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2011 Dates:
June 19 - July 2;
(14 days- includes travel time from the US; those travelling from Europe can subtract 1-2 days for the total time)
2010 Land Cost:
2010 price will be honored until September 30, 2010: $5,150
This trip is available for non-skiers at the regular Elbrus trip rate
Minimum four participants required (includes sno-cat rides and domestic airfare Moscow to Mineral Vody)
Client to Guide Ratio 4:1
Ski/Snowboard Grade: Intermediate
Climbing Grade:Beginner
Ski/Snowboard Grade: Intermediate
Read the 2003 trip report here
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 If schussing down the wide open slopes of 18,540 foot Mount Elbrus catches your fancy, with an added bonus of learning glacier climbing and improving your backcountry ski techniques along the way, then join us on this ski and snowboard odyssey on Europe's highest peak. With your Mountain Madness guides you will cut up the spring corn on the lower slopes of Elbrus before making a summit push. This will enable the group to acclimatize and review avalanche evaluation techniques and climbing skills needed for the ascent. Then with the assistance of Sno-cats to about 15,000 feet we climb Mount Elbrus and enjoy a descent of more than 6,000 vertical feet.
For skiing and snowboarding the Baksan Valley offers diverse terrain, with steep bowls and vast open snowfields. After acclimatization hikes to the Observatory and on Mt. Cheget, the group will ride lifts up the lower slopes of Elbrus to slightly over 12,000 feet. Here we enjoy the excellent food and hospitality of the Barrel Camp while acclimatizing and polishing our skills for the big descent.
Climbing Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, is an admirable feat. A volcanic massif located north of the Caucasus main ridge, 18,540 foot Mt. Elbrus rises almost 3,000 feet higher than surrounding peaks. The summit offers breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains and the impressive tributary valley systems feeding the raging waters of the Baksan River. Add a descent on skis or snowboards and you have a complete adventure!
Although climbing Mt. Elbrus does not demand technical skills, good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are required to reach the summit. Our group will use a variety of techniques to reach the summit, from a skin ascent to cramponing. Whichever technique you are familiar with our experienced and knowledgeable American and Russian guides are committed to helping each client reach the 18,540 foot summit.
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General Information on Mt. Elbrus
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Included in cost:
• Scheduled hotel nights, based on double or triple occupancy
• Food while on the mountain and hut fees
• Assistance with obtaining visa (fees may apply for special circumstances, short-notice booking, and non-USA citizens)
• Moscow city tour
• Lift fees on Mt. Elbrus
• Scheduled group restaurant meals
• Group climbing and cooking gear
• Airport transfer to hotel
• Domestic flight from Moscow to Mineral Vody
• Mountain Madness guides and staff
Not included in cost:
• Airfare to Moscow and Visas
• Personal equipment
• Domestic excess baggage fees
• Staff/guide gratuities
• Items of a personal nature: phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.
• Airport transfer for the flight home
• Airport taxes
• Medical/evacuation and trip insurance
• Alcoholic beverages
Qualifications: The downhill terrain on Elbrus is not extremely technical. Several short pitches of no more than 40 degrees will be found, but generally slopes average a modest 15-30 degrees. Natural hazards exist, including rocks, crevasses and variable snow conditions; from corn, powder, sastrugi, ice to breakable crust. Due to these hazards, combined with the strenuous nature of skiing at 18,000', we require that the participants in the Elbrus descent be advanced skiers or boarders; preferably with some off- piste experience.
On summit day you will be required to climb nearly 4,000' vertical feet from approximately the 14,500-foot level. In addition to a regular summit pack with all the mountaineering essentials, you will be carrying skis or a snowboard, making this an extremely strenuous endeavor beyond the demands of a typical ascent of the mountain. During the descent you will encounter mixed conditions where the utmost of control will be required to maintain a safe descent.
To prevent serious injury high on the mountain it is critical that the participants be competent riders or skiers in strong physical shape, with more than enough ability to be able to handle the moderately technical challenges and highly variable conditions.
We suggest that you have some previous backpacking experience. Skills will be taught during this trip so mountaineering experience is not required. Climbers are expected to be in excellent physical condition.
Training Program: This trip is physically demanding and we cannot overemphasize the importance of physical conditioning. We suggest you begin your training program at least two months prior to departure. While strength is important, endurance training should be your primary focus. Walking up hills and stair climbing are both excellent ways to condition your lower body. Begin slowly, without the weight of a pack, eventually adding weight as you increase your training pace. Take a long hike (4-6 hours) several times with a weighted pack (40-60 lbs.) up and down hills or on small mountains. (Weight your pack with water containers and pour out the water before your descent to minimize knee stress). Supplement this activity with running, cycling, swimming, racquet sports, basketball, etc. for additional aerobic conditioning. If possible, try to take at least two longer hikes of 6-10 hours with at least 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Several days before your departure, rest and drink plenty of water.
