Elbrus Single Rooming
Hotel Single Rooming Upgrade
$1250 USD
As standard all of accommodations are based on twin share but we are happy to organise single rooming accommodations for you in the hotels throughout the expedition (St. Petersburg, Moscow and Terskol)
If you snore or are easily awakened by others that do snore, this might be a great option. Having a single room adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way on an expedition.
If you would like a single rooming option please let us know on your application form.
*Please note that accommodation on the mountain is limited to the mountain huts which are very comfortable but they are dormitory style so single rooming isn’t available on these nights.
5-Day Mount Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
5-Day Mount Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
Share Expedition
Price: $1,750 USD
2025 Dates:
- June 26 – 30, 2025
- July 10 – 14, 2025
- July 17 – 21, 2025 – Masters (50+)
- July 30 – August 3, 2025
- August 6 – 10, 2025
2026 Dates:
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June 4 – 8, 2026 – All Women’s Expedition
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June 11 – 15, 2026
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July 9 – 13, 2026
- July 20 – 25, 2026 – Masters (50+)
Our 5-day Mount Baker expedition not only climbs the peak but takes advantage of an extra two full days of comprehensive mountaineering training, making it an ideal prep for climbers looking to move on to the Seven Summits, Denali, or bigger peaks in the Himalayas.
You will spend most of your expedition mastering skills in Baker’s ideal glaciated terrain before climbing and summiting the mountain towards the end of the week. Another bonus of the 5-day program is flexibility, allowing us to select the best weather window for your summit bid.
Course Learning Covers:
- Alpine safety
- Expedition & snow camping – site selection, tent set up, snow block walls, kitchen setup, camp hygiene
- Mountaineering skills – crampon technique, self-arrest training, climbing efficiency techniques
- Crevasse rescue
- Knots, hitches, and rope craft
- Ice climbing (condition dependent)
- Rappelling
- Snow anchors & running protection
The curriculum may be adapted to take advantage of current weather conditions.
Provided are guidance, expedition oversight, skills seminars, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Mt. Baker.
Prices subject do not include an additional 8.6% Sedro Woolley city and state tax.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Sedro Woolley one day early to avoid travel delays, or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrive in Sedro-Woolley by 8:00 a.m. Quick gear check/rentals and drive to trailhead. Hike to Sandy Camp, establish our base camp while training expedition camp site selection and construction
- Day 2: Training Day. Focus on basic travel efficiency and snow travel techniques, introduce rope systems and basic knots/hitches.
- Day 3: Training Day. Focus on more advanced ropework, anchor construction and running belays.
- Day 4: Summit attempt! Wake up early for an alpine start, ascend the Easton Glacier Route to the summit, descend route back to camp. After a rest, evaluate the climb and review skills used during the climb.
- Day 5: Wrap up training and descend to trailhead by 1:00 p.m. Drive back to Sedro-Woolley, arriving around 3:00-4:00pm. Return any rental gear and bid a fond farewell to your teammates.
It is advised that you book local accommodation for the night of your last day instead of traveling home when you will be tired.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included in the Mt. Baker 5-Day Alpine Academy & Climb
- Professional mountain guides
- All on-mountain breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- First-aid equipment
- Satellite phone to update the blog and available to clientele at $3/minute
Excluded from Mt. Baker 5-Day Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
- All in-town restaurant meals
- Lunches/snacks while on the climb. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- Hotels before or after the climb
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Flight costs
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mt. Elbrus Private Climb
$13,950 USD
1:1 Client to Guide Ratio | Customizable dates
Do you need to set your own custom dates to fit around work/family/life commitments?
Are you looking for the personalised attention of a 1:1 guide? Or both?
We are happy to organise a private Elbrus expedition for you which allows you to dictate the schedule, amend it depending on how you’re feeling and fully customise a program.
A private guide can be also be an invaluable advantage, coaching you through skills, giving valuable feedback and being exclusively and 100% available to you.
