I had dreamed of climbing Elbrus for a very long time, and at last the chance came to make that dream real. After years of keeping fit, trying to hold my weight steady and taking part in various walking trips and outdoor events, I met a climbing instructor who turned out to be a real professional and who invited me to a training camp. That camp took place in the Caucasus, where I experienced real mountaineering for the first time and earned my first grade.<\/p>\n\n
At one of these events the instructor suggested I join a climb of Elbrus. There were only a couple of months to prepare, but turning down a chance like that was impossible. I read everything I could about Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe and one of the hardest peaks to climb, where accidents happen every year. We decided to make the climb of Elbrus from the north<\/a>, which is harder but where the route is entirely on foot, without using the cable car as you do on the south side. To organise the climb we chose Mountain Guide, on the recommendation of friends.<\/p>\n\n The route was full of glaciers, crevasses up to 200 metres deep and the Lenz Rocks, where the climb stretched over 700 metres. Acclimatisation turned out to be the most important part of the preparation, helping the body get used to the mountains and reducing the risk of altitude sickness. Gradual ascents and descents prepared me for the summit push.<\/p>\n\n I trained hard from the start: running, the gym, days out on our local hills, including a climb of Oshten (2804 metres). I also gave up smoking to improve my physical condition. In two months of preparation I improved my results considerably.<\/p>\n\n The day of departure came. My rucksack weighed 36 kilograms, and our group of 15 set off for base camp at the Emmanuel meadow, the historic place from which Elbrus was first climbed in 1829. Several days of acclimatisation climbs lay ahead before the main summit push. The Caucasus was strikingly beautiful, and the atmosphere of mountaineering was impossible to miss.<\/p>\n\n On one of the ascents fog and rain had their say, but we carried on anyway. Reaching the rescue base, we enjoyed hot tea, which at that moment seemed the best drink in the world.<\/p>\n\n Preparing for a climb of Elbrus takes psychological work as much as physical. Every day in the mountains is a new test of endurance, and every obstacle is a chance to harden your character. I understood that climbing Elbrus is not simply a physical test but a struggle with your own fears and limits.<\/p>\n\n After completing the acclimatisation routes we moved up towards the high camp, from which the final climb to the summit of Elbrus was to begin. That moment was anxious and hugely uplifting at the same time. Ahead lay the way to the summit, at 5642 metres, and every step brought us closer to that long-held goal.<\/p>\n\n The night before the climb I could barely sleep, running every possible scenario through my head. We started early in the morning and began moving towards the summit, gaining height steadily. Every step was hard, especially because of the thin air. Altitude sickness, which I had read so much about, began to show: a light headache and general weakness, but the wish to reach the goal was stronger than any of it.<\/p>\n\n As we climbed higher the landscapes became more and more striking. Snow-white summits stretching into the distance, icy winds and imposing rock made us feel completely at one with nature. With every minute, though, the tests grew more serious: the wind strengthened, the temperature fell and there was less and less oxygen. But we kept moving forward.<\/p>\n\n When the eastern summit of Elbrus appeared on the horizon, my strength seemed to come back. The whole way behind us, all the training, the effort and the obstacles overcome, had brought me to this moment. The final metres of the climb were the hardest, but the moment I stepped onto the summit the tiredness retreated and gave way to a sense of triumph.<\/p>\n\n I was standing on the summit of Elbrus, the highest point in Europe. In that moment all the difficulties I had come through seemed trivial beside the scale of this mountain. A panorama of the Caucasus mountains spread out ahead, and I felt enormous pride in myself and in my team. We had done it.<\/p>\n\n Climbing Elbrus became for me not just a sporting achievement but a personal victory over myself. This experience will stay in my heart for ever, as proof that nothing is impossible if you believe in your own strength and keep going.<\/p>\n\n As soon as everyone in our group had finished the climb of Elbrus, we ate with pleasure and went off to enjoy the mountain scenery around us. Coming back to camp we were soaked through, but that did nothing to spoil our good mood. The next day was declared a rest day, which gave us the chance to dry our things and prepare for the next stage of the climb: moving camp up to 3800 metres.