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All trips suspended until further notice, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine |
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Course
overview
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At
over 800m higher than Mont Blanc, Elbrus
is the “Seventh Summit” of Europe.
In terms of technical difficulty, it is
easier than Mont Blanc, although the importance
of acclimatisation is greater, as it is
higher. |
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The
mountain is an extinct volcano, conical in
shape, with a crater rim on which the twin
summits are perched. The higher west peak
is reached by a steep snow climb from Sedlowina
saddle, the col separating the peaks. |
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You
require no previous climbing or mountaineering
experience for this expedition, as you are
taught all necessary ice axe and crampon skills
on the mountain, but you should be a competent
trekker who is familiar with 6-7 hour days
with up to 1300m of height gains. |
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This expedition
will appeal to those who have ascended Mont
Blanc, or one of the other major Alpine peaks,
who want to step up a gear in terms of altitude.
While the mountain is one of the Seven Summits,
it is one of the most enjoyable to climb,
as the Alpine approach is used, and there
is no need for siege style tactics, porters,
or time consuming walk in's. |
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The
accommodation we use in the Caucasus varies
from hotels in the valley, to mountain huts
such as the famous Barrels Hut on the mountain,
though generally we opt to stay in private
huts at the same altitude as the Barrels which
are cleaner and more comfortable. This provides
you with the best starting point for the ascent,
to ensure you are comfortable and warm. |
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You fly in and out of the local Caucasus town
of Mineralyne Vody, from where you are transferred
to the Baksan valley. The itinerary aims to
maximise time on the mountain, whilst minimising
the amount of time that you have to take off
work for the expedition. |
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Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Elbrus
expedition trip dossier, trip specific kit
list and invoice. |
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Expedition
notes
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Our
formula is to restrict the group sizes, so that
there are a maximum of 15 clients. The small group
sizes enable us to run specialist ascents, where
the group can bond well, and each expedition member
has great access to the local guides. |
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Whilst
every effort will be made to adhere to the planned
itinerary, it must be realised that in this type
of adventurous travel, changes to the itinerary
may occur. Your final itinerary may differ in respect
of the places where you stay overnight. Please bear
this in mind, especially in the Caucasus! |
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On
the ascent of Elbrus, you are guided by local guides
who have detailed local knowledge. Local guides
are not ‘guiding’ or qualified in the
same stringent way as IFMGA International Mountain
Guides, but work in a far more traditional sense
as route finders and assistants to our expedition
members, so a higher degree of adventure and autonomy
is required than on our Alpine trips. |
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Our
trips are privately run exclusively for Icicle
clients where there are six or more people booked on a date. All the trips are guaranteed even for one person, and if there are five or less
of our clients on a trip, you are matched with other
clients from our partners. We use local logistics
agents for visa invitations, guides, transport and
accommodation. You are guided by an English speaking
local guide on these trips. |
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With
adventure travel, the unexpected is the norm in
these areas and, despite painstaking planning and
organisation, our adventure holidays can never be
taken for granted like regular holidays. Many of
the
places that we visit do not have the same quality
of emergency health and safety services that we
are used to in the developed world. Internal flights
can be cancelled, road transport is generally uncomfortable
and unreliable, and hotels and any star ratings
often do not approach the equivalent standards of
the West. If you are not prepared for this, you
should not book on this style of trip. We see these
factors as a selling point, and it really defines
for us what adventure travel is all about. |
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Elbrus
expedition itinerary
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standard 8 day Elbrus via the South route itinerary typically
runs from Sunday to Sunday, but on some dates at the extremities or in peak season, days may alter, so please check the datess carefully.
The reason for the alternation is to fit with the changes
in the majority of flight schedules in peak and off peak
seasons, to give you the maximum flexibility possible. |
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| Day |
Itinerary |
Night |
Meals |
| Sun |
Fly
to Mineralyne Vody Airport, to arrive for the group
airport transfer departing at 14.30 (allow an hour
after flight arrival for baggage collection, etc).
The airport transfer takes approximately three and
a half hours to the Baksan Valley. Transfer to the
hotel in Baksan valley, in the foothills of Mount
Elbrus. In the evening there is an expedition briefing,
and time to check and sort any equipment and answer
any last minute queries. Dinner with the group.
Night in hotel. |
Hotel |
D |
| Mon |
After
breakfast at the hotel there is an acclimatisation
hike of Peak Terskol (3100m). Apart from great views
of the Elbrus region, this hike allows you to test
your equipment and see if you are missing anything.
