Elbrus Traverse South to North

Height (m): 5642
Duration: 9 days
Difficulty: Low
Continent: Europe
Children: From 14 years old
Accomodation: Without tents

Why should you choose us to guide your Elbrus South to North traverse? First off, because you are going to entrust our guides to care for your very own life and health. Unfortunately, accidents do happen in the mountains, and having reliable people to safeguard and take care of you is crucial. Our hotel and our refuge on Elbrus slope – along with our own equipment and outfit rental (the newest and biggest on Elbrus foothill) – are all designed to provide for your high profile and safe rest. All expeditions mentioned in Schedule and Services section are available upon request if 2 people are in the group. We offer also programs for family vacation – rest and recreation for your family members while you are busy climbing Mount Elbrus.

Important information:

Any exit from the shelter on the day of the ascent is an attempt.
For foreign citizens, if necessary, we make guest invitations to our tours

About the tour

Any of the ascents of Elbrus from the south can be turned into a traverse of Elbrus from south to north. However, only within the framework of this program we guarantee you the cost of a group traverse, even if you are in a group alone. Any other “southern” tour to Elbrus outside of this program can also be made with a descent to the north, however, the cost of additional logistics and a guide will fall entirely on your shoulders.

The traverse of Elbrus from south to north is a fairly simple ascent that allows you to acclimatize comfortably and with sufficient quality and, at the same time, look at Elbrus from all sides, feel what walking in bundles is and what a long, long day is (although if you “cut” the southern part of the snowmobile to 5100m, then the day will be very simple). However, you need to be confident in your abilities, because you will not have to count on the help of technology from the North side of Elbrus.

We strongly recommend watching a lecture by our most experienced Elbrus guide about Elbrus.

9-day Schedule for a Guided Elbrus South to North Traverse.

Day 1. Arrival at MRV airport. Departure from the airport at 12: 00-12:30 pm for all arrivals on flights before 11:30 pm. Departure from the airport at 15: 15-15: 30 pm for all arrivals before 14:45 pm. Moving 200 km (3 hours) transfer to the hotel. The hotel of the system is at the beginning of the hundred-kilometer valley of the Baksan River, almost on the very slope of Elbrus. Gathering for dinner and instructing the group.
Day 2. Acclimatization hike to Cheget. Descent on foot to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. The climb is 1100m. 11 km.
Day 3. Morning acclimatization hike to Maid’s Braids waterfall (at 2700m) and further on, to the observatory (at 3100m). Overnight at the hotel. The climb is 1200m. 13 km.
Day 4. We take the cable car up to the shelter 3888m, we are accommodated. After a light lunch-snack – acclimatization exit to a height of 4100m. Overnight at the hut. Climb 212m. 2km.
Day 5. An acclimatization hike to Pastukhov’s Rocks (at 4700m). Overnight at the hut. The climb is 812m. 6 km.
Day 6. Rest day. Final preparations for summiting Elbrus. Overnight at the hut.
Day 7. Summiting Mt. Elbrus (5642m), with an early start (at 2–4 AM) and possible use of a Snowcat. The proportion of guides and clients is strictly 1:3. Descent to a hut on the northern side. Overnight at the hut.
Day 8. Reserve day. Descent to Emanuel glade, transfer to Mineralnye Vody.
Day 9. Departure to the airport, we recommend evening flights, so that in case. after a late descent on day 8, you had the opportunity to arrive at Mineralnye Vody on day 9 in the morning.

To give you peace of mind, the package tours we offer, as a rule, include all expenses you may face.

Included in the cost of Elbrus South to North Traverse:

Mountain guides: one leading guide for the program of Elbrus South to North traverse and several assistants for the day of summiting, with a strict proportion of 1 guide per three climbers. This means that if there are four clients in a group, there will be two guides for them. We have no limitation of attempts for the group to summit. However, if part of the group made it to the summit while some members failed to, summiting is considered successful, and any additional attempts are made for additional payment.
Services of a cook.
Hotel with accommodation in double rooms. Duration of stay depends on the schedule.
Accommodation in huts. Duration of stay depends on the schedule of Elbrus climb.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary (including lifts) – from and to airport / station.
Meals three times a day throughout the trip. Dinner on the first day, breakfast – on the last.
Breakfast in Mineralnye Vody
All required permits and registrations.
Equipment for the group (ropes, ice screws, radios, first aid set, satellite navigators/GPS).
Rent a duffel bug for rental and personal equipment during the ascent.

Not included in the cost of Elbrus South to North Traverse:

Snowcat on the day of ascent
Single accommodation
Early check-in/late check-out from the hotel before/after the program (we always try to negotiate with our partners about additional bonuses for our guests, often we are allowed early check-in/late check-out for free)
Personal equipment
Any deviations from the program
Lunch and dinner in Mineralnye Vody
Any costs associated with program changes