Severe Weather on Elbrus

On the third of March 2016, severe weather on Elbrus prevented the Mountain Guide team, led by Alexander Eliseev and Grigory Kochetkov, from making an ascent. With visibility down to zero and a blizzard raging, they managed with difficulty to reach only the top of Pastukhov Rocks (4700m) from the Barrels, where the decision was made to turn back. Yet the participants were neither disappointed nor downhearted — quite the opposite. The bad weather actually worked in their favour, because the team had brought new ski-mountaineering gear to test its durability in harsh conditions, and that goal was more than achieved. They also used their time well, completing plenty of training and ice work. This time the ascent of Elbrus did not take place, but the mountain still fulfilled the group’s hopes in its own way and left them with nothing but positive impressions.