It’s the perfect fit for climbers who really want true independence and a high level of personal support.
Your Elbrus expedition marries the best of both worlds, fantastic climbing and the opportunity to see the best of Russia with private tours of both St. Petersburg and Moscow to bookend the trip.
You will meet your private climbing guide in St. Petersburg and they will stay with you throughout your entire expedition. Having toured the best of St. Petersburg, you will then fly into the Elbrus region and transfer to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage your climb.
First you will acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here you will spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before your summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, you may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving you the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy your climb.
Following your climb, celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows a day to relax and explore the valley, before flying back to Moscow.
In Moscow, take in the wonders of Red Square, St. Basils’ and the Kremlin amongst others, before waving farewell to your guide and heading home.
Contact us so we can help you plan your dream Elbrus Expedition around your dates.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 8: 1st potential summit day
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Private Climb:
- CTSS Private Elbrus Guide who will meet you in St. Petersburg and be with you until you depart Moscow
- Full logistical and expedition support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Mountain food
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with private English speaking guide
- Single hotel accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Private Climb:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mt. Elbrus Climb and Ski Descent
$5,995 USD
2nd July – 13 July, 2023
Mt. Elbrus is not only a fantastic climb it offers an excellent backcountry ski descent.
Skiing off the summit of one of the “Seven Summits” is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It has a long descent of 5,000 vertical feet or more which is not only fun but saves hours of down-climbing.
This option is suited for strong climbers who have significant ski experience who are comfortable carrying ski gear in addition to their day pack and are confident on steep terrain (Must be comfortable on black diamond runs)
The ski descent option runs in conjunction with our classic Mt. Elbrus climb team which marries the best of both worlds, fantastic climbing and the opportunity to see the best of Russia with tours of both St. Petersburg and Moscow to bookend the trip.
Having met in and toured St. Petersburg, we fly together into the Elbrus region and make our way to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage our climb.
First, we acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here we spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before our summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, climbers may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving people the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy their climb.
Following your summit, you will strap on your skis and enjoy the run of a lifetime all the way back to the mountain huts!
Leaving the mountain the next day, we celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows a day to relax and explore the valley, before flying to Moscow.
In Moscow, we take in the wonders of Red Square, St. Basils’ and the Kremlin amongst others, before waving farewell to the team and heading home.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 8: 1st potential summit day
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Classic Climb & Ski Descent:
- CTSS Elbrus Guides & Support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Full expedition logistics
- Mountain food and team gear (ropes, anchors etc)
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with English speaking guides
- Hotel Accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Classic Climb & Ski Descent:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Ski gear including boots/skis/poles, hire charges or excess baggage related to ski gear
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Elbrus Express
$4,495 USD
July 4 – July 12, 2023
July 16 - July 24, 2023
Pressed for time?
Whilst touring the great cities of Russia is certainly an amazing experience, (which we encourage) we also understand not everyone has the time to visit both St. Petersburg & Moscow, or perhaps they have already seen these great sights on a previous visit, or have a future trip planned and therefore the Elbrus Express expedition which cuts out the city touring to focus exclusively on the climbing, is a better fit.
In which case you will cut short the beginning and end of the trip.
On our Elbrus Express climb you will meet the team at the airport ready for the domestic flight to the Elbrus region. (We ask everyone to book the same domestic flight and will provide flight numbers – please note the airport you arrive at in St. Pete’s may not be the same as the Elbrus flight departs from, and you may need to transfer between airports. This is easy to overcome by taking a cab)
Arriving in the Elbrus region we make our way to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage our climb.
First we acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here we spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before our summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, climbers may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving people the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy their climb.
Following our climb, we celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows, enjoy a day to relax and explore the valley.
