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Climbing Mt Elbrus from the West side

Climbing Mt Elbrus from the West side
Climbing Mt Elbrus from the West side
Climbing Mt Elbrus from the West side
Climbing Mt Elbrus from the West side

Ivan, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, takes you on a 12-day climbing trip to Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus, from the West Side, in complete autonomy.

Private

Caucasus

12 Days

May - Sep

Fit

Intermediate


Description

Join me for this 12-day adventure in Mount Elbrus (5,642 m). The route from the West side will require us to climb by our own means, and that is without lift, snow cat, hotel and shelter.

We are going to be alone in the mountain! Nevertheless, I can assure you'll see an entire different side of Elbrus. Rock walls, including the famous rock walls of Kyukyurtlyu,. and stunning ice formations will be part of the reward..

After the descent, we will have the chance to visit Djily-Suu, a small resort which has mineral water springs. We will enjoy warm baths and natural mineral water to drink.

The climbing route goes mainly through the glacier and moraine. We will climb a snow-ice slope to a rock ground on 4,400 m. If the weather is good, you'll enjoy this place. From there, an inclined slope leads to the summit.

The two-headed ice giant crowns the panorama of the Central Caucasus. It is by at least 1,000 m higher than all its neighbors. A volcano crater, filled now with ice and snow, forms the summit plateaux with a diameter of 150-200 m. All the massif is covered by a gigantic ice cap.

Climbing Mount Elbrus through the West Side route is technically challenging. In fact, it is more difficult than going through the North and South parts of the mountain. Because of this, it's important that you have a technical preparation.

This means:

  • Being able to walk with crampons in steep slopes,

  • Traversing the glacier using crevasses,

  • Spending nights in tents in altitude.

  • Clients must also have previous experience in altitude ascent and be able to carry heavy weight.

In case we cannot do the traverse from the West to South part (due to bad weather or any another reason), we'll descend by the ascent route.

For further details, you can find a day-by-day itinerary below this description.

If you want to be a part of this wonderful adventure, please get in touch with me. It will be a pleasure to let you discover my region and bring you on top of this giant mountain!

I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available, one of my colleagues will guide you.

I also have some winter programs around Mount Elbrus, like heliski and ski touring.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Lift tickets

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

The price for an additional guide is 400 Euros per guide.


Itinerary

Day 1: Airport - Pyatigorsk

Arrival to Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Waters) airport. 1-hour transfer to Pyatigorsk city.

Accommodation in a hotel. Briefing and check of the equipment.

Day 2: Djilisu base camp (2,500 m)

5-6 hours transfer to Pyatigorsk – Cherkessk – Karachaevsk – Uchkulan – Churzuk.

Setting tents in Djilisu base camp (2,500 m) in the Ullu-Churzuk Valley. Overnight in tents.

Day 3: Acclimatization day - Base camp

Acclimatization ascent to Camp 1 (3,600 m) on the moraine of Bityuk- Tyube glacier. Return to BC, 4 h up, 2 h down.

Day 4: Base camp - Camp 1

Ascent to Camp 1. Setting tents. Overnight there.

Day 5: Acclimatization day - Camp 1

Acclimatization day. Training in fix-rope. Return to Camp 1.

Day 6: Camp 1 - Camp 2

Ascent to Camp 2 (4,200 m). Going 400 m on moraine and then snow-ice slope (3 ropes). Night in the Camp 2.

Day 7: Camp 2- Camp 3

Ascent to Camp 3 (4,600 m). Up on snow-ice slope, 8 ropes, (2 ropes about 70 º), then traverse to the Western plateau. Night in Camp 3.

Day 8: Summit day!

Ascent of Elbrus West (5,642 m) 5-6 h. Descent to the Barrels Refuge (3780 m) 3-4 h. Night in the Barrels Refuge.

Day 9: Extra day

Reserved day in case of bad weather.

Day 10: Terskol village

Descent in cable-lift to Terskol village. Night in the hotel.

Day 11: Pyatigorsk city

Return to Pyatigorsk city. Stay in the hotel.

Day 12: End of the trip

Transfer to the Mineralnye Vody airport. Flight home.

 

About the guide

Guide profile image

Ivan

4.80

(26)

Mountain Guide

I'm an IFMGA-certified guide and have been guiding for the past 15 years.

I got the chance to do beautiful ascents like the Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Mont Cook, McKinley, 7000m Peaks in ex-USSR, technical climbing In the Caucasus, new climbing routes in the USA, ski-touring in Alps, Russia etc.

I'm an expert in the Elbrus region. I know every corner of it and will be happy to guide you to the summit, at 5.642m high, skiing or walking.
Please get in touch with me and let's leave together for a wonderful adventure in the incredible Caucasus mountain range!

I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available, one of my colleagues will guide you!

My favorite saying: "We will either find a way, or make one".

Languages

Russian | English

Certificates

KMGA | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Ivan

Maximilian

5.00

This was my second trip together with Ivan Moshnikov. It's safe to say that everbody in our group absolutely loved it. We had a great time in Russia and it was an absolut blast. Even though we were not able to experience "true Mamay snorking powder" we still skied perfect snow for 7 days in a row. I threw my mobile in a corner in the first day and did not pick it up until 8 wonderfull days filled with skiing, amazing food, going to sauna and enyoing wonderfull company. However, if you a looking for a super lonely place, Mamay is probably not the right choice. The valley gets visited frequently by locals and other tourists. Still, there is enough place for everybody I think. 10/10 I will definitly come again. Many thanks to Yulia, Roma and Stepan!

Arkadijs

3.00

No info from travel agent essential information about imigration cards, That mens no info that taht cards important ( No Info dont loose them). About transfer from airport was very good. Food excelent. No additional guide for ascenting Elbruss. I had different habit for ascenting. The Guide doesnt like. TIn the Summit ascenting he said that i should keep same style climbing as them. And put all responsibility on me if i wpould refuse contnues ascent to summit. So i this result bad sleep. And did not feel well to make summit ascent. I refuses to go. So that day i am ski touring myself due to arriving Caucasus. Rest was ok. Please return 250 euros . So incomplete mission

James

5.00

We went to Mt Elbrus ski touring in May and did not summit due to bad weather. If you want to be sure to summit I would suggest you book about 8 days as it takes at least 4 days to get altitude acclimatised to the point you can make an attempt ) and it seems the bad weather systems last about 3 days.... groups submitted the two days prior to us but no one summited for the next three due to 80 kmh winds. In regard to CetNeva, I had some trouble with communications and replies (partly caused at my end) but once that was sorted things went well. Lisa runs the admin side and is good. We did not have Ivan as a guide we had Roman - but Roman was over qualified for us but patient and pleasant despite our lack of skills and never being ready on time.

3.00

The guide was actually not Ivan Mishnikov but Denis who was a Junior guide with CetNeva. Overall the guide company is really good. Cook and the barrels where I stayed were excellent. Lisa, manager of CetNeva, were attentive and always present to help out. Guide was excellent in skills, just a little shy. Would recommend 100%. Thanks!

5.00

I had the pleasure of having Ivan as a guide on Elbrus this year and he is first class. I would highly recommend using him on any mountain


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