Summit Day: June 22, 2017
Background Info:
Mount Elbrus (18,510′ or 5,642m) is the highest point in Russia and in Europe and 10th most prominent peak in the world. When our group of five reached the summit of Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa at 5,895 m or 19,341 ft) in February 2017, we decided to pursue our next objective: Mount Elbrus – the highest point in Europe; and as soon as we got back to NY, we started researching different options. For this climb, we decided to go up via the South Route and booked our trip accordingly with Elbrus Tours, a local guiding service for climbing Mount Elbrus, for only $750 all inclusive! This time around, we ended up with four in the group: Marcia, Vraj, Ya Ching, and I (Rumana). For Marcia, Vraj, and I, this was our second successful ascent of a Seven Summits peak, a list of the highest in each continent.
Pre-Climb:
June 16 – 17, 2017:
We first flew into Moscow. I was there for an overnight to see the city a little bit before my flight to Mineralnye Vody the next morning. We were picked up by our guide Ekaterina from Mineralnye Vody airport and were on our way to a four-hour scenic ride through some mountain and country roads until reaching our hotel in the small village of Terskol. Besides us four from NY and NJ, there were nine Europeans and one other American from TX in our group of 14 total.
Horses roaming around alongside the road, seen from our van on our way to the hotel
Marcia and I shared a room together. Our lead guide Ekaterina came to our room to check our gear and recommended us of any gear that we would need to rent. Marcia and I both had single layered, leather mountaineering boots (Nepal Evo by La Sportiva). Since mid-June was still a bit early in the season and it was going to be cold on the mountain during our trip, Ekaterina recommended us to rent double boots. That was the only item me and Marcia had to rent; we had everything else that were needed for the climb.
Our gear laid out on our beds for our guide to come and check
After we settled in, our guide took us to a lovely restaurant in the village for dinner. The food was simply amazing!
Pre-climb dinner – click thumbnail to enlarge
Sunday June 18, 2017 (First Acclimatization Hike):
Next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we went to our first acclimatization hike to the top of Cheget Observatory at Terskol Peak at 10,170′. The hike involved ~3,000′ of elevation gain in 5 miles in one way. The trail-head started around 7,100′ next to a newly built Mosque (Masjid). We were treated with some excellent views and beautiful wildflowers along the way. After about 3.5 miles of hiking, we came to a beautiful waterfall called Azau that is about 330 feet tall. We took our lunch break and a bunch of pictures there. After lunch, we continued to the top. Towards the top, we encountered some snow that was still there even though winter ended a while ago. After spending some time at the top to acclimatize, we hiked back down. Along the way I took a few pictures.
The new Masjid (Mosque) across the street from the trail-head
The new Masjid (Mosque) across the street from the trail-head
View of the town as we were gaining elevation – click thumbnail to enlarge
At the Azau waterfall – click thumbnail to enlarge
On the summit of Terskol Peak – click thumbnail to enlarge
Once back in town, we picked up our rental gears, as well as drinking water for the duration of the climb that we would bring up to the mountain hut the next morning. We once again had an amazing dinner at a local restaurant that night.
The Climb:
Monday June 19, 2017 (Move to the Mountain Hut and Second Acclimatization Hike):
This was the day we moved to the mountain hut at 3,800 m or 12,467′. We took one of those ski lifts to get up there. The lift was leaving at 8:30 AM. The morning had a horrible weather with pouring rain and high wind in the lower elevation and heavy snow and wind at the higher elevation on the mountain. The ski lift we took literally never comes to a complete stop, it only slows down as it drops off and picks ppl up. Besides our personal equipment and gear, we were also bringing boxes of food and two gallons of water per person and had to make sure everything was loaded and unloaded with each ski lift. There were 3 or 4 lifts we had to take to get the altitude where the mountain hut was located. From there it was a short walk to the hut and we carried all of the food and water plus our personal gear with us to the hut. At the hut, Marcia and I shared a room with 10 bunk beds all by ourselves :). Call us fancy 😉
Inside the lift drenched in rain
Some of the food and gear we were bringing on the lift
Once at the hut, I got myself changed into some dry clothes, then ate lunch with the group. Our guide then took us to our second acclimatization hike despite the bad weather with literally zero visibility, when all I wanted to do was take a nap ;). On the other hand, I was also happy that our guide was not a lazy, inexperienced leader and was comfortable enough to take the group out on the mountain when there was no visibility.
