Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
June 23, 2009 – Leaving the City Behind
We left the Ararat Park Hyatt bound for Sheremetyevo Airport at 6:00 AM and the Moscow streets were quiet this early. The morning light reflected on St. Basil Cathedral in the Red Square. It is an international symbol for Russia and Moscow.
Team with Larissa, one of our Moscow city tour guides at Sheremetyevo Airport
Our flight arrives with the team in Mineralnye Vody
Karina Mezova has been working as a mountain guide with Berg Adventures on many Elbrus climbs
Then we found ourselves in a different world – the countryside of rural Russia. Here we stopped to get some refreshments at a roadside produce stand
The colorful and simple life of the local people quickly showed us how far away we are from the city
Left: Steve Rossi picks out his lunch!
Right: John banks went for a run soon after we arrived
The people of the Caucasus are warm and welcoming. Jackie and this woman shared smiles
We finally arrive at our lodge in the mountains
At 7:00 pm we met for dinner in the lodge dining room. What a long day and what great day – we will sleep well tonight!