<\/p>\n\n On the second day, despite wanting to rest, we could not resist the chance to walk one more short route. In a couple of hours we climbed 600 metres and covered 15 kilometres, taking a great many beautiful photographs on the way. As on the previous days, the rain caught us again.<\/p>\n\n On the third day the weather finally gave us some sunshine. We were full of enthusiasm to carry on with the climb of Elbrus. By 10 in the morning we were ready to leave, and our rucksacks weighed about 30 kilograms, since besides personal things and food we had group equipment to carry. The route consisted of four climbs, the first of which led to the German airfield. Despite the tiredness I managed to walk without stopping, although I ended up at the back of the group. At the next stop, though, I set off first and decided not to fall behind again. The second climb was the longest and hardest, but happily I felt confident and managed to stay in the middle of the group.<\/p>\n\n When we reached base camp, the hardest part for me was the last 300 to 400 metres, even though the base hut was already in sight. My body seemed to decide the goal had already been reached, but there was still the way to the tent site ahead. The evening in camp was cheerful despite what the weather was doing: first thick fog, then rain, hail and snow. When we woke in the night the sky was clear and astonishingly beautiful.<\/p>\n\n On the fourth day acclimatisation lay ahead, an important stage in preparing for the climb of Elbrus. We planned to go up to the Lenz Rocks. The weather favoured us again, and at 9 in the morning we started the climb. In our rucksacks were the things we needed for the summit push: down jacket, water, food, ropes, crampons and safety equipment. Two members of the group unfortunately stayed in camp because they were unwell, but four of us carried on up. Passing the crevasse zone at 4300 metres, we crossed several large crevasses marked by the rescuers. We met solo climbers along the way, and every time we looked into a crevasse we understood the dangers hidden on this route.<\/p>\n\n When we reached the turning rock, part of the group took off their rucksacks, but I carried on, persuading the instructor to give us a little more time to climb freely. In an hour I reached the lower Lenz Rocks at about 4500 metres, and then went up another 200 metres. Later the others joined me, although one of them only made it as far as the lower rocks. Back in camp the instructor told us that the climb of Elbrus might not go ahead, since in his opinion the group was not ready. That came as a shock to me, because I was one of the two members considered sufficiently prepared.<\/p>\n\n On the fifth day, despite the rest, the weather went on testing us. I decided to spend the day with a book, to relax and build up strength before the climb ahead. At midnight we were due to set out for the decisive climb of Elbrus, and by 11 in the evening we had to be ready.<\/p>\n\n On the fifth day of the climb of Elbrus we all felt slightly on edge and full of anticipation, since the most important and most difficult stage lay ahead: the attempt to climb Elbrus. The instructor set departure for midnight, and this was the decisive moment for the whole team. In the evening we tried to rest a little and get to sleep early, to build up strength before the night climb.<\/p>\n\n Climbing Elbrus at night is a particular test. The temperature falls considerably and the wind grows stronger. But night climbs have their advantages too: the air is cooler, and that makes the physical effort at altitude easier to bear. Our group was determined, even though some members still doubted their own strength. Before setting out we checked all the equipment \u2014 crampons, ice axes, ropes \u2014 and got ready for the climb.<\/p>\n\n When we began the climb of Elbrus, night had already covered the mountains in thick darkness. Our only reference points were the stars overhead and the light of the torches, which pulled the icy paths out of the dark. Every step demanded concentration: ahead of us were glaciers, crevasses and rocky slopes. We moved slowly but steadily, trying to keep an even rhythm.<\/p>\n\n As we climbed higher, tiredness set in. The air grew thinner and breathing became difficult. Some members of the group began to show the first signs of altitude sickness: dizziness, weakness, breathlessness. But we kept going, supporting each other, because the goal \u2014 climbing Elbrus \u2014 was already so close.<\/p>\n\n As we approached the critical heights, around 5000 metres, the gusts of wind strengthened and the temperature fell sharply. We were on the last stage of the climb, where every step was a test of endurance. But nobody wanted to stop. The silence of the night, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot, gave the climb of Elbrus its particular atmosphere. The summit seemed unreachable, but after several hours of effort the horizon finally opened up in front of us.