Mt. Elbrus
Report.
Sunday.
Flight from Manchester to Zurich, then to Moscow. Time 1 hrs ahead at Zurich, plus 2 hrs ahead at Moscow. Meet by Pilgrim Tour Rep, who then took me to the Moscow hotel Rossia which took app hour travelling. The hotel had 2,700 rooms.The Western side of the hotel faced the Kremlin / Red Square which was app 100 mtrs away.My room on the 8 floor which was on the Eastern side faced the Moskva River Embankment. It took me app 10 mins to walk round the landing to find my room. At the time of my arrival there was a music / pop festival going on in Red Square with large crowd's there The whole of the Red Square was lined with police and army recruit's every 5 mtrs. You were alowed to enter the Square to get near to the stage if you wanted to and it was free. A beer was 80RU. ( £1. 80p ) A bag of Crisps 57 RU. ( £1. 30p ) .
Monday.
Breakfast was a buffy style with different types of food. Had to be down in the Lobby at 10.0a.m. to meet the driver who was to take us to theAirport for our internal flight to Mineralnye Vody. I meet a Canadian called Byron who was on the same trip.the journey took app 1 hrs back to the Domodeddvo Airport. The driver gave us our flight tickets and we made our way to the check in. I knew that my luggage was slightly over weight 24 Kgs, 4 kgs over, which I had to paid 200 RU. ( £5. ). Byron luggage weighed 34 kgs 14 kgs over. They want him to paid for the whole 34 kgs stating that anything over 30 kgs has to be paid in full.Byron argued that it was not fair, and if he could take out 4 kgs and put it in his hand luggage , then he would paid for the extra 10 kgs. They agreed and he paid 500 RU. ( £10. ) The flight was by Siberia Airlines which took app 2 hrs. When we landed at Mineralnye Vody we try to take some photo's of the plane, but some plain cloths personal told us to stop .Every body was taken into a old concrete building where we waited for about 3/4 of a hrs for our luggage to be brought in to the next room. Here we meet our Guide called Oksana plus another client a Norwegian called Atle.When our luggage arrived, we had to go into the next room, pick up our own luggage and as we went through the door they check our luggage with the luggage tagged receipts.It was then into a mini bus to start a 3.1/2 hrs journey to the hotel in the Azau valley 2335m ( 7,588ft ) On the way we pass alsorts of police road blocks, police road checks and police speed guns, most of the country side is very flat, Some times you see people selling buckets of apples, pears, and jars of honey. Horse and cart looks like the normal way of transport as we got farther into the country side.We got there app 7 p.m. the weather was misty in the valley, we were given a 3 bedroom which was O.K.The evening meal was a few minute later which was a plate of salad, Soup, the main meal was 2 potatoes plus meat , but no veg, no sweat.
Tuesday.
We woke up to a sunny morning , Breakfast of 2 eggs, 2 tomato, bread. We drove down to Cheget to start our first acclimatization ascent. The Ski-lifts were not working, so we had to hike all the way-up Cheget which is app 3600m ( 11,800ft ) it was a zigzag path like all mountain paths are. The snow line came in at app 2700m ( 8,775ft ) it took app 4 hours to the top, with fantasy views of the Caucus mountain range. It was sunny and clear all day.When we got back down to the village, we had lunch at one of the Restaurant/cafes. Chicken / salad,, very nice. My right foot was acking it had been rubbing inside my boot. When I got back to the hotel, took off my boots, I had take the skin of the side of the ball of my foot, and this was on my first day.Evening meal was Salad, Soup, and Pork-Fillet with 2 potatoes. A 1.1/2 lts of water was 25RU ( 56p ) CO-Cola the same. Bought a 5 lts of water for 40 RU ( 90p ) Having trouble sleeping, 3 hours before I got to sleep.
Wednesday
Again a sunny morning, Today we are going up as far as the Diesel Hut. So its 2 cable car lifts, then a chairlift to the Barrels 3900m ( 12,797ft ) We are on the snowy ground now as we walk up the Diesel Hut which is at 4100m ( 13,325ft ). stay there for app 1/2 hrs. Then its back down for lunch at 3.30 p.m. Chips/Lamb stack/salad. Back at the hotel we get everything ready for our stay at the barrels next day. Evening meal of Salad/ Soup, 2 potatoes/ 2 meatballs. Then a early night at 8.30.p.m. for our early call at 5.45a.m.the next day.
