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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 scheduled restaurant meals
· Group climbing and cooking gear
· Airport transfers at the start of the trip
· Domestic flight from Moscow to Mineral Vody
Not Included in Cost:
· Airfare & excess baggage fees
· Personal equipment
· Staff/guide gratuities
· Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.
· Alcoholic beverages
· Airport taxes
· Medical/evacuation and trip insurance
· Hotels and meals while in transit Moscow-Amsterdam-Kilimanjaro
Qualifications: 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 (up to 40 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 Extension: Africa safari. Call for details.
Food: Mountain Madness provides all of the scheduled in-town meals and 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.
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ITINERARY
Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. All meals in the mountains will be provided. August 9: Travel
The first day is allocated for those requiring an overnight flight to Moscow.
August 10: Arrive in Moscow
Arrive in Moscow where you will be greeted at the airport. You will be transferred to the Hotel Ukraina where we will spend the night.
August 11: Moscow
We will tour the city of Moscow, including a visit to the Kremlin Cathedral and Armory. Overnight at Hotel Ukraina.
August 12: Village of Terskol
Transfer to domestic airport for the two-hour flight to the city of Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Water) or Nalchik. Continue by bus to Baksan Valley where we stay in the Hotel Volfram for several nights.
August 13: Acclimatization
To prepare us for our summit attempt of Elbrus and to enjoy the magnificent Caucasus Range, we hike up the Adylsu Valley, a tributary of the Baskan River Valley or the observatory located on the flanks of Elbrus. Overnight at the Hotel Volfram.
August 14: Skills
To further prepare us for the climb, we ride the cablecar and walk higher up to snow slopes where we practice crampon and other snow climbing skills. Overnight at Hotel Volfram.
August 15: Barrels
Ride the cable car up to Kharabashi, which is Balkarian for “where black rock meets glacier” (approx. 12,800 feet). Here we settle into the comfortable barrel shelters. Enjoy a possible hike in the afternoon.
August 16: Acclimatization
Today we will take a hike to Pastukhov Rocks (approx. 15,420 feet) and return for another night at the Barrels.
August 17: Skills Review
Today we further review basic mountaineering skills. The afternoon will be used for rest and preparing for our climb.
August 18-19: Summit Attempts
Two days are scheduled to make our summit attempt. We will increase our chances for a successful summit climb by riding a snowcat to just below our previous highpoint near the Pastukhov Rocks. If weather allows our group to summit on the first day we will descend the following day and have an extra day in the Baksan Valley.
August 20: Descend to Baksan Valley
Spend the night at the Hotel Volfram.
August 21: Drive to Mineral Vody Fly to Moscow, then fly to Amsterdam. Overnight in Amsterdam.
August 22: Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport
Overnight in the Kia Lodge.
August 23: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp - (9,700') 5 hours
The majority of the first day’s hike is through the Montaine Forrest. Lush vegetation with very old trees and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this as an area that gets reliable rain year round. The forest abounds with wildlife; small bushbuck & duikers, monkeys, and a rich and varied bird life. The first three hours or so is on gently rising land before steepening for the last two hours. The camp for the night is in a small clearing on the trail.
August 24: Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp - (13,000') 4 hours
Shortly after starting the hike the forest gradually gives away to the giant heath. The trail has been following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the heath land the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming knife edge with steep drops on each side. As the height of the heath reduces there are stunning views of both Kilimanjaro’s southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50 miles away. The wildlife changes with the vegetation; jackals may be heard barking and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.
August 25: Barranco Camp to Arrow Glacier - (15,800') 4 hours
The day starts in the unique Barranco valley with its lush vegetation and giant senisios. As the valley steepens we strike off up a scree ramp on the most direct route to Arrow Glacier. The vegetation is left behind as we move through old weather rock and alongside old lava runs. A final boulder slope brings us to the Arrow Glacier Campsite.
August 26: Day Hike – Arrow Glacier - (15,800') 3 hours
This day is a chance to acclimatize and rest before the push to the summit. During the day we will take a hike up the Western Breach Route to familiarize ourselves with it and if necessary kick steps in the snow. This hike will also help with our acclimatization.
August 27: Arrow Glacier to Summit, Descent to Mweka Camp - (10,500') 9-12 hours
Leaving at midnight we will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route, about six hours to the crater rim. Moving around the massive Furtwrangler Glacier as the skies lighten we will see the shape of Mt. Meru to the west. Having crossed the crater plateau we begin the final 800 ft climb to the summit (19,340ft) hopefully arriving shortly after dawn. Having enjoyed the view we begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to Mweka Camp for the night.
August 28: Arusha
It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to make the 4,500-foot descent to the gate and pick-up. Here we will have our lunch and say goodbye to our mountain staff. We will return to Kia lodge for a shower, dinner and then will transfer to the airport for flights home. Fly home from Arusha, or if continuing on Safari overnight at the Kia lodge.
August 29: Arrive Home or Leave for Tarangire Safari
For Tarangire Safari members: After breakfast we leave for Tarangire. Afternoon game drive, overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge.
August 30: Game Viewing
Game drive in the park. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge.
August 31: Morning Game Viewing
Game drive in the morning, make your way back to Arusha. Day room, dinner, transfer to airport for flight home.
September 1: Arrive Home
NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? Please call our office if you do not already have an application, or you can download it off our website. We require an application and a $500 deposit for international trips. Please mail your application or fax it to 206-937-1772 to reserve your place on the trip.
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