Us during acclimatization hike
Me during acclimatization hike
On this day, we only climbed 1,000′ to get acclimatized as we had already gained almost 5,000′ via the ski lift earlier that day. We spent sometime in that altitude before heading back down. Even though it was only a 1,000′ gain, the climb was nothing but adventurous because of the high wind and no visibility and continuously pouring snow.
We enjoyed a good rest after that and a nice meal at dinner cooked by two nice ladies who were in charge of the kitchen :).
At Group Dinner
Tuesday June 20, 2017 (Third Acclimatization Hike):
After breakfast, we went for our third acclimatization hike up to Pastuckhov rocks at 4,800m or 15,748 ft. I was a bit nervous about crossing the 15,500′ altitude mark as I got sick on Kilimanjaro each time I passed that altitude. But to my surprise, this time around I did not feel any sign of being sick. Though during our hike up, the visibility was still low like the day before, but on the way down, the sky opened up. So, I could not help but to take lots of pictures on the way back to our hut :).
The rest of the day was devoted to resting and enjoying yet another delicious dinner.
Third acclimatization hike – click thumbnail to enlarge
Wednesday June 21, 2017 (Snow Training and Rest Day):
Even though it was a sunny, clear day (perfect for a summit climb), our guide decided to wait till the next day for the summit. So we spent most of the day resting. Around noontime, our guide took us to some snow training that included self arrest and practice using the fixed line that we would be using in one section during our summit climb.
Early dinner, early bedtime at 8 PM, wake up would be at 2 AM.
Snow Training – click thumbnail to enlarge
Some entertainment and gear storage at the hut – click thumbnail to enlarge
Thursday June 22, 2017 (SUMMIT DAY):
Even though I had been sleeping like a baby, on the night before summit, I could not get myself to fall asleep. I stayed up all night with eyes wide open, hence my body was getting zero rest.
Most of us in our group opted to take the snowcat (Ratrak) up to Pastuckhov rock: the altitude we hiked up to two days ago. From that point on, it was another 3,100′ climb to the summit. Despite no sleep, my body was feeling completely fine until the group reached the saddle between East and West peak. Our objective was to climb the higher West peak. From that point on, I was feeling like my lungs were not getting enough oxygen. I was not feeling sick but I had to make frequent short stops to breath and catch up on my oxygen intake. Hence I missed reaching the summit with the main group and got there slightly after them.
Regardless, I forgot all the difficulties I was facing while trying to get to the summit once I reached it. I became the happiest gal in the world at that moment. We took a few pictures at the summit, then started heading back down.
On the way down, my sleepless body started to catch up on lack of rest the night before. We took a break at the saddle and I fell asleep ha ha. Our assistant guide woke me up and we once again started heading back down. But my body was extremely tired and exhausted and could not wait to get back to the hut.
During that time, I said to myself, “never again I am climbing another mountain”, but the reality was that as soon as I got back to NY, I forgot all about that promise and booked my next trip to climb to Rainier ha ha.
Summit Day Pics – click thumbnail to enlarge
Post-Climb:
Friday June 23, 2017:
We packed up after breakfast, and took the ski lift back down the mountain where we had a van waiting for us. We were back at the hotel. We had our lunch at the hotel, and all 14 of us became friends on Facebook using the hotel WiFi. We then went out to a local flea market to collect souvenirs. We were all leaving for our flights early in the morning the next day. That evening we went out to have our final group dinner at a local restaurant. Our lead guide Ekaterina distributed certificates at the end of the dinner and we had one last celebration as a group before departing the next morning.
Heading back via the Ski Lift – click thumbnail to enlarge
Post climb photos – click thumbnail to enlarge
Friday June 23, 2017:
Our guide brought us back to the airport after another 4 hour journey on a van. At the airport, we said our goodbyes to the group. From there, Marcia and I flew to Saint Petersburg to spend a few days there while Ya Ching and Vraj flew back to Moscow to catch their return flight back to NY/NJ.
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