Thursday
Breakfast at 6.0a.m. some sort of egg coated toast, Down at the cable car Station at 6.45a.m. There was some concern about the Chair-Lift working, as the person did not want to get up that early to operator it, no amount of money could persuade him. How ever it was working when we got up there.The 3 of us had barrel No. 4 there were 6 beds, plus lighting and a heater. Next to the barrels was a big type of Porto Cabin which was the Dinning room and we had our own cook called Verie for the next 3 days,We had breakfast again at 9 a.m. which was some sort of chicken and mash-pototoes which I did not fancy. After our meal we made our way up to the Pastuckhov Rocks. My breathing was getting very hard it took me app 3 hrs to reach the Rocks 4700m ( 15,275ft ) there were 2 tents pitch there, I think that they are there in case of emergency ( bivi ) We stay there for app 15 mins, then it was back down for lunch. The other two guys Byron and Atle were both faster than me , so they were always in front of me. Lunch at 2p.m. was soup again , I wasn't feeling very well, so went to lay down for a few hours, the weather was still sunny,but when I got up it was starting to snow with a bit of mist around. The 7p.m.meal was Potatoes Soup, Some sort of Chicken, Salad, and bits of Fruit, there was always plenty of food on the table slides of oranges, apples, lemon, and toffees. Different flavored Tea-bags. After the meal the weather had cleared up, I was feeling a lot better.
Friday
Its a clear sunny morning again, breakfast of Pancakes, Porridge, Ham / eggs, There a few more English guys inside, Two of the guys had failed to get to the top the previous day, had only got as far as the Col as one of them got very sick so the other one had to take him down. So they were going to have another go on Saturday with us plus there was a Japanese girl on the same Schedule with her guide Byron and Atle were having a rest day, I and Oxsana decide to take a short hike up to the Diesel Hut, it only took app 1 hrs. We sat around for app 1/2 hrs as Oxsana was talking to a old guy who does odd-jobs around the place. 40 mins to get back down, it start to overcast around lunch time 2p.m. Chicken fillet with salad and some sort of pasta filled with veg. toffee's / biscuits. Evening meal of Soup, Pasta with Steak. the 2 other English guys joined us as they were moving into the barrels. Ready for the early morning start at 4a.m.
Saturday. Ascent day
So its up at 2.30 a.m. for breakfast at 3 a.m.After breakfast we all got ready Thermals Vest, Micro-fleece, Duva-jacket, Windproof Jacket over that. Flecce Trouser, Windproof Over-trouser.Harness on, Winter Boots with Crampons on, Head-torch Ice-Axe and Walking Poles.We are going to take the Snow-Cat up as far as the Rocks which will save us app 3 hrs We all have to paid an extra 40 Dollars. there's the 3 of us with our guide, the 2 other guys with their guide and the Japanese girl with her guide.This is my account of the ascent of Mt. Elbrus as far as I can remember; Byron had written a statement taking all responsibility off Pilgram Tours as he want to do his own hike because he was quicker than the 2 of us, This left Oxsana our guide with Atle and me to look after, As we got off the snow-cat I was to stay behind Oxsana all the way Atle was behind me and we all started of at a nice easy pace short steps up the slope which was app' 30 -35 degrees. As this was in the dark we did not know how far we were moving, but we saw the sun rise which was app at 6.45 a.m. Oxsana got my camera out and took a few shots of me and Atle who was still with me. My right hand was starting to get cold as all I was doing was holding my walking poles, as we were still climbing up and started to contour up towards the Col, Atle pulled away in front I had my head down and still plodding on. As I got into the Col I saw Byron was coming down pass me, he had already been to the top and was on his way down. I was a still slow Oxsana tolded me to take off my rucksack and leave it by this big bolder as we had to come back this way again, As I took it off, the circulation came back to my right hand Took of the head torch and put on the gooles as the wind was getting up now blowing strong through the Col with snow swirling round making it -14 degrees with a wind chill of -26 degrees. I could see the East Peak on my right whenever I turned my head round. I remember Oxsana rubbing my nose saying that it was all white, thinking that i might have frostbite. I still had nothing to eat or drink yet and was still plodding on but at a very slow pace, we eventually came to the end of the col and started to climb the gradual slope of the West Peak it was like a sloping plateau. The top peak was at the far end of the plateau and I could see the 2 English guys and Atle on top of this small knoll. As I got near the 2 guys were coming off, I was staggering