Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
June 25, 2009 – Second Acclimatization Day is a Long One
By design we try to do easy day / hard day rotations while we are preparing our bodies for the ascent of Mount Elbrus.
Today we had the same clear Caucasus sky - absolutely perfect weather and the same lush mountain meadows and alpine scenery about.
Today we climbed higher and did a total ascent of more than 4,000 feet. Our day began at Narzan, the natural hot spring area where local people from the Elbrus region come to get drinking water for their homes. We climbed up a steep forest trail directly from the hot springs. It was a challenging beginning. After about 1 1/2 hours we reached a basin where the high peaks above and the snow that we would climb on became visible.
Our goal was a ridge on Kakhiany Peak. It took us until 4:30 in the afternoon, but we finally reached our high point at 10,700 feet. The view was spectacular.
We made it back to Narzan after 7:00 PM. The familiar face of our driver was a welcomed sight. Leila, the hotel manager had sent word that she was going to keep the sauna open late for us... Not a bad way to end a day that had left our leg muscles weary.
The forest trail was steep as we started out
Left: As we climbed higher the basin opened up and view was awesome
Right: Steve W in the high alpine
Our first view of Elbrus
Terri and Karina
Vladimir and John talking about climbing at a break
Steve B is full of smiles
Jackie, Carol, Terri and David going up the snow
Nearing our high point the sky was still blue!