Elbrus Traverse South to North, two summits

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

Climbing Elbrus: all tours Why should you go to Elbrus with us? First of all, these are our guides and only our guides — people who will protect your life and health. Unfortunately, accidents continue to happen even in some commercial groups. Secondly, this is our twenty-fourth season of work on Elbrus and every step is honed as well as possible. Thirdly, it is with us that you will most likely have to go to more serious mountains later, so wouldn't it be better to try us from the very beginning for strength and quality? All expeditions indicated in the "dates and prices" section will be conducted by 2 participants in the group. We are also ready to organize a family vacation for your family so that no one gets bored while you are busy climbing. Important information:

Check-in and check-out time is regulated by the hotel: check-in from 15 o'clock, check-out from the hotel until 11-12 o'clock. You can leave your luggage at the hotel reception and walk around the area, or, if technically possible, pay extra for early check-in/late check-out.
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

The “Cross of Elbrus” is a complicated version of the Elbrus Climb from the South and the Elbrus Climb from the North. It consists of climbing to both summits on one side of the mountain and descending on the opposite side. This is one of the most famous routes, which allows you to test your abilities before attempting higher peaks.
The “cross” of Elbrus can be climbed from north to south (more difficult) or from south to north. It is also possible to climb to the east summit of Elbrus and descend from there by three different routes – the Motorcycle Col (a Land Rover that was taken up there in 1997 is still there), along the rock of Elbrus Saddle (the western slope of the east summit of Elbrus) or on the south side (the easiest route).
We can recommend climbing the Elbrus “cross” as a training program for climbing Lenin Peak, Korjenevskoj Peak, Khan-Tengry, Island Peak, Mera Peak, Aconcagua and Ojos del Salado. It is possible to plan an overnight stay in tents on the Elbrus saddle.

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

9-day schedule of a guided climb of the South Elbrus Cross

Day 1. Arrival at MRV Airport. Departure from the airport at 12:00-12:15 for all arrivals on flights before 23:30. Departure from the airport at 15:15-15: 30 for all arrivals before 14:45. Transfer 200 km (3 hours) to the hotel. The hotel of the system is located at the beginning of the hundred-kilometre valley of the Baksan river, almost on the very slope of Elbrus. Gathering for dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2. Acclimatisation hike to Cheget. Descent on foot to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Acclimatisation hike to Maid’s Braids waterfall (2700m) and on to the observatory (3100m). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4. Take a lift up to the hut and setting up the camp. After a snack, acclimatisation hike to 4400m, to the lower part of Pastukhov’s Rocks. Overnight at the hut.
Day 5. An acclimatisation hike to Pastukhov’s Rocks (4700m). Overnight at the hut.
Day 6. Rest day. Final preparations for the Elbrus summit. Overnight at the hut.
Day 7. Climb to the west summit of Elbrus (5642m) and to the east summit of Elbrus (5621m). The order of the summits can be changed by agreement between the guide and the group. The condition of the route on the summit day is also important. An early start at 2-4 a.m. allows the use of the snowcat. The ratio of client to guide is always 1:3. Descent to a hut in the north. Overnight at the hut.
Day 8. Reserve day. Descent to the Emmanuel clearing. Transfer to Mineralnye Vody. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9. Departure to the airport, we recommend evening flights, so that in case of a late descent on day 8, you have the opportunity to arrive in Min.Vody in the morning of day 9.

Included in the cost of the Climb "Cross of Elbrus":

Guides: one lead guide for the South to North Elbrus program and several assistants for the day of the summit, with a strict ratio of one guide to three climbers. This means that if there are four clients in a group, there will be two guides for them. There is no limit to the number of attempts the group can make. However, if part of the group reaches the summit and some members fail, the ascent will be considered successful and any further attempts will be made for an additional fee.
Services of a cook.
Hotel accommodation in double rooms. Length of stay depends on the timetable. Be careful — check out of the hotel in Mineralnye Vody before 12:00
Accommodation in huts. Duration of stay depends on the schedule of the Elbrus ascent.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary (including lifts) – from and to the airport/station.
Meals three times a day throughout the trip before Mineralnye Vody. Dinner on the first day, breakfast on the last day.
Breakfast in Mineralnye Vody.
All necessary permits and registrations.
Equipment for the group (ropes, ice screws, radios, first aid kit, satellite navigator/GPS).
Rent a duffel bag for rental and personal equipment during the ascent.

This is not included in the cost of the Climb to the "Cross of Elbrus".

Snowcat on summit day
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 changes to the original itinerary
Lunches and dinners in Mineralnye Vody
Any costs caused by the changing of the programs