The Season Ends on a High Note: Elbrus 2008

Every year in May, Mountain Tracks heads east to Russia and Mount Elbrus the highest mountain in Europe. This Advanced ski tour is a cultural feast and an exciting mountain adventure. Elbrus is one of the worlds ‘7 Summits’.

Mountain Tracks has an enviable success record on Elbrus, and this year was no exception.

The trip of seven members (+Mountain Tracks guide) assembled at the impressive new Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Without delays we boarded a half empty plane and arrived to spend a pleasant evening in Moscow. A Pizza meal was followed by a round of Vodkas at the newly refurbished hotel.

The next day we travel by plane and road to the Ula-Tou area in the Caususes. Here we spent 3 days acclimatising and ski touring. The weather was cold and mixed. One moment the sun was blazing on the snow, the next moment we were wrapping up against heavy snow falls. Also a great range of snow conditions were experienced: Hard pack, crust, spring snow and powder. Each day was 6-7 hours and 1000-1200m of up-hill. We were treated to fine hospitality at the mountain lodge and food which would match the very best from the Alps.

Base camp for Elbrus is called ‘The Barrels’. Thankfully there is not an oil-drum in sight. The accommodation is in large circular cabins, which are very effective in strong winds. The Elbrus region had been raked by wind and snow before we arrived, and very few people had succeeded on the mountain in 2008. In fact at the Barrels the snow depth was 3 meters!

We had two summit days in the itinerary, so a good dose of luck with the weather was necessary for success. At 4am we were disappointed to wake up to strong winds and snow fall, so a frustrating day was spent in the camp. However the next day was glorious, we had been given a chance to summit.

The team moved well, and certainly benefit from the extra day of acclimatisation the previous day had given. The early morning views were nothing short of world-class, the Caucusses are a magnificent range of mountains, worthy of more attention from climbers and skiers.

At 5000m most of the party left their skies, preferring to continue on foot ( with crampons). Although it was possible to ski right to the top, the group chose to go ‘light weight’ for the final section to ensure success.

The effects of altitude, mainly dealing with the thin air, really kick in above 5000m and all members of the group found the last 500m slow an tiring. However the reward, to stand on the highest mountain in Europe is certainly worth the preparation and effort.

Thanks to the ‘team’ for the enthusiasm and effort.

Also to our excellent Russian guide, Igor.

For details on our 2009 trip click on http://www.mountaintracks.co.uk/winter/skitouring/elbrus