Elbrus Expedition Dispatch
July 4, 2013 – A Hike Up the Irik River Valley and Preparing Our Equipment to Go High on Elbrus
After breakfast in our Lodge, we left for a day of hiking at the same time as yesterday. By 9:40 we were out of our bus in the small local village of Elbrus. From town we hiked up the lovey green mountain valley that is call Irik. After yesterday’s hike our legs were a bit stiff, so it was good to stretch them out again. We had lunch in a beautiful soft grass area beneath large trees, with the water of the Irik River rushing below.
Our thoughts are already turning to the goal of this trip to the Caucasus Mountains, our team's ascent of Mount Elbrus. Both Vladimir’s and Wally took turns telling stories of their many many ascents of Elbrus, good conditions and bad. By the time we'd finished lunch everyone’s mind was on gear. We walked back down the trail where we were met by our driver in the Elbrus town. After a brief visit here we went back to our hotel rooms and the guides visited the rooms one by one to do a "gear check".
We still had plenty of time in the late afternoon to visit two mountaineering shops nearby, one specializing in rental gear and one selling both new gear and rentals. The big theme for shopping today was Thermos's. After watching the three guides drink hot tea from their Thermos’ every day several members of our team decided to buy one. We also had some team members rent bigger mittens and Rob bought a new pair of (red) insulated pants.
It was back to our hotel for what has become a nice afternoon routine. The saunas are ready at 5:00 PM every day and we have dinner served at 7:00. I think everyone will sleep well tonight, a bit of exercise and the peace of mind that comes from preparation. We have two more nights in the Valley before we move up on Elbrus and we are getting better prepared each day.
Our trail took us high above the small farming village of Elbrus.
It was beautiful walking along green pastures and through forests.
Rafael along the trail
We quickly climbed the trail into remote and quiet forest glades.
As we looked behind us we could see across to the spectacular high peaks of the Caucasus coming and going through the clouds. We were walking in a misty rain much of today, with a much harder rain impending.
As we got higher the trail crossed steep rock and dirt slopes; Tim and Terri traverse to the higher forest above.
After lunch it was time to descend back down to Elbrus Village.
This area is hard to describe! Extremely poor and people lead simple and hard lives, but someone got a brand new Poma cover ski lift car to use for a shop.
We found these two ladies selling their hand knitted items.
Wally got a new hat!
Later we visited the mountaineering shops.
It was raining as we visited the mountaineering stores. There was a short walk between the two, but Margaret is always prepared with her umbrella.
The was a lot of equipment available inside.
Margaret helps Tim try on a new pack to check for fit.
Vladimir and the shop owner discuss the qualities of a pair of gloves.
One of the shops offered free coffee to their shoppers. Terri was pleased to grab a cup!
Margaret found an Elbrus t-shirt that she likes!
Rob taking it easy outside the mountaineering shop