The following morning the team, including our express climbers will be transported to the local airport (Min Vody) for their onward flights home, while the rest of the team heads to Moscow for their final tours. Please note that it is often easiest to catch the same domestic flight to Moscow with the team and then transit from there as there is a greater availability of connecting international flights from Moscow.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg and meet the team at the airport in time for the domestic flight to the Elbrus region
- Day 2: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 3: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 4: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 5: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 6: 1st potential summit day
- Day 7: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 8: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 9: Transfer to Min Vody airport, fly to Moscow and connect with your international flight home.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Express Climb:
- CTSS Elbrus Guides & Support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Full expedition logistics
- Mountain food and team gear (ropes, anchors etc)
- Hotel Accommodation in the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Express Climb:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mt Elbrus Classic Climb
$5,395 USD
July 2rd – July 13, 2023
July 14th - July 25th, 2023
Our classic Mt. Elbrus climb is our most popular climb because it marries the best of both worlds, fantastic climbing and the opportunity to see the best of Russia with tours of both St. Petersburg and Moscow to bookend the trip.
Having met in and toured St. Petersburg, we fly together as a team into the Elbrus region and make our way to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage our climb.
First we acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here we spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before our summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, climbers may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving people the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy their climb.
Following our climb, we celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows a day to relax and explore the valley, before flying to Moscow.
In Moscow, we take in the wonders of Red Square, St. Basils’ and the Kremlin amongst others, before waving farewell to the team and heading home.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 8: 1st potential summit day
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Classic Climb:
- CTSS Elbrus Guides & Support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Full expedition logistics
- Mountain food and team gear (ropes, anchors etc)
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with English speaking guides
- Hotel Accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Classic Climb:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
How to Choose The Right Elbrus Expedition
Sometimes half the challenge of climbing can be just getting to the mountain and this is very true when it comes to climbing Elbrus in Russia.
Researching and choosing the right expedition company to support you and help guide you through all logistics, as well as be there for you on the mountain is important. You want to do your homework so you feel 100% confident in your choice and can focus on the climb.
We encourage you to look closely at both the big picture and the small details. Look at a company’s priority on safety, the quality and experience of their guides, their reputation, and their level of ‘care factor’.
Safety & Success
Your safety and success are the top priorities, in that order.
An expedition company should invest heavily and plan extensively for your safety.
They need to have extensive understanding of the unique environment you are in and demonstrate that they know the nuances of the climb and the dangers of the peak. Elbrus is a climb that is often underestimated. While technically straight forward enough, it can be subject to extreme weather conditions and white outs.
For instance, did you know electrical storms are common in the afternoon on Elbrus? As such it’s important to leave early, summit early and be back to lower ground before storms roll in. White outs are also common and getting off route could see you in dangerous crevasse fields. You need to be able to trust your guides to be able to expertly navigate any conditions safely.
Leadership
Look for Guides who are seasoned experts with a strategy that is patient, conservative and well planned to give you the best opportunity for success. They should be apt at managing the team, be able to lean on extensive experience and “thread the needle” when it comes to picking the best summit window and help you to navigate traveling in Russia safely and enjoyably.
Our mountaineering guide staff are second to none, but our teams ALSO always include phenomenal local guides who have spent considerable time in the Elbrus region, speak Russian and can share their culture with you, but are also familiar with the higher expectation around safety and customer service that CTSS demands, giving you the best of both worlds.
Skills Clinic & Training
Elbrus is a fantastic opportunity to learn (or concrete) the key mountaineering skills you will use throughout your entire climbing career.
It is important that your operator dedicates time in your itinerary to a ‘snow school’ or climbing clinic.
Feel free to ask what skills they cover off, how they teach them and and how much time they dedicate to that training. Some of the most important skills are often overlooked, like the rest step, pressure breathing and pacing amongst the more hands on skills like self arrest, efficient cramponing, fixed line climbing etc.
CTSS dedicates an entire day in the schedule for training on the mountain which also forms part of our acclimatisation so there is plenty of time to ensure everyone is confident in their new skill set. Your guide will also help you implement and continue to coach you in these skills throughout your climb.
Marginal Gains - The small things add up!