You descend back to the valley and in the afternoon
your guide will assist you in visiting the local
equipment store to buy any extra supplies or hire
anything extra. Dinner with the group. Night in
the hotel. |
Hotel |
BLD |
| Tue |
A
short bus transfer from the hotel to the Azau ski
station, from which you take the ski lift to Mir
station 3500m, and the chair lift to the hut at
c. 3800m. You can leave all extra kit not needed
on the mountain at the hotel. The cook will either
ascend with you or will already be preparing a light
lunch at the hut. After lunch you have an acclimatisation
hike on the lower slopes of Elbrus up to 4300 m.
Dinner with the group. Night in the shared dormitory
in the mountain hut. |
Hut |
BLD |
| Wed |
Today
is an essential acclimatisation ascent to the Pashtukov
Rocks, high above the former Priutt hut. Here you
get good views of the famous Sedlowina saddle and
snowy Ushba peak. You should also start to feel
that your acclimatisation is starting to work as
you are hiking up to around 4800m. After some lunch
and time for some photos you descend back to the
mountain hut for the night. Dinner
with the group. Night in the shared dormitory in
the mountain hut. |
Hut |
BLD |
| Thu |
Today
is a lighter day after yesterday, to allow the acclimatisation
to stabilise, and to develop
your technical skills before the summit attempt
tomorrow. Your guide will teach you ice axe and
crampon skills close to the refuge. You will learn
how to put on the crampons and how to use them,
and the techniques of self-arrest. You then have
the opportunity to practice sliding down the slope
and stop yourself using your ice-axe. Don't worry
if you have no previous experience as all skills
are taught. Dinner with the group. Night in the shared dormitory
in the mountain hut. |
Hut |
BLD |
| Fri |
Leaving
the hut at c. 03.00am you climb Elbrus' west summit
(5642m). This takes c. 9 hours in total (c. 5 hours
up and 4 down). It is possible to hire a snow-cat
(Ratrak) for the group (or shared between multiple
groups) and this will be discussed between you and
your guide. This vehicle carries climbers (up to
12 people) up to Pastuckhov rocks and saves c. 4
hours and a lot of energy. Normally you stay at
the hut in the evening but if the group returns
early then it may be possible to descend to the
valley hotel (for an extra charge, see exclusions
section). Dinner & night in hut. |
Hut |
BLD |
| Sat |
This
is a spare reserve day for a summit attempt, in
case of bad weather on the previous day. Or for
those who summited yesterday, it is the descent
after breakfast from the hut back to the hotel in
the Baksan valley. When the group makes a summit
attempt today, it is usually necessary to use the
snowcat to gain height quickly and descend to the
valley the same evening quickly as the ski lifts
stop working at 16.00pm. Once
back in the valley there is time for showers, then
a celebratory meal in the hotel. Night
in hotel. |
Hotel |
BL |
| Sun |
Breakfast
in the hotel, before the group return airport
transfer to Mineralyne Vody airport, to arrive
c. 10.30am. This is suitable for flights departing
after 12.30. If your flight departs much later
than 12.30 then a private airport transfer can
be arranged for an additional charge (see exclusions
section below). |
n/a |
B |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionally we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this itinerary as a guide to the types
of route / activity you attempt. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course |
6 full days Elbrus guiding, 1:5 max ratio
8 days holiday total, Saturday-Saturday |
£1299 |
Live
availability |
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) Elbrus guides for daily
leading and instruction, 2) Pre expedition Information
dossier, 3) Equipment discount voucher for UK shop, 4)
Three nights of hotel accommodation (twin or triple rooms)
and hut accommodation (shared multi-sex dormitories) in
Baksan region on a full board (dinner, bed and breakfast)
basis, 5) Road transport in region and airport transfers
(communal with rest of group, to leave airport at 14.30
on day 1 and drop off by 10.30 on last day - different
transfer times available see note in exclusions), 6) All
costs for expedition leaders, local guides and porters,
7) We provide all communal equipment (you provide your
own clothing, mountaineering boots, and climbing equipment),
8) Cable cars or mountain uplift (as mentioned in detailed
itinerary), 9) Invitation letter for Russian visa, 9)
Climbing certificate for successfully summiting Elbrus,
10) Free (with UK postage) Icicle expedition kit bag. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to & from Mineralnye Vody airport, 2) Evening
meal on the last night in area (budget on c. £20
per night), 3) Airport transfers outside communal times
(as outlined above) these are c.£85 each way, 4)
Single room upgrades in hotel (subject to availability,
c.£85 extra), 5) UK and foreign airport taxes, optional
trips, souvenirs and tips, 6) Extra valley hotel night
and dinner on Thursday night if you descend to the valley
(as that night is paid for in the mountain hut and cannot
be refunded if not used / cancelled (c.£85 per person),
7) Your personal laundry, telephone calls, and any purchases
in mountain huts / hotels / bars / restaurants, 8) Any
additional cable cars or mountain uplift, and the use
of the Snowcat (up to c.£100 per person up to 5000m,
snowcat can take 8-10 people), 9) Local national park
fees (c.£25), 10) Extras before course: personal
activities insurance, & excess baggage charges, 11)
Visa application costs. |
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Icicle
expedition kit bag for FREE
All those booking on
this trip are entitled to a free Icicle expedition
kit bag. This tough c.65 litre capacity kit bag
is designed for full expedition usage and is made
out of durable fabric, and features carry straps.
