Mount Elbrus Planning
18,510FT / 5,642M | RussiaPaperwork
Please return the requested paperwork as soon as possible.
- Application
- Flight itinerary
- Passport Copy
Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Even with the best planning, unexpected circumstances — such as an injury or family emergency — may prevent you from joining your trip.
Trip Insurance Info (opens in new tab)All US citizens are required to have a visa before arriving in Russia. Visas must be taken care of well in advance of the climb and may be obtained from our recommended visa service or procured directly from a Russian Embassy or consulate. Before obtaining a visa, a letter of invitation from Russia must accompany your application. We will provide all information to assist you in getting a visa.
We will mail all applications and the Letter of Invitation to you prior to your trip. You do not need to do anything until you receive this package (about 60 days before departure).
Important Note: You must have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from date of entry.
Meet Times & Transport
Note that trip dates exclude travel time from your home country. A day-to-day itinerary can be found with your confirmation letter.
Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible. Please forward a copy of your flight itinerary before final purchase so we can review departure and arrival dates.
Alpine Ascents can make pick-up, hotel, and transport arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
Flying to Moscow, Russia
Arrival: Arrive in Moscow on Day 1 of your trip itinerary. Please arrive by 3 p.m. Orientation meeting and welcome dinner is at 5:00 p.m. Because independent travel in Russia is difficult, please contact us if you are considering arriving a day early.
Departure: Depart from St. Petersburg on the last day of your itinerary. Please consult your specific itinerary for departure date. Generally these flights depart in the morning and arrive back in the US on the same calendar day.
Early Arrival/Late Departure: We are happy to accommodate other flights. For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel and transport arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance of your departure if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Missed Flights: If you miss your flight or if your flight is significantly delayed, please contact Gordon Janow by calling our Seattle office (206) 378-1927 and follow the prompt for 24-hour contact.
Upon Arrival
Upon entry into Russia, you will get an immigration form. Remember to retain this immigration form for customs inspectors on your return flight home.
Given the nature of the Moscow Airport we suggest using a taxi or Uber to reach your hotel. This will allow you to easily exit the building as opposed to trying to meet up with a pre-arranged driver. If you are uncomfortable taking a taxi or Uber, we can arrange a pick-up for you.
Contact information for your guide and/or a local contact will be emailed with your team roster about a month prior to your trip. Please make sure you have this contact information saved or written down while traveling.
Hotels
Given the nature of the Moscow Airport, we suggest using a taxi or Uber to reach your hotel. This will allow you to easily exit the building as opposed to trying to meet up with a pre-arranged driver. If you are uncomfortable taking a taxi or Uber, we can arrange a pick-up for you.
If you prearrange a pick-up with us, your guide or an Alpine Ascents representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in Moscow. Please ensure we have a copy of your arrival schedule, and have your guide’s contact information saved (will be sent a month prior to trip).
For climbers who prefer single room accommodations, these arrangements can be made for an additional fee. Be aware that private rooms are available at hotels and resorts during our trip, but not in the mountain huts.
For climbers choosing double room accommodations every effort will be made to pair you with another climber. A Single Room Supplement Fee will apply if a match cannot be made or there is a last minute cancellation. This will help keep our overall program pricing down since unlike other companies we do not charge more for smaller groups.
In Moscow
Arbat Hotel
Plotnikov Pereulock 12, Moscow
Phone: +7 (499) 450-61-75
Website: arbathotel.ru/en
In St. Petersburg
Petro Palace Hotel
Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa 14, Saint-Petersburg
Phone: +7 (812) 571-30-06
Wesbite: petropalacehotel.com
In Mineral Vody/Terskol
Hotel Alamat
A158, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Website: hotelalamat.ru
Gear List
Please refer to your Gear List:
You are required to bring every item on this list as described, so be as precise as possible when packing. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear.
If you plan to rent gear, your rental form must be submitted at least a month prior to expedition start date. Please call our office or e-mail [email protected] with any questions.
Gear Lexicon
If you’re confused by items and/or language on the Gear List, we encourage you to refer to our Gear Guide for explanations on layering systems, differences between boots, etc.