Have you heard of the “Marginal Gains” philosophy?
The idea is that by capitalising on every little hidden advantage, 1% here, 1% there, small gains quickly compound into a huge overall improvement.
CTSS prides itself on this kind of innovation across all of our expeditions including Elbrus. We optimize both the big details like guide staff, schedules etc, all the way through to the tiny comfort details.
For instance we employ our own cook to come up to the mountain hut with us to serve us fresh, seasonal, local food which is hearty and delicious vs. eating dehydrated or basic camp meals because we know well fed climbers are happy, healthy climbers with more energy on summit day. It’s also why we invest in the nicest accommodation in what is a pretty rustic mountain town and the nicest mountain huts. People may dismiss these little luxuries as ‘soft’ but in fact we invest in them because they are highly strategic.
More Than Just The Climb
Russia offers an incredible travel opportunity beyond just your climb. Choose an operator who gives you the opportunity to mix your climbing goals with culture and a thorough exploration of this incredible destination. After all, you’ve gone to all the trouble of getting a Russian tourist visa!
The combination is a large part of what makes our Elbrus expedition a crowd favourite year in, year out.
We spend ample time sightseeing both the highlights of St. Petersburg & Moscow vs. transiting to the mountain through one of the main cities with a box ticking token tour.
By top and tailing the trip with the best of Russia you get a lovely icebreaker at the beginning (allowing you to get to know your team mates and shake off the jetlag) and a wonderful way to celebrate and recover from your climb as you complete your trip before you head home. All of our climbers report equal enjoyment from both the culture and the climbing – it’s what makes this adventure so special.
Values & Philosophy
Does an operator have strong values?
This is sometimes a little harder to identify as it’s more a feeling than a sales pitch, but you should get a feel for a company through their little interactions, their care factor, their attention to detail, their corporate social responsibility, their response to you.
Mountaineering can be high risk and stressful so pick an operator who has strong core values and a team mentality that aligns with yours so that when things get challenging you can rely on open lines of communication, knowing they will do what they can to support you.
It is this team cohesiveness that flows through to each individual climber and helps them stand on top.
Elbrus Training & Prerequisites
Experience Level
Elbrus is a great trip in that there are no technical prerequisites – you don’t need any prior technical mountaineering experience as we cover all of that in our comprehensive skills clinic as part of your climb. (Whether you are learning these for the first time or as a refresher or just good practice as an advanced climber, these are foundational skills you will use religiously throughout your entire climbing career) From a technical standpoint, it is an ideal first alpine climb.
That said, there is a prerequisite that you are physically very fit and healthy. Elbrus shouldn’t be dismissed ‘as easy’ just because it is suitable for beginners. Like any high altitude mountain it should not be underestimated.
Physical Training
You need to be very physically fit and able to dedicate time to ‘climbing specific training’ in the lead up to your expedition. Being in top shape will also ensure you enjoy your climb, feel good throughout and get the most out of the experience.
It is vital that your training closely simulates what you will be doing on the mountain. Traditional gym workouts or general fitness plans aren’t targeted enough. Instead you need to emulate long physical days (8hrs +) in the mountains
We recommend that you:
- Start specific mountaineering training at least 3 months in advance
- Train at least 5 days a week for an hour or more
- Focus on high volume but low intensity training
- A good goal is to be able to comfortably climb 1,500 vertical ft per hour with 6-8kg, 15lbs day pack
- Schedule a few weekends where you can do two or more full days back to back. Multi day hikes with good elevation are ideal.
Mindset
Mindset and mental preparation are integral to your success on any peak.
