Mount Elbrus

All of our Mount Elbrus expeditions are led by one of our American guides, or by our experienced and friendly Russian guide, Roman Demenko.

Mount Elbrus is a unique Seven Summits climb because we are able to use a series of chairlifts and snow cats to move to our high camp on the mountain. That means we do not have to carry heavy, overnight backpacks. On acclimatization hikes and summit day, you will carry your personal climbing equipment, warm clothes, food and water in a pack weighing 20 to 25 pounds.

The regular Southside Route on Mount Elbrus is a moderate glacier climb at relatively high altitude. We recommend that all climbers practice basic crampon, ice axe, and glacier travel techniques before attempting Elbrus. Our 3-day and 5-day mountaineering courses on Mount Baker offer excellent preparation. Since our ascent of Elbrus is assisted by snow cats and chairlifts, this is an excellent trip for climbers who are gaining their first high-altitude climbing experience.

Most cell phone providers work in Russia. Check your provider for overseas rates before you leave, or consider purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival in Russia. Wifi service is available at our hotel accommodations.

The snowcat on summit day is not included in the price of the trip. Snowcat fares range from $250 to $400 USD per person, depending on group size and season.

Though the Southside Route on Mount Elbrus is non-technical, it involves high-altitude mountaineering above 18,000 feet. Climbers will benefit from prior high-altitude experience. Climbers should have a solid grasp of basic crampon and ice axe skills, plus good strength, endurance, and aerobic conditioning. Mountain Gurus offers two different programs to better serve our climbers’ varying schedules and experience levels.

Both itineraries climb the less difficult Southside Route, allowing us to use a series of chairlifts and snowcats to gain elevation on the mountain. The Southside Route is unique among Seven Summits climbs because we spend every night in a hotel in Azau or in a high mountain hut while we acclimatize and progress up the mountain. Our comfortable accommodations afford us valuable opportunities to rest and recover between days on the mountain. During acclimatization climbs, your guides will lead refresher courses on fundamental mountaineering skills.

As with any of the world’s major peaks, there are many guide services to choose from, but whether you reach the summit can depend largely on the expertise of your guide. Our guide team has many decades of experience in the mountains, including numerous summits of Mount Elbrus. We routinely have 100% success rates.

Our adventure begins in Moscow, Russia’s storied capital city, where we visit landmarks such as the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral and sample the food and culture of this hub of Eastern Europe. We then embark into the Russian countryside. We fly south to the spa town of Mineralnye Vody, and then travel by van into the heart of the Caucasus Mountains on the Russian–Georgian border. The drive is comfortable and the scenery unrivaled as we ascend through alpine meadows and forests to the village of Azau at the head of the Baksan Valley. Azau is the last and highest settlement in the area.

Over the next few days, we make acclimatization hikes on Mount Cheget and the lower slopes of Mount Elbrus. We use a series of gondolas and chairlifts to spend one night in a high mountain hut at 12,500 feet. On summit day, a snowcat carries us to 16,000 feet. From there we continue on foot, traversing glaciers across the “Roof of Europe.”

Once we have summited, we offer an optional trip extension to St. Petersburg. Formerly known as Leningrad, St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Czar Peter the Great and is considered the cultural capital of Russia. Modern skyscrapers rise above ancient architecture in this most westernized of Russian cities. St. Petersburg offers many museums and parks. We tour Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Savior of Spilled Blood, and the State Hermitage Museum at the stunning Winter Palace complex.

As with any of the Seven Summits, climbing Mount Elbrus requires good physical conditioning and entails a certain amount of risk. At Mountain Gurus, we schedule our expeditions for late summer when the weather is most stable. But even in summer, weather in the Caucasus can be unpredictable. You should prepare for high winds and cold temperatures on the upper mountain.

With a summit elevation of 18,510 feet, altitude illness is possible on Mount Elbrus. Our expert guides carefully monitor each team member for altitude-related symptoms. On summit day, we will gain more than 5,000 vertical feet. Adequate physical training prior to the climb is essential.

The Southside Route is a non-technical climb, making Elbrus one of the less physically demanding Seven Summits. It is an excellent and rewarding choice for anyone who wants to stand on one of the world’s highest peaks. From the western summit, you will enjoy a view of a seemingly endless chain of mountains stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.

Whenever you venture into the wild – whether to the roof of the world on Everest or to the birthplace of man on the plains of the Serengeti – you should consider two priorities. First, enjoying your adventure and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Second, staying safe. At Mountain Gurus, we ensure both. We guide thousands of clients every year on adventures all over the world. On every trip, safety is our top priority.

We look forward to supporting you throughout your journey, from booking to summit day. To learn more about our services, history and philosophy, please visit: Why Mountain Gurus.

Read our Four-Legged Stool blog post for tips on finding the right adventure for you.