Other Resources
Below are articles written by veteran Alpine Ascents guides that you may find helpful in preparing and packing for your expedition.
Medications & Prescriptions for Mountain Climbing
Not on the Gear List, but in our Backpacks
Packing Tips
People generally take too much “stuff” rather than too little. Study each item before you pack it. Eliminate redundant items, extra changes of clothing, and excessive“nice to have” luxuries. You will benefit from traveling light because of the costs of excess baggage and because of the frequent loading and unloading of bags. Remember to review your airline’s weight limits and pack accordingly. Traveling light may be your key to summit success. Take everything on the required equipment list and little else.
Luggage
This expedition is logistics-heavy. The best way to have a comfortable, smooth trip is to understand ahead of time how you’ll pack and move your gear around Russia. You need four different types of luggage for this trip:
- Expedition Backpack – big, comfortable, and ready to hold all of your gear on the upper mountain.
- Expedition Duffel Bag – the biggest, burliest duffel available. Think 150-liters in size.
- Trekking Backpack – 30-40 liters, enough to carry light snacks, layers, and water.
- Small Duffel – carry-on luggage of any kind that isn’t hard-sided nor wheeled.
Stage 1 – Travel to Russia
Pack everything (except for a few items mentioned below) into your expedition duffel and check it in with your airline. Your expedition pack and trekking pack should be flat-packed inside of the duffel bag.
Pack your small duffel as your carry-on, being sure to include any usual comfort items for international air travel. Staying relaxed in the days prior to your expedition will contribute to your success on Elbrus! Pro tip: we typically fly with our high-altitude boots and our insulated pants in our carry-on baggage. These items are nearly impossible to replace locally, while other gear list items can be found in local shops.
Stage 2 – Trip Prep in Moscow
After our gear check, we’ll pack as outlined below:
Stage 3 – Mineral Vody
We fly to Mineral Vody.
Stage 4 – Climbing Elbrus
We climb Elbrus.
Expenses
We recommend using a combination of US dollars and credit cards for purchases and extra expenses in Russia. The airports have exchange booths for changing dollars to rubles, as do the major hotels. Be aware that you lose money each time you change, so it is wise to plan efficiently. ATM’s are generally the better way to obtain rubles, as ATM’s in the city are readily available and usually easier to get to than an exchange kiosk.
ATM’s and exchange bureaus are limited in Terskol, so it is best to exchange dollars for rubles in Moscow before travel to Terskol. Also be aware that like other European cities, Russian cities can be very expensive. Generally $1,000 for travel money is plenty, you will likely use less than half.
Early Departure/Evacuation
If you need to leave the expedition early, you are responsible for all incurred expenses (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). A comprehensive trip insurance plan is strongly recommended, which can cover these costs in the event that they occur.
Tipping
Our guides make every effort to ensure your climb is risk aware, successful, and as enjoyable as possible. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. It’s difficult to recommend a specific amount as we believe tips should be based on level and quality of services, as well as an amount that meets your budget. Please consider the information below to be a general recommendation.
Tipping for local Russian guides averages $200 per person. For Alpine Ascents guides, 8-12% of the total trip cost for the guide team is a standard guideline. Any contribution to the guides’ tip pool can be given directly to your lead guide and will be appreciated by the entire team.
On the Mountain
Physiology Of Mountaineering
Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:
Food & Water
Food variety can be limited in Russia with even greater limitations for those on a vegetarian diet. Our summit bid is
launched from a hut where food is ample but limited in variety. We are aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to make meals a positive part of the climb. We take great care in our meal preparation, understanding the importance staying healthy, fueling effectively, and overall enjoyment.
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Russia, even in the best hotels. All drinking water and water for brushing teeth should be either bottled or treated with a water purification system. Bottled mineral water is widely available throughout the parts of Russia we visit. All water provided on the mountain will be treated by boiling and/or with purification tablets.
Health Tips
You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea. Keep in mind that you will be spending at least 24 hours traveling each way.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.
Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
