Elbrus Expedition Dispatch

July 3, 2013 – A Great First Day on the Mountain

We are calling today from 3,100m. Right now we are at the observatory, above the village of Terskol in the Caucasus Mountains. The observatory is used by astronomers and researchers from all over the world and we love it here because it is a beautiful way to acclimatize.

We started climbing at 2,200m and have climbed in total 900m today and the team did great! The rain that we anticipated was not bad and we could look through the mist and clouds and see the beautiful glaciers. There is cascading water falling down the slopes of the mountain and we stopped and had lunch near this beautiful waterfall at about 2,800m.

It is so interesting to think about all the history that has taken place on this mountain. Today we see people passing us on the trails in full running gear, people getting ready to climb higher on the mountain, people just enjoying the area. Yet Vladimir was explaining how about 4 years ago on the route from where we stopped today at the observatory going across to the Garabashi (the Barrel’s) a spot was found on a melting glacier where a young group of Soviet fighters were completely annihilated by the Germans. To think of such interesting history taking place on the very trail we are hiking along today is truly amazing.

I want to report the whole team, Tim, Terri, Margaret, Rafael and of course the three amigos from Vancouver Robert, Gordon, and Chuck are doing great. They all look good and have a nice slow and steady pace. We are going to take it nice and slow and we are going to acclimatize in a proper manner to go higher. The guides are Vladimir K (Vasia) and Vladimir B, and of course Karina down in the valley giving us a lot of support. Our guides have been with Berg Adventures for many trips and it’s great to be back with the team!