Elbrus 2008

Abstract

Itinerary

Trip description

Mount Elbrus (5642m) is the highest peak in Europe,lying just north of the Caucasian watershed in the Russian provinces of Balkaria and Cherkessia.  It was first climbed in in 1874 by the extremely capable Alpine Club team of Florence Crauford Grove, Horace Walker and Frederick Gardner together with  guides Peter Knubel and Ahiya Sottaiev.  (for more information see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbrus).

The mountain is a dormant volcano and like so many old volcanoes provides a technically easy climb, the main object to success being fitness and the need to acclimatise. Expect a fairly strenuous summit day (typically 8 hours up and 4 hours down) though a strong party in good weather should also be able to include the lower East summit (5621m) on the same day.  For a suitable training regime please contact us directly.

We stay in hotels and mountain huts throughout the trip. A sleeping bag and mat are needed but no camping equipment.

Expedition price

The expedition price includes the following;
Accommodation and transfers included in the itinerary
Hotels in major cities, B&B in shared rooms.
In lodges and huts;  all meals (with a packed lunch)
Group climbing gear and first aid kit.
UIAGM trip leader
local assistant guide (where necessary)
Viisa support, and local documentation and visa invitations.

Not included
International flights to Moscow
taxi from airport to hotel
Holiday Insurance (must include cancellation)
Excess baggage on Min. Vody flight (allowance 20kg)
Medivac Insurance
Visa costs
personal climbing kit and clothing;
Gratuities for hotel and expedition staff
telephone, beverages and laundry

Payment, Cancellation and Refund
To register for this expedition a deposit of Euro 200 before 22 March 2008
The balance of Euro 2,000 should reach us by 10 May 2008. There will be a 50% refund for cancellations before 10 June.  Please insure your holiday against cancellation for medical and/or personal reasons.

Insurance

For this trip you must have medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance. If you purchase them separately we recommend IHI for medical emergencies (http://www.ihi.com/).
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. Travel insurance must provide coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay,

Visas

Foreign travellers to the Russian Federation need visas. This bureaucracy will need to be completed a minimum of two months before the start of the the expedition. This is done by invitation from our Russian agent. For the invitation we will need a copy or scan of the biodata from your current passport and a scan of your passport photograph. We will also need  the address of your local Russian Embassy. Please allow plenty of time for this formality.

Equipment list

We believe that kit must be light and functional. Heavy, unsuitable and excess kit will hinder your ascent of the mountain:

Travel:
passport + photocopy + spare passport photographs
credit cards + cash
copy of insurance certificates

Bivouac:
sleeping bag (good to -10C)
sleeping bag liner
light sleeping mat

Sun protection:
sun hat (cricket style is good)
glacier glasses or dark goggles.
glacier cream and lip salve

Clothing:
balaclava or ski hat
weather proof outer-shell jacket
thin gloves, ski gloves & warm mitts
light duvet jacket
glacier shirt (light, long sleeve shirt)
pile or fleece jacket
silk weight (or similar) long sleeve shirt
weather proof outer-shell pants or sallopettes
pile or fleece pants
silk weight or similar long johns
thin and thick socks
snow gaiters
warm plastic boots

Hard wear:
head torch with fresh spare batteries
light water bottle (local plastic  bottle is good)
60 (min) litre rucksack
ice axe
crampons
harness
2 locking krabs
2 non-locking krabs
1 long sling (120cm)
prussik cord (2 x 6mm dia. 2m long)

First Aid:
personal medical supplies
blister kit
spare glasses/lenses (for the myopic or hyperopic)

Optional Extras:
ski sticks
rock boots/chalk
compass, map and gps
camera
trainers

Team size

The team will be led by UIAGM guide Victor Saunders. Victor has climbed Elbrus 3 times. He will be assisted by a local guide if the team size warrants it. (More than 5 members)

Food

We will feast on local food, but bear in mind that our essential philosophy on mountains is that “Food is fuel”. Please let us know well in advance of any special dietary requirements.

Medical examination

It  is imperative that expedition members are fit and strong and in good health.  Please ensure that you have seen your doctor and provide us with a medical certificate that you are fit for the expedition. We must be informed of any medical conditions that may affect you during the course of the expedition. We will treat the information with full confidentiality.

Safety communications and expedition First Aid

On this expedition we will be carrying a small satellite phone and two way radios. We will also provide a basic expedition first aid kit. You should bring your own personal first aid kit.