by now, so Oxsana and Atle were behind me pushing me up the last 10 mtrs to the top. I got on top and just flopped down next to the cairn / war-monument which was bolted to the rock and some flags fasten to some old ski. I was complete exhausted and knacked. Again Oxsana took my camera out of my pocket and took some pictures of me . it had take app 6hrs. 45 mins to get to the top I only had app 5 - 10 mins rest before we had to start back down by now the mist was coming in and it started to become a white- out. I was still exhausted and moving very slowly Oxsana had been up and down this Peak so many time, that she knew her way in the mist, as we made our way back round to the Col I picked up my rucksack, A bit further along I saw the Japanese girl Yumiko roped up with her guide going back down thinking that they were running out of time, thats why they turn round. By now Atle was making up ground and moving ahead of me Oxsana was getting a bit worried as she was trying to look after the both of us, so she told Atle to wait at the Pastukhov Rocks for us. I was still moving slowly and was slipping and falling over but Oxsana was right there behind me each time She keep telling me to hurry up to try and catch Atle but I could not move any faster, Oxsana was still concern about Able , that she phone the other guide further down the mountain to see if they had see Atle on the way down, My mouth was getting dry now so I would stop and try and drink the froze water from my bottle, bits of ice would come through into my mouth.As we got further down the mist was starting to clear up. At one point I wanted a crap so I just had to get on with it, I was frankly trying to get my harnness off undo my overtrouser before I crap myself. Ever now and again I was stopping to get a drink. As we reach the Paastukhov Rocks Atle was not there and Oxsana was now worry about him, so I told her to go ahead as I could follow the snow-cat track back down to the barrels. Atle got cold waiting for us that he carry on down to the Barrels and got a message back up to Oxasna to tell her he was O.K. I at the mean time was moving slower but at least it was clear , I took off my mitts but was still very warm as I still had my duvet jacket on. As I got near to the Barrels it started to snow and there was thunder in the air, but I couldn't be bother I eventuate got back at 3.30 p.m. 11 1/2 hours in total. Byron had already got his kit together and got the cable car down to the valley. So there was just me and Atle , I just floped on the bed totally exhausted and thats where I stayed untill next morning.
Sunday.
Sunday morning I felt alot better, only Pancake for breakfast as stomach was felling a bit off. We are going down to the valley after breakfast back to the hotel. The weather has started to change its cold, misty, and starting to snow. As we rode down on the Chair-lifts it was Hailing like mad, they were hurting like hell as they hit your face. At the cable-car station it was crowed with weekend visitor so we had to wait a while. Back at the Valley hotel after booking in with a double room we meet Byron and went for lunch which was chips, and Lamb Kebabs, salad. In the evening we all went to a Restaurant for our celebration meal Oxsana presented us with our Certificate plus a free T-shirt, there were plenty of Vodka and Brandy to drink but I think that I am the only one who did not get drunk as I don't like spirits. We left at app' midnight as they wanted to get ridd of us. so it was back to the hotel to carry on with the celebrations, we joined the local as they were doing a karaoke. I left them to it as I went to bed at 1.30a.m.
Monday.
Oxsana was to pick up another group this morning, so another guide was to look after us. Byron had found a early flight so he had already gone to the Airport. I at the mean time had stayed in bed all day as I was not felling to well. and miss all my meals.
Tuesday.
Felt a bit better this morning so got up and had a little bit of breakfast, we were leaving at 10. 30.a.m for our return journey home. Just Atle and me in the Min-Bus On the way back we pass a herd of Cows and Horses which took a while to pass, plus we were stop twice by police checks but only the driver was checked. At the Airport I got ripped off at the weigh in I knew that my luggage was only 2 kgs over , but they weighed my hand - luggage as well and charged me for it. 450 RU ( £10. ) App' 2 hrs flight back to Moscow, as my flight was very early on Wednesday morning I dicided to stay at the Airport overnight to save time going to the hotel and getting back here plus the cost of a taxi. Moscow to Zurich then a 2 hour wait, then on to Manchester. Got home at app' 3.30.p.m.
I can highly recommend Pilgrim Tours, they are a well organized English speaking Russia Company.
www.pilgrim-tours.com
www.elbrus.org
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