Climb Mt. Elbrus FAQ

Here's where you'll find answers to all (or at least most) of your questions about our Mt. Elbrus trips. We'll be adding to this section frequently, so be sure to check back often. Or contact us if you can't find what you need.

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1. How much mountaineering experience do I need in order to climb Mt. Elbrus?
2. How demanding is the climb?
3. What is the food like on the trip?
4. Which kind of weather should I be expecting?
5. Why do we spend the first night in St. Petersburg
6. How much money do we need to bring?
7. How much are the overweight charges on the internal flights?
8. What about the snowcat ride that I hear some people take on summit day?
9. Do American guides take part in the actual climb all the way to the summit? Do you have assistant guides to take someone back down should they become ill upon ascent and require descent?
10. What if one or two people in the group are slower than the rest?
11. Any suggested reading I should do before taking this trip?

1. How much mountaineering experience do I need in order to climb Mt. Elbrus?

Elbrus is a glacier climb of easy to moderate difficulty. You need to have spent time walking with an ice axe, be familiar with self arrest and proper technique for walking on snow slopes up to 40 degrees. You will wear crampons during the ascent. If you have not been at altitude before, know that 18,500 feet is high enough that you will need to pay attention to your body's ability to acclimatize. Weather is a factor on an ascent of Elbrus, as it is on any big mountain. Your guides, both American and Russian, will pay close attention to weather and visibility on the summit attempt. You will gain valuable experience about dressing properly and navigating glaciers to prepare for possible loss of visibility.

2. How demanding is the climb?

Summit day is long, but we leave from huts and return to them. During the time we spend doing acclimatization and training, we hike in the mountains of the Elbrus Region. These will be rigorous day trips but we will return each night to a lodge.

3. What is the food like on the trip?

We will enjoy first-rate meals in fine restaurants and hotels in St. Petersburg and Moscow. We will eat simple but nutritious fare (lots of potatoes, great bread, soups, small portions of meat) at the lodge in the Caucasus. We will take a Russian cook when we move to the hut on Elbrus. The cook will prepare hearty, simple expedition meals. While we always provide snack and treats along the trail, if there is a particular candy bar or trail mix that you like, please bring some along for yourself.

The only things that we cannot provide in Russia are things such as Clif bars and Powerbars and specialized athletic snacks. If a Snickers bar, some peanut butter or cheese is just as fine with you, you will be happy. Otherwise we always encourage people to bring a supply of their own preferred snack food from home. If you decide to do this, keep the quantity small. You will be served lots of food by our staff and at our lodges.

4. Which kind of weather should I be expecting?

Moscow and St Petersburg are typical of other northern European cities in the summer. It can be hot in midday, but evening temperatures, especially along the Baltic Sea in St Petersburg might be cooler than most places in the U.S. Remember that there is very little darkness at 60 degrees north in summertime.

The Caucasus Mountains have classic variable mountain weather, warm in direct sunlight, cool on cloudy days and at night. You will be adjusting your layers all day as you climb and hike in the Caucasus. Elbrus summit days can be windy and cold, as well as scorching hot in still air lower on the glacier.

5. Why do we spend the first night in St. Petersburg

In our opinion no trip to Russia is complete without a visit to St. Petersburg, especially in the midsummer weeks of the “White Nights” when the city is in a festive mood to celebrate the round the clock daylight at 60 degrees north. One feels Russian and indeed world history as a tangible and living presence on these storied streets. The opportunity to visit the Hermitage and a host of historic and cultural sites is not to be missed. We also enjoy boarding the Midnight Night Train to Moscow for our journey to see Russia’s other great city and visit Red Square.

6. How much money do we need to bring?

St. Petersburg and Moscow are often more expensive than people expect. Prices here are in line with London, Scandinavian cities and in some respects, are even more expensive. Moscow has been said to be most expensive city in the world in recent years. Our approach is to put our groups in the finest locations, and then save money by being within walking distance to the sights we want to see. Nvesky Prospect and Red Square are worth it!

Once we head to the Caucasus, however, you’ll find little opportunities to spend money. Meals are all included and, beside a small souvenir or a bottle of soda pop or a beer, your cash expenditures will be low.

Expect to spend around 400 Euros, or between 500 - 600 USD in cash on your trip, including tipping local staff at the end. Some will spend less and some will spend more, but this is a good estimate. Remember that you can use credit cards in the cities, but we recommend having a good amount of cash as well. Some ATM cards might not work in Russia, check with your bank before leaving.

7. How much are the overweight charges on the internal flights?

We will be allowed 20 kilos each on the flight to Mineral Vody. We will need to include some group equipment, climbing gear and food in our total weight. We usually split the total overweight charges between BAI and the group members. The cost will not be much, typically $30 - $40 dollars per person.

8. What about the snowcat ride that I hear some people take on summit day?

While it is certainly nothing to count on, in past years we have arranged to take a snow cat from Garabashi Huts (3750m) to Pashtukov Rocks (4759m). This gets us up to the real climbing faster. The remaining long climb through the saddle and on the West Summit will not be diminished by this early morning assistance, if it is available. Each climber will already have travelled the glacier between the Huts and Pashtukov Rocks on foot at least once during his acclimatization hikes. We have not included the cost of the snow cat ride in the trip, because it may not be available and some climbers may prefer not to use it.

9. Do American guides take part in the actual climb all the way to the summit? Do you have assistant guides to take someone back down should they become ill upon ascent and require descent?

The American Guide is responsible for the pace and overall strategy of the climb. Russian guides and assistant guides may be available to help escort someone if they turn back before the summit. We adapt to the demands of each summit day differently, but you will have the support of experienced guides who know the route well throughout your climb.

10. What if one or two people in the group are slower than the rest?

Our Elbrus summit teams usually do not arrive on the summit at the same time. This is because we travel in smaller groups based on individual pace. There is no need to worry about “will I be the slowest”, or “will someone hold me back?”

11. Any suggested reading I should do before taking this trip?

Knowledge about a country’s history, language and culture greatly increases the traveler’s experience. Even the smallest bits of information on language and culture can open many doors and allow diverse communication between guest and host. Please refer to the "Reading List" page for our recommended reading.