{"id":37340,"date":"2015-12-31T01:50:01","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T22:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mountainguides.pro\/?p=37340"},"modified":"2026-09-10T16:10:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:10:15","slug":"winter-climb-of-mount-elbrus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mountainguides.pro\/es\/2015\/12\/31\/winter-climb-of-mount-elbrus\/","title":{"rendered":"A winter ascent of Mount Elbrus"},"content":{"rendered":"

A winter ascent of Mount Elbrus is one of the most vivid and most severe adventures you can imagine. The great mountain, buried under snow and ice, draws mountaineers from all over the world, but in winter it becomes especially unforgiving. A climb in this season has a magic of its own, an atmosphere of struggle with the elements and with yourself, and it demands not only physical stamina but a readiness to stand up to cold winds and biting frost. We, a team of experienced guides, invite you to take on this test, to see what you are made of and to enjoy the uncompromising beauty of the Caucasus in winter.<\/p>\n\n

The start of the adventure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

When we first thought about a winter ascent of Elbrus, anticipation was mixed with a slight unease: strong winds, snowfall and freezing cold leave no room for a mistake. Two months of preparation flew past, and then the day came when we set off to meet the icy giant. It was not our first journey to its summit, but Elbrus in winter greets you differently every time: the fields of ice and the whirling snow seem to test your resolve at every step.<\/p>\n\n

The morning began with the drive to the Azau meadow, the place where the road into the world of winter Elbrus begins. From here we were to carry our things up to the famous \u201cBarrels\u201d, the base at 3800 metres. We ran into difficulty straight away: the cable car was out of action with a technical fault. The frost had locked everything solid, and gusts of wind cut through to the bone, adding an edge to the day before we had even started. But the spirit of adventure, and winter Elbrus itself, only fed our enthusiasm.<\/p>\n\n

Preparation, and the first steps towards the summit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

We spent the first night at a hotel on the Azau meadow, so that the next day we could go up to the Mir station. From there the walking part of the route to the \u201cBarrels\u201d began. Along the way the blizzards burned our faces, and the icy wind tore the warmth out of every breath. But the great views of Elbrus in winter, and the determination to keep moving, made it impossible to turn round.<\/p>\n\n

At the \u201cBarrels\u201d the frost grew harder. At altitude everyone felt the icy breath of the mountains in their own way: from toes that ached with cold to a piercing wind that seemed to squeeze the strength out of you. We set off on a training walk to Priyut-11. Snowfall and gusts of wind came down on us with real force, making every minute a genuine test. At the Pastukhov Rocks the cold was joined by a relentless wind that literally knocked us off our feet. But those trials only strengthened our wish to reach the summit.<\/p>\n\n

What winter Elbrus is like<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Elbrus in winter is a kingdom of severe beauty. Vast fields of ice, snowy summits glittering in the sun, and the howl of a wind that finds its way into every centimetre of your clothing all make an atmosphere you do not forget. At moments like that you feel how small you are before the scale of nature, and every instant when you manage to warm your hands or shelter from the icy wind behind a rock feels like a reward.<\/p>\n\n

Every day out on the route was a test of resilience. Winter Elbrus forgives not the slightest carelessness, and on the eve of summit day our whole team was as focused as it could be. We prepared the equipment, went over the route and checked again and again whether the kit would hold up through another night of frost.<\/p>\n\n

Summit day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

As soon as the sun rose, our group started up. The cold reached right through to the bone, and the gusts of wind sometimes made a step forward almost impossible. The temperature dropped to -25 degrees, and every breath burned the lungs. When we reached the \u201cKosaya Polka\u201d traverse the icy wind grew stronger, and some of the party felt dizzy with altitude sickness. One of the women became unwell, and a guide had to take her back down. The rest carried on, faces pressed into their masks to keep the frost off.<\/p>\n\n

An icy whirlwind met us on the summit, but no amount of cold could dim the sense of triumph. Every one of us knew this was a victory not only over the mountain but over ourselves. Winter Elbrus had been won.<\/p>\n\n

Coming down, and looking back<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The descent turned out to be no easier. The frost kept reminding us it was there, and a strong wind pushed us downwards. Even so, we could feel the severe beauty of winter Elbrus settling in us for good. Down in the valley, hot tea and warm company felt like a genuine miracle, and gave us the sense of a road completed.<\/p>\n\n

Every winter ascent of Elbrus is a story of getting through something. The mountain, severe and beautiful at once, teaches resilience, patience and mutual support. It gives us the chance to look at what we are capable of in a new way, and to value the strength of a team.<\/p>\n\n

Why winter Elbrus is worth choosing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Elbrus in winter is a test that leaves a bright mark on you. Snow-white glaciers, endless snowfields, the scale of the mountains and the struggle with the elements make a climb in this season something apart. Here you will not only meet your real self but discover strength you had no idea you had. We are proud that we can take you through this test, where frost and wind become your constant companions and the mountains reward only the most persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the same subject:<\/strong> all Elbrus routes and programmes<\/a> – when is the best time to climb Elbrus<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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What to look at next<\/h2>\n

See the programme:<\/strong> Climbing Elbrus from the south, 9 days<\/a><\/p>\n