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Title image - BAI takes you to: Mt.Elbrus
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Elbrus Expedition Dispatch

June 28, 2016 – We Made to the Mountains

So much has happened in the past two days that is almost hard to describe. After a long day in St. Petersburg our team boarded the Grand Express Midnight Train to Moscow.

Being the only privately owned train in Russia, the Grand Express is really a unique experience; their car interiors are quite unique, distinguished by its bright colors and exclusive design.

They pulled out at 11:45 pm, 8 minutes earlier than scheduled. It was a bit of a mad scramble to get everyone on but we made it. Drinks in the bar car helped us relax before turning in for sleep.

We arrived at Leningrad station in Moscow at 8:02 am, and were at the Hyatt by 8:45. The rooms were ready! Red Square and the Kremlin waited or us.

The Moscow day on Monday ended with and excellent meal at Bolshoi Restaurant. Vodka served with pickles as after dinner digestifs.

Tuesday morning we met for breakfast at the Hyatt at 8:30; Larissa was already standing in line to hold a place for us at Lenin’s Mausoleum. Back at the hotel we said goodby to Brad, who will be staying in Moscow for two more days and the travelling on to Helsinki.

We did a little better with our timing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, we were checked in and through security in time for a lunch at the Irish Pub before boarding our flight to Mineralnye Vody.

We got to our lodge at 10:30 pm. Yes it is raining in the Caucasus the past few days. Tomorrow will hike to begin our acclimatization and we expect to reach snow at a much lower level than we normally do.

Boarding the Grand Express

Boarding the Grand Express

Our private sleeping quarters

Our private sleeping quarters

Great Service on the Grand Express to Moscow from Saint Petersburg – John was our new attendant!

Great Service on the Grand Express to Moscow from Saint Petersburg – John was our new attendant!

The Red Square is always a great hit with our group. They stayed at the Park Hyatt in Moscow which is located right next to it!

The Red Square is always a great hit with our group. They stayed at the Park Hyatt in Moscow which is located right next to it!

From the top floor of the Hyatt we have great views of the Red Square.

From the top floor of the Hyatt we have great views of the Red Square.

The team had dinner at the beautiful Bolshoi Restaurant, walking distance from our hotel

The team had dinner at the beautiful Bolshoi Restaurant, walking distance from our hotel

It is raining and dark now, but this is above us somewhere.  We hope to see Elbrus soon!

It is raining and dark now, but this is above us somewhere. We hope to see Elbrus soon!