Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
June 26, 2010 – Clear Skies, A Great Hike and Some Shopping!
Today dawned perfectly clear. After yesterday's long day hiking and climbing it seemed the thing to do was reach our acclimatizing altitude partly by chairlift today. We went to the Cheget ski area to begin our climb. Two chairlift ride took us up and allowed spectacular views of Mount Elbrus and the Caucasus mountains. Once we reached the top of the chairs, we hiked and climbed up snow to our high point for the trip so far, 11,400ft/3,475m.
After our climb we rode the chairs back down and discovered that the Cheget base area is a wonderful place for shopping. In the still clear afternoon skies we purchased local handicrafts, maps for our climb and we even visited a great mountaineering shop for last minute items for our Elbrus climb.
What a way to start the day. View of the twin summits of Elbrus from the Cheget chair lift.
Linda and Paule riding up in the clear mountain air.
The scenery all around us was spectacular as we rode up.
We are here for Elbrus, but the views of the other big peaks of the Caucasus inspire us.
From the top chair we climbed higher.
Our high point for the day!
Later, back at the base area, it was time to shop!
Mo, Bill and Tom were interested in maps of the region.
Linda and Paule enjoyed bargaining and laughing with the shopkeepers.
Tom is proud of his purchase.
Paule and Linda show the spoils of their bargaining to Karina.
Tom and Bill like kids in a candy store in the mountaineering shop.