Recommended extensions: St. Petersburg City tour. Please call our office for details about visiting this important cultural center of Russia.
Weather: Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures; from freezing nights, to adverse snow and wind conditions, to bright sunshine intensified by the high altitude. This wide fluctuation in temperature makes it important to bring everything on the equipment list.
Medical Evacuation Insurance: If your insurance policy does not cover international travel and mountaineering expeditions we strongly recommend you consider purchasing this insurance.
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information on the Mountain Madness Trip Application. We urge you to read this information carefully and to call us if you have any questions.
Food: Mountain Madness provides all of the food while climbing and at huts, but bring along your favorite munchies.
Trip Cancellation Insurance: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for: trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency assistance. An insurance brochure is provided with all trip confirmations.
Questions: Call our office at 800-328-5925 or email us. You can also print out and fax the application.
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Itinerary for Mt. Elbrus Ski Descent
Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. Meals provided are listed as b,l, and d at the end of each day. You will be responsible for those meals not listed while in towns and cities. All meals in the mountains will be provided.
Day 1-2: The first day is allocated for those requiring an overnight flight to Moscow.
Day 2: Arrive in Moscow. A Mountain Madness representative will meet you at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel where you will spend the night. D
Day 3: Tour the city of Moscow, including a visit to the Kremlin Cathedral and Armory. Overnight at hotel. Orientation meeting and gear check. B, L, D
Day 4: Transfer to domestic airport for the two hour flight to the city of Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Water) or Nalchik. Continue by bus to a hotel in the village of Cheget in the Baksan Valley, where you spend the next several nights. B, L, D
Day 5: To prepare for our summit attempt of Elbrus, and to enjoy the magnificent Caucasus Range, we take a day hike in the Baskan River Valley. At the end of the day you overnight in the hotel. B, L, D
Day 6: To further prepare for the climb, we do another acclimatization hike on Mt. Cheget, using the ski lift to expedite gaining higher ground. Overnight at hotel. B, L, D
Day 7: Ride cable car up to Kharabashi, which is Balkarian for “where black rock meets glacier” (approx. 12,800 feet). Weather permitting, this will be our first opportunity to use our skis with an acclimatization trip up to the Diesel Hut at about 14,000' and ski back to the Barrels. B, L, D
Day 8: Acclimatization skin/hike to Pastukhov Rocks (approx. 15,420 feet), more skills review, and return for another night at the Barrels after a 3000' ski run to camp.
B, L, D
Day 9: Further review basic mountaineering skills. Active rest day with snow-cat assisted ascent to the Pastukhov rocks for one or two laps of skiing before turning in early to prepare for our summit push. B, L, D
Day 10-11: Two days are scheduled for our summit attempt. We increase our chances for a successful summit climb by riding a snow cat to just below our previous highpoint near the Pastukhov Rocks. If weather allows our group to summit on the first day, we descend the following day and have an extra day in the Baksan Valley. Skiers will use a combination of skins/ski crampons if snow conditions allow a safe ascent. This will be at the guides' discretion and skiers should be prepared to carry ski gear on their packs if necessary. As conditions warm after sunrise, most skiers should be able to ski down at least from the saddle, if not all the way from the summit for 5500' to 6000' of descent! B, L, D
Day 12: Descend to Baksan Valley. Overnight at Hotel. B, L, D
Day 13: Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Fly back to Moscow. Transfer to Hotel. B, L, D
Day 14: Depart for home.
NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route and snow conditions, and other factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, mechanical breakdown of sno-cats or ski area lift operations.
WEATHER: Like all big mountains, the peaks of the Caucasus generate and attract their own weather, making conditions impossible to predict. April through August typically have the best weather, but be prepared for a wide range of temperatures, from freezing nights and snowy, windy conditions, to bright sunshine intensified by high altitude. The wide fluctuation in temperatures makes it important to bring everything on the equipment list.
FOOD: Mountain Madness is renowned for providing gourmet mountain cuisine. All of the meals from the trailhead and back will be provided, including pastas, rice, soups, dehydrated and fresh foods. Bring along your favorite snack foods, energy bars and after dinner treats. Trip members will help prepare meals and clean up in order to become comfortable with expedition cooking.
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