not of the same size as Marianne's at the barrels, which were great. Oleg led us well, although on our second day when we ascended to 4,700m it was hot and I felt he should have taken a few more short drink stops, which would have helped Oliver from getting dizzy and so exhausted. Great feeling to summit, 7 out of 8, and as the girls said, they had 100% success rate- girl power for you. It was very nice of Oleg to take us for a hike on the free day, and for both of you to get up to say goodbye, we were very impressed at the dedication. We English loved your mountains and overall had a great trip, so thank you very much indeed. Best wishes, Andy, Debs and Jo Dear Elena, unfortunately I had no occasion to say good bye to our guide Igor on Sunday before leaving to the airport. I would like to express my deep respect for the very professional approach, lead and assistance during the whole trip but especially on the summit day where we met some unfavorable weather conditions. The complete tour was very good organized. We had in the hotel but also on the barrels various and very good food. 5 / 15

6 Our camp cook Maria served us fantastic meals. We had the occasion to meat very interesting local people but also climbers from all over the world. Making a summary, I had a wonderful stay in the Baksan Valley area and I am happy and proud to have been guided by your team but especially by Igor on my Elbrus climb. Thank you and perhaps on another occasion we will have the chance to meet again.please forward my greetings also to Igor. With best regards Harry Christian Hi Elena, once again Thank You so much for our tour arrangements and everything that allow us to have such a great time in the Caucasus. I apologize for not saying a proper good bye last time we met, but I hope this will compensate a bit. Since we did not have the chance to write down some comments and feedback about the tour I will use the opportunity here. All in all both Klaas and I were very happy about all the organization. To start with our guide, Dasha was fantastic. She is experienced, positive, good-natured and knowledgable. For her young age her sense of empathy is extremely well developed and so are her social skills, which seems to me essential for the job, especially when things go rough. 6 / 15

7 Hotel and accommodation in Cheget was of good standing, and the food was really delicious. However I would have really appreciate to have wifi in the room, since for Klaas and I talking to our kids on skype when away is very important. We did use wifi from the square in Cheget, so that worked out. The accommodation in the barrels and food were also good, especially given the fact the high altitude location and difficulties to bring supplies. We thought MariAn was an excellent cook, nothing like a warm meal after exhausting climb. We really appreciated the fact that there was always transport timely waiting for us each and every time from cable cars and also transfer to and from airport. Other circumstances were also nice, such as we were lucky with our group, and also nice to cooperate with the Brazilian group. we also had great luck with the weather. All in all it was a very finely organized tour and I would certainly recommend it if anyone is interested from our friends and acquaintances. Once again, huge Thank you for everything you have done. We can only imagine how such a smooth procedure was not at all easy to achieve. Please Thank also to your team, Dasha and also Sasha and hopefully see you again in the future. We consider coming again in the winter for skiing and snowboarding if all goes well. All the best, Lora / 15

8 Enjoyed the trip, the places we visited and the great mountains! Mountains guides are well trained. Excellent knowledge of the mountains and areas. Support was always there when needed. Thank you for your excellent services. Enjoyed my stay at the hotel. Showers need attention. Food is great. I enjoyed it. All the stuff for power to climb the mountains. The Barrels need to be improved. The toilets must be upgraded if foreign visitors are there. Loved the local pubs and the people there. I will recommend Elbrus to my friends. Mark This is my third trip to Elbrus. Mountasin Guide Vladimir is one person that works very well with clients. He is professional, knoledgable and physically able for the task. At hand I would recommend him anytime. Aleksander Dear Elena 8 / 15

9 From the south continent I want to thanks you and the company for the seriousness for organizing the elbrus experience, and for helping me to get my challenge. Everything just work perfect, food, local trans, lodging, schedule and of course and no less important Alexandra, our leading guide that can control 7 crazy s with just a smile (not always je je). I have the best thought of my first experience with Russian people and the best reference of your company, it is very nice to cross the world alone and to be receive and treated the way you do. your service is strongly recommended. Elena I want to thanks you because everything happened just as you told me, even better. thanks one hundred times, Hugo Thanks for everything! I am very satisfied with how everything was organised. Great job. 9 / 15

10 Say Hi to Igor. Yanko Just want to say thank you for organising the taxi for me last Sunday and also thanks for a very well organised climb. I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Emer. The group August The group successfully climbed Elbrus. The tourist from Britain: 10 / 15