It normally retails at £50. Postage within
the UK is included in the prices. If you live overseas,
it's not a problem at all. We'll let you know the
price for postage. Want a second bag? Order another, click
here. |
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Current
course availability
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Course Dates
Elbrus via south
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Client
feedback
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A
brilliant expedition. If there was any
critisism, it would be that you don't
make enough of how interesting this
extraordinary region is, on your website
Terry
K , Elbrus
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This
was the penultimate of my seven summits,
and it's only Kili to go, which I'm
doing with you in a few months. Thanks
so much for this trip. Really great
local team, and a well organised trip
Samuel
S , Elbrus
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A
great trip, and interesting to see Moscow
on my way through, but far more interesting
to spend time in these amazing mountains
Graham
J , Elbrus
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Snow
cat on summit day? |
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| Is
this cheating? No more than using ski lifts in areas such
as the Alps, and we highly recommend it A
snow cat lift up to the Pastukhov rocks can be organised
if booked before, to shorten the summit day by about 900m.
This usually translates to between 2 and 3 hours of climbing,
so isn't to be sniffed at. This is not essential, but
is highly recommended to shorten the day a little, if
you have any concerns about the cold, length of day, or
the weather forecast. The guide will be able to advise
you on the day before the summit on whether your group
would benefit from using this. The cost of the snow cat
is c. €500 up to 4800m €1000 up to 5000m which
is split between all the clients, and don't worry if you
are a small group as other groups on the mountain usually
join together to split the cost. |
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| Travel
visas for Russia |
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visa is obligatory for entry and travel within Russia
for tourists, and should be carried with you throughout
the trip as it (and all other paperwork such as passport,
insurance or climbing permits) can be requested and checked
at any time. When booking this trip, please ensure that
you provide your full name, date and place of birth, citizenship,
passport number and its date of issue (ensure it is valid
for 6 months after your trip). You should supply a copy
of your passport and your insurance to Icicle before you
travel. The Russian travel visa can be obtained in the
UK direct from the Russian Embassy (click
here). Our local Russian agent is accredited with
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will issue
a visa support invitation letter, usually 8 weeks before
your trip. This you need to apply in person / by post
at the Russian Embassy for your visa, or some opt to use
a visa agent company (e.g. Action Visas / Visa Swift),
to collect it in person for you. Ensure that you allow
at least 6 weeks before departure to arrange your visa,
to allow for the bureaucratic process (it usually takes
c. 4 weeks). If you would like to spend time in Moscow
before travelling to Mineralyne Vody you should ask us
to arrange your night(s) of accommodation through our
local Russian operators so that they can write a visa
invitation letter for the full trip including Moscow (if
you arrange your Moscow trip direct you will have to ask
your accommodation provider for a separate visa invitation
letter). Further details are in the Icicle Elbrus trip
dossier that you receive upon booking the trip. |
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| Flights
to Mineralnye Vody |
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| When
flying from Europe, the easiest route is via Moscow Sheremetyevo
(SVO) airport, then onwards to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) regional
airport. There are no direct flights, and we advise that
you avoid routes via Moscow Domodedovo (DME) or Moscow
Vnukovo (VKO), because Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) is the
main hub airport, and it lessens the risks of baggage
delays in transit. You can check out flights and routes
on Skyscanner (http://www.skyscanner.net). Return tickets
at present from London Heathrow (LHR) cost in the region
of £360 with Aeroflot (correct Sept 2014). This
Icicle trip price includes the airport transfers to and
from Mineralnye Vody airport to the Elbrus region on a
shared transfer basis leaving on the first day at 14.30
and taking you back to the airport at 10.30 on the last
day, different times are available at your cost (see section
on exclusions below for private airport transfer costs). |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
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| Why
choose our trips? |
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See
our climbing blog, by clicking on the Wordpress
logo to the right. |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from exchange rates, so you can budget accurately. |
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There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience. |
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| Any
further questions? |
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A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
 
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. |
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