<\/p>\n\n When the first light of morning touched the snowy slopes, we saw the long-awaited summit ahead. This was the moment we had walked towards for all those days. Climbing Elbrus had become real. A sense of victory and joy filled us. Standing on the summit, I felt not only physical satisfaction but deep spiritual pleasure. It was a moment that will stay with me for ever.<\/p>\n\n The view from 5642 metres opened up a panorama of the imposing Caucasus mountains, endless snowfields and endless sky. We stood at the highest point in Europe, understanding that we had reached our goal despite all the difficulties. Climbing Elbrus is more than a mountaineering achievement. It is a test of endurance, a trial of stamina and a victory over your own fears.<\/p>\n\n After a short rest on the summit we began the descent. It was no less difficult than the climb, since our legs were already refusing to work and the tiredness came back with new force. Inside us, though, the sense of victory burned, and that gave us strength. We came down to camp exhausted but incredibly happy. Climbing Elbrus became for each of us not only a physical feat but a personal triumph.<\/p>\n\n On the day after our successful climb of Elbrus we had a little rest ahead of us, but the emotions did not settle. Climbing Elbrus had become the main event of our lives, and each of us felt like a winner. Tiredness gradually gave way to a feeling of pride and satisfaction. We talked over the details of the climb and shared impressions, each of us remembering the hardest moments and how we had come through them. For many of us this climb became a real test of endurance and strength of spirit.<\/p>\n\n Every climb of Elbrus is a unique experience. It is impossible to prepare completely for what waits for you at that height. The weather can change at any minute, and you have to adapt to the new conditions. I remember how a strong wind got up halfway, one that literally knocked you off your feet. At moments like that the main thing is not to lose concentration and to keep moving forward, even if every step is hard.<\/p>\n\n After the summit we had to cross all the icy crevasses and stony slopes again on the way down. A descent always brings mixed feelings: on the one hand you have reached your goal, on the other there is still a long way to go. But when familiar landmarks appear in front of you again, you understand that the hardest part is behind you. The camp met us with warmth and comfort, and although the weather was still unkind, the satisfaction inside outweighed everything.<\/p>\n\n In the evening we gathered round the fire, shared stories and planned our next trips. For many of us climbing Elbrus was only the beginning of more serious mountaineering adventures. Climbing Elbrus is like overcoming yourself, proving that you are capable of more. But ahead of each of us were new summits, already drawing us on precisely because they were out of reach.<\/p>\n\n On the sixth day in the mountains the rest let us recover. The weather began to improve, and we enjoyed the views of the imposing Caucasus that opened up in front of us. In the evening we started discussing possible plans for the future again. Every member of the climb felt that there were no barriers ahead of them now. Someone wanted to test themselves on other Caucasus summits, someone else dreamed of the Himalayas. Climbing Elbrus gave us all a powerful charge of confidence.<\/p>\n\n At that moment I understood that climbing Elbrus is not just a physical test. It is a journey to new horizons, inner as well as outer. With every step, with every obstacle overcome, you learn to understand yourself better, your weaknesses and your strengths. The summit is a symbol not only of victory over the mountain but of victory over yourself.<\/p>\n\n After our climb I felt that I had become stronger not only physically but psychologically. Now I knew for certain: if I could climb Elbrus, then I can handle any difficulty that comes my way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to move from general information to choosing a format, compare the routes and the current programmes on the page \u201cClimbing Elbrus\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n See the programme:<\/strong> Climbing Elbrus from the south, 9 days<\/a><\/p>\n I had dreamed of climbing Elbrus for a very long time, and at last the chance came to make that dream real. After years of keeping fit, trying to hold my weight steady and taking part in various walking trips and outdoor events, I met a climbing instructor who turned out to be a real […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14084,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to read next<\/h2>\n