{"id":37424,"date":"2020-01-15T14:05:16","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T11:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mountainguides.pro\/?p=37424"},"modified":"2026-09-10T16:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:11:22","slug":"second-climb-of-mount-elbrus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mountainguides.pro\/hi\/2020\/01\/15\/second-climb-of-mount-elbrus\/","title":{"rendered":"Never give up, or how I climbed Elbrus the second time"},"content":{"rendered":"

This happened in 2018. That was when I decided to test myself on a mountain trip. My goal was the summit of Elbrus itself. It was not my first attempt on the highest point in Europe. The first time, as often happens, was a failure. The cause was unfavourable weather. As the saying goes, the mountain did not want to \u201clet us through\u201d. That is not unusual, so when you plan a climb it is important to understand that anything can happen, even if you are completely ready physically and emotionally. A great deal will depend on your luck.<\/p>\n\n

This time we decided to try going up from the south. Anyone who takes that way starts, as is well known, from the village of Terskol. The altitude here is impressive: 2100 metres. It has to be said that this famous village has fairly well-developed infrastructure. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, and a number of sports shops. If you want to, you can call in at a mountaineering hire shop and order everything you need. On top of that, this is where you will find the rescue and control service, the cable cars and the sports centre. Anyone without the strength to walk up Mount Cheget can use a more comfortable method. The mountain owes its fame to its popular ski runs. If you feel like it and do not think you have the strength to walk up, take the cable car onto the slopes of Elbrus. It will carry you in comfort to 3800 metres. If the summit is still the goal, from there you walk.<\/p>\n\n

Climbing Elbrus: tours, prices, reviews<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Our group was not very large, though you could not call it small either. About 15 people. The ages of those in the group, mine included, were middling, from 25 to 45. As for how long we were in the mountains, including the travelling it came to roughly 12 to 14 days, no more. Cooks took care of the food.<\/p>\n\n

On our second day after arriving in Terskol we had an acclimatisation walk towards the \u201cMaiden’s Braids\u201d waterfall. We went light, and after that came the climb to a summit at 4200 metres. All of it took us about three days. I remember well how we moved roped together across the glacier during that time. On our return to camp a new acclimatisation walk was set. Our next objective was the start of the Kosaya Polka. Altitude: 5000 metres. That is the stretch where the path rises unhurriedly and gradually leads out onto the saddle of Elbrus itself. Fortunately our new acclimatisation went well and we felt a surge of strength, which meant that victory lay ahead. By the evening, though, everyone’s mood had soured. The reason was the whims of the weather. Our team had to sit it out in camp for a whole day. In the end three of the party gave up the summit attempt. Doubt and fear had the upper hand. But I stayed confident in myself and in my luck. All the more so as this was my second attempt. Later we \u201clost\u201d another climber. They suddenly became unwell and the guides decided to send them down by cable car. All the rest of us were in good heart, full of energy and of the wish to get up Elbrus after all.<\/p>\n\n

I remember the excellent visibility as though it were now. The moonlight was so bright that you could quite easily walk without a torch. Once we were past the 4800 metre mark we felt a piercing, strong wind. The air temperature at that point was minus ten, or perhaps a full fifteen. It was cold enough for frostbite. At one moment some of the party even took their boots off and rubbed their feet.<\/p>\n\n

We were standing on the Kosaya Polka by six in the morning. Fortunately the sun came out and it grew warmer, which cheered everyone. We all warmed up a little, but our rate of climb got worse. The altitude was making itself felt. We stopped often, because walking had become harder. Taking it slowly, step after step, we did reach the saddle. The altitude here is considerable: 5300 metres. And we could feel it clearly at the time. Our group decided to take a rest at that point. One more person decided to end their climb there. We went back down to camp by the route we had come up. The next day we descended to the cable-car station and were soon in Terskol.<\/p>\n\n

For me this climb of Mount Elbrus was a success.<\/p>\n\n

I am pleased with myself, because although it was not at the first attempt, I did manage to fulfil my dream of going up to the highest point in Europe. What did I feel then, standing on the summit of Elbrus? Tiredness, and with it a genuine joy. The goal had been reached and none of it had been for nothing. I am capable of a great deal in this life, and luck is often on my side. I came to believe in myself, and in what people can do, more than ever. And I am very glad that the mountain did let me through and that I made another of my dreams come true.<\/p>\n\n

Beyond that, a word to everyone who is still only planning a climb: it will not be easy, but it is possible if you want it enough. No experience? Then go with a guide, in a group, and prepare yourself physically and mentally beforehand. Better still, consult a doctor before the climb.<\/p>\n\n

As for me, by the time I set out to climb Elbrus I already had some climbing experience. But since it amounted to only two mountains, I considered it insufficient for going alone. There are too many risks along the way.<\/p>\n\n

I do of course want to describe all the beauty I was lucky enough to see on the way. Mountains really do have an atmosphere of their own, a contact with nature you get nowhere else, when you feel life at its fullest. So if you have a dream of standing on the summit of Elbrus, put your doubts aside and do what you can to make it happen.<\/p>\n\n

All our Elbrus tours<\/a>.<\/p>\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