Elbrus Expedition Dispatch

July 14, 2016 – Our First Trip to the Barrels

It was another bluebird day in the Caucasus Mountains today - perfectly clear skies.

We rode the gondolas to 12,400 feet, then we walked a short distance to the location of our shelter on this trip - the rectangular blue shelters that are located at 12,600 feet.

After checking out our Barrels, we ascended to an elevation of 13,200 feet to the site of the Refuge 11 shelter. The snow, weather and conditions were beautiful for our first walk on Mount Elbrus.