MT. ELBRUS EXPEDITION, RUSSIAThe highest mountain of Europe in Caucasus Range

With an elevation of 18,510 ft, Mt. Elbrusin the Caucasus Range, stands tallest inthe European continent and is one of theSeven Summits.

Guardian Giripremi Institute ofMountaineering conducted its first everElbrus expedition during Aug 2016 andon the eve of Independence Day, theteam flattered tricolour on ElbrusSummit.

Giripremi’s Everesters guidance fortraining, paramount safety & properacclimatization makes the expedition amemorable one.

A 10 day itinerary via south route involves3 acclimatization treks in three differentvalleys. Early morning you have a heartybreakfast at your hotel and then set out for4-5 hrs hiking through the valleys in andaround Elbrus region. You either carrypacked lunch or the Cafe’s on Cheget peaktreat your taste buds with mouth wateringBalakrian Delicacy.

Next two days are spent on Elbrus, whereyou acclimatize on higher altitudes till4300 m and learn how to manoeuvre onsnow and ice with ice ax/poles andcrampon.

Then comes the most important daywhen you leave for the summit earlymorning. 14-16 hrs of strenuous yetrewarding trek takes you to the top ofEurope!The summit euphoria just can’t beexpressed in words. You must experienceit.

EXPEDITION AT GLANCE

DAYWISE ITINERARY

Day Programme Stay

1Arrive in Mineralnye Vody airport. Drive ( 3 hours) by private vehicle to hotel in the Baksan Valley in Mt Elbrus area (2100 m.)

Hotel

2 Trek to Irik-chat Valley (2600 m.) Hotel

3 Trek to Cheget Peak (3000 m.) Hotel

4 Trek in Terskol valley. (3200m). Hotel

5We take the cable car up to the Mir station, 3500m, then the chair lift up to Garabashi station, 3800m, and walk to the Priut hut at 4100m. Return to the barrels hut.

Barrels

6 Acclimatization walk to Pastukhova Rocks, 4800 m. Barrels

7Attempt on Mt. Elbrus, (5642 m.) (optionally you can use a snowcat up to ca. 4650 m.).

Barrels

8 Spare day to attempt on Mt. Elbrus. Barrels

9 Return to Baksan Valley Hotel

10 Transfer to Mineralnye Vody airport. Trip ends. depart

EXPEDITION DATES: 9TH – 18TH AUG 2017We can also customize a trip as per your convenience, if your group size is more than 6.

Total cost for the expedition per person is INR 96,500 plus service tax at actual. (Ex Mineralnye Vody)

INCLUDE NON-INCLUDE

Transfers as per itinerary Flights to/from Mineralnye Vody airport

Accommodation according to the itinerary

Equipment rent, Porters for personal equipment

Full board throughout the trip Visa costs, Insurance

Experienced English-speaking Mountain guide for the entire trip

Extra beverages and mineral water during the trek

Additional summit guide(s) starting from the group size of 7. On the Summit day the guide/client ratio is 1/3.

Personal expenses during trek like wi-fi, battery charging, hot water bath, etc

Outdoor cook Emergency Medical Evacuation

Visa support, passport registration

Tips for guides and porters

Step 1:If you are interested in Elbrus expedition, get in touch with us. Youwill have to sign a separate indemnity bond. We will share it withyou along with the other forms. Once you fill them, please sendthem back to us along with very good quality photocopy ofpassport and initial booking payment, INR 30,000. (Payment detailsare mentioned below)(Kindly pay attention that we need participant’s details and bookingpayment at least 2 months in advance. Without the initial bookingamount, Visa invitation cannot be generated)

Step 2:Make your flight tickets and travel insurance. Team GGIM will helpyou here if you need any assistance.

Step 3:Make the balance payment. This needs to be done at least 4 weeksin advance so that we can book hotels at the base, huts/lodgesduring the climb and arrange for expedition logistics.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE:

Cancellation terms:1. Initial booking payment is non-refundable.2. If you wish to cancel your trip due to personal reasons, following

are the T&Cs:• If cancellation is done 4 weeks before the starting date, 25% of

the balance fees will be deducted.• If cancellation is done between 4 to 2 weeks before the starting

date, 50 % of the balance fees will be deducted.• If cancellation is done 2 weeks before the starting date, no refund

will be made.

Payment details:Pay by cash/ Cheque/ NEFTA/c Name- Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering.A/c No. 35422707432, IFSC Code- SBIN0013530Branch – Karve Nagar ,Pune 411052

Official Papers:

Valid passport

2 Copies of first page + visa page of passport

Airline tickets

Visa invitation

Insurance

Camping Gear:

Sleeping bag

Mattress

Sun screen lotion

Sun glasses (UV Polaroid)

Toiletry kit

Personal medicationClothing:

Down Jacket

Wind proof suit

Fleece jacket, Warm gloves, balaclava

Hiking pants/skirtLong-sleeve shirts/blouses

Spare cloths for hotel stay

Hiking boots, floaters (for camping)

Mountaineering Gear:

Mountaineering boots

Cramp on

Walking poles

Head torch with spare batteries

50-55 L rucksack

1 Harness, 1 self anchor, pair of gaiters

EXPEDITION ESSENTIALS

FAQs.

1. How is the weather on Elbrus like?July –Aug is considered to be the best time for Elbrus climb since itoffers better weather and climbing conditions as opposed to anyother times during the year. During the day time at Barrels, itsmostly pleasant and a bit sunny. At nights it could reach to subzeroconditions. At higher altitudes, during the summit attempt, tempcould be around -15 -18 degree Celsius. Wind will always be thereat around 20-25 kmh speeds making the weather conditions verycold. These are generally good conditions to climb. But Elbrus thesedays is notoriously known for its unpredictable conditions. It canswing in split second from good to worst. Care must be taken to staywarm and dry throughout. Summit success always depends on thethen weather conditions.

2. How should one prepare for snow and ice conditions on Elbrus?You need to be well trained from physical fitness point of view. Wewill share the training module for your reference. During theacclimatization days, our team will guide you in practicing thesnow/ice walks, use of snow boots, crampons etc.

3. Where do we get mountaineering equipment/clothing from?You can rent the equipment either from Giripremi or at the localshops in Terskol.

4. How much will my rucksack weigh?During the treks and summit attempt, you will only carry around 5-7kg weight (warm cloths, snacks/packed lunch, head torch, water/teaetc) But you should practice with 8-10 kg load during your training.

5. How is the food during the expedition like?During the hotel stay we have a continental/Russian cuisine(veg/nonveg) at restaurant and while on the mountain, a dedicatedRussian cook prepares fresh & nutritious meals. We do not servepackaged/dehydrated meals.

GUARDIAN GIRIPREMI INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAINEERING

Office no. 102, Chintamani Pride, Near City Pride Kothrud, Pune 411038