11 The trip was good, very well organized and planned. However it would be better to have a rest day before summit attempt. Mountain guides were excellent better than expected. Good humor and very professional. We felt self with Vladimir. Food at the hotel was excellent - especially the birthday cake! The Barrels much better than camping! Thanks to Elena and Maria! The tourist from Britain: The overall trip was well organised and followed the itinerary that had been provided. The equipment list covered all the required equipment. The option of a longer trip would be good to allow more time to acclimatise. The few acclimatisation treks were good and offered a good preparation before going to the mount Elbrus. The mountain guides for the tour were excellent. They all had good knowledge for the mountain, and made sure that everybody was well looked after. Vladimir made a special effort to make sure people were able to make the most out of the trip and to make a successful summit Elbrus.Elena also joind the summit trip and provided excellent support for group and made sure people were kept safe. The arrangement of mountain equipment was well organised and efficient. The hotel was a good base for the trip, and provided good meals for breakfast and dinner. The rooms were basic, but had good hot water, and were provided with clear towers and bedding.there was a good amount of food provided whilst at the hotel and on the mountain. On the mount Elbrus Maria made sure we were very well looked after. The mountain hut Barrels was basic as described, and served the purpose as a base whilst on the mountain. It may be better to remove the bed mattresses. The toilets could have some basic clear (e.g. washed out with water every day). 11 / 15

12 The tourist from Spain: I take this to say thank Vladimir and Elena at how well you treated us, you really are a wonderful people we have captured with your kindness and would love to return to Russia not only to try to crown the Elbrus but also to see you and give you a big hug. Please broadcast this sincere thanks to Elena. Finally I leave you with a link to the mountains of Asturias, the region of Spain where we live also very mountainous and of course if one day you're interested in you know where you have two friends. Just a big hug from Spain The group August The group successfully climbed Elbrus. Andrew Shinnick (Ireland): The trip was excellent! I was very satisfied with all aspects of the trip.the guides were extremely friendly and helpful at all times and were always available for questions and advice. I could not ask for better! Excellent! The hotel and the hut were very good and comfortable and had excellent food. There was also lots of food! I was very happy! I was extremely happy with this trip. Thank you Lenalp Tours! 14/08 12 / 15

13 Daithi Galwey (Ireland): Excellent overall. Great value for money. Very efficiently organised and run. A pleasure from start to finish. Guides Igor and Oxana (Novak) were excellent, fantastic throughout. Very helpful at all times and very professional with everything. 5 star. Hotel : excellent; Food : excellent from pick up to drop off. Mountain hut : warm and comfortable. Very happy with everything. Donal Burke (Ireland) : The trip was excellent, staff was extremelly helpful and professional. Great experience + will recommend to others. Guides: very helpful, excellent English, great advice regarding mountain equipment. Very professional, very patient and cooperative. Hotel: the food was excellent + substantial, busic facilities but all that was required, very friendly staff. Barrels were comfortable and warm. Staff extremely helpful+ friendly. Equipment hire was a little difficult but guides were extremely helpful. Thank you very much!!!! 13 / 15

14 The group August They successfully climbed Elbrus. Joe Thornton (Ireland): Dear Anna, I got back from Elbrus on Thursday last and I wanted to thank you and all at LenAlpTours for all your help and support. From the first day I contacted you about the climb you were very patient and helpful in all areas and every question I had was answered quickly. It was a great feeling to get to the summit of Europe's highest mountain and I couldn't have done it without the help of Elena and especially Oxana who did everything possible for me and everyone on the climb. Thank you all very much and I really appreciate your time and effort. Tomonori Watai: Trip: comfortable. Guides : well spoken English. Hotel: much space. Food: enough. Barrels: adequate for high altitude place.services are good. So that the total evaluation is ''excellent". The group June They successfully climbed Elbrus on 23 June. Ana Carolina Chieregati (Brazil): The trip was excellent. 14 / 15

15 The first day was hard but beautiful (Kahiany peak), especially at the top. But I felt pain on the top and the next day I could hardly walk because of my legs. The other days were perfect although the rhythm was too strong sometimes. The day before summit was hard, I didn't rest enough. I didn't reach the point planned m, I only walk till 4400m. I think it could be a little rest before summit day. Summit day was perfect: the time we left the Barrels, the rhythm, the rest points. Our guide Igor Novak was always attentive, helpful and nice. He always taught me how to use the equipment and how to be safe at the mountains. He's one of the best guides I've ever met. He treated us like friends and that made me feel wonderful. Congratulations, Igor! The other guides were very nice too. They helped me on the descent and were Thank you for everything. always helpful and attentive too. 15 / 15