Elbrus climb with traverse from south to north, 8 days

Moscow - Mineralny Vody - Terskol - Elbrus (5642 m, 5621m) - Kislovodsk - Mineralny Vody - Moscow

7 Summits Club is the first adventure company starting to run a totally new Elbrus climb, which includes crossing the Elbrus Col (5300m) from the southern side to northern one. It means you go up from the bustling, noisy and more or less civilized Baksan Valley and descend into the calm and quiet wilderness of the northern foothills. From there you will go for several hours in a 4WD vehicle across the high and bare northern pastures offering the superb views of the ranges of West and Central Caucasus.

If asked about the highest and most dramatic mountains of Europe nine out of ten Europeans will answer “the Alps”. Yet, the grandest and by far the highest mountain chain of Europe (seven summits over 5000m plus Mt.Elbrus with its 5642m) is the Caucasus stretching between the Black and Caspian seas in the continent’s south-eastern corner.
 And undoubtedly, Mt. Elbrus, this white double-headed dormant volcano, is the highest, most beautiful and most alluring mountain in Russia. 
Last but not least: it will take you just 7-8 hours to get from Moscow to this Seven Summits peak…  
The fact that Elbrus is the highest point in Europe suffices for many to go and climb it. Yet, this obvious attraction is not the main one, for Elbrus belongs to a handful of mountains with a very special and irresistible kind of beauty which lies in their shape and setting. Most of them are volcanoes, such as Fujiyama, Ararat and Kilimanjaro, and like all these, this mountain is a world apart. It stands 11km north from the Main Range and exceeds its neighbors in height by 1200-2000m. The views from both the summits are breathtaking: to north it is a rolling carpet of 
pastures veiled by the blue haze of distance and on all the other sides the sea of snowy peaks. It is said that through the clear air of autumn you can see both the Black and Caspian seas.

1. All land group transfers according to the program
2. Accommodation in a hotel on the double room basis – 4 nights
3. Accommodation in huts on Elbrus – 4 nights
4. Meals: full board from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8. Only breakfast and dinner when in hotel in Baksan valley (in case of premature descent from Elbrus). No meals when in Kislovodsk.
5. One English speaking guide and extra guides for the day of ascent of Elbrus (3-4 clients to one guide), cook at huts
6. Local registration, border zone permit
7. Cheget and Elbrus cable-ways tickets
8. Luggage storage when trekking or climbing
9. Visa support
10. Rope for climbing

1. Moscow service
2. Return air fare to Mineralny Vody
3. Any changes in the program demanding additional expenses
4. Single accommodation supplement
5. Personal equipment rentals (only on a special demand made in advance)
6. Personal guides or porters
7. Snow Cat to 4600m on the day of ascent
8. National Park fees

Concerning local mentality and attitudes, the Caucasus is quite different from a lot of poor countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In general, its people are not at all prosperous, but you will not see beggars here and no local approaching you in the street will be an importunate beggar. So, do not make the mistake of treating him as that, with scornful and impatient words or gestures!