You should be prepared:
- To be away from home/work for 2 weeks with short periods of being out of range
- Have a desire for rugged adventure travel
- Be open to receiving and deferring to guidance, support and advice from your guides/expedition leaders (even if you are an experienced mountaineer)
- Be comfortable having open conversations with your guides
- Be able to work well in a team environment by being supportive and respectful of fellow team mates
- Be humble, respectful and considerate even under pressure
Elbrus Advice from Mike Hamill
A Personal Welcome to 'Climbing the Seven Summits' Mt. Elbrus Expedition from Mike Hamill
Elbrus is a fantastic climb for so many reasons, not just because it is a approachable, achievable peak that is a fantastic progression point or opportunity to reconsolidate your skillset but also as an awesome travel experience. One thing that always strikes me, is just how beautiful the Elbrus region is. Hidden away in a remote corner of Russia, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful mountain ranges and yet it is quiet, authentic and not overrun with hordes of tourists.
I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.
To help you on your Elbrus journey here are just a handful of things I’ve imparted on my clients over the years (and used myself!) that have helped them be successful – tips that I hope will contribute to your summit too.
Best wishes,
Mike
- Don’t underestimate the weather on Elbrus, make sure you invest in your warm gear and you carry it with you on the mountain even if you think the weather is going to be nice all day. It can get very windy on Elbrus and temperatures can drop quickly.
- Make sure your down parka is the last thing to go into your pack so it’s the first thing you can pull out. Put it on at every rest break before you start to get cold. It takes less energy for your body to maintain its warmth, than to have to warm up again once you start to notice you are getting cold.
- Look for the steps of climbers ahead of you and try to step in their steps. It’s much harder to kick in your own staircase on the steeper sections than use the one that’s already in place. As you start up, take a quick moment to look for these tracks to save yourself some energy. It’s worth conserving your energy even if you are at the start of your day.
- If you are tempted to take the snow cat on summit morning, don’t feel like you are “cheating” in anyway. Your previous acclimatization days will have put you at the same high point as the snow cat drops you off so you have still climbed every step of the mountain one way or another.
- If you are a skier or snowboarder I highly recommend the ski descent, it’s a memorable way to descend one of the Seven Summits (and a bonus claim to fame) as you can ski right off the summit. Not to mention its a much faster, more fun way back to the hut for a well deserved celebration.
Elbrus Expedition Beta & Route
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Elevation: 5,642m or 18,510ft
Duration: 12 Days
Continent: Russia
Route: Southside Route
Difficulty: Beginner
Special Considerations: Russian tourist visas need to be secured in advance and can take time for you to organise so it is important to commit to Elbrus as early as possible.
Route Choice
We have chosen the Southern climbing route to give you the best chance of summiting Mt. Elbrus. This is known as the “trade route” on the mountain and rightfully so. It offers the least technical climbing and a minimum of crevasse hazards en route to the top.
All of our expeditions incorporate a slow acclimatization schedule giving you the best chance of summiting without experiencing altitude illness, and are organized by world renowned guide and expeditions leader, Mike Hamill. More than 150 climbers have stood atop Mt. Elbrus under Mike’s direct guidance.
Every expedition originates in St. Petersburg where we explore this colorful city before flying to Mineralnye Vody in the Elbrus region.
Once in the Elbrus region we will spend several days acclimatizing based out of our mountain Chalet while enjoying the local cuisine. We then move up to our mountain hut and make a summit bid after a few days of acclimatization. If we summit on time we will use our contingency days to relax back down in the valley, exploring, horse riding, and enjoying Russian Banya before flying to Moscow.
Here in the largest city in Russia, we will tour Red Square, the Kremlin, see St Basil’s Cathedral and visit various other sights of historic importance. We then transfer to the airport to start our journey home. You are welcome to extend your trip should you wish.
Climbing Mt. Elbrus requires solid fitness, an ability to perform well at altitude, the mindset to be away from home for several weeks, and a desire for rugged adventure travel. The Caucasus region of Russia is still a remote and rugged place off the beaten path an is true adventure travel. When away from the major cities don’t expect lattes and blazing fast internet. We will be traveling on glaciated terrain with crampons, harnesses and ice axes and clipping in to fixed ropes. Not to worry if you haven’t done these skills before as we will lead you through a complete snow and climbing school as one of our acclimatization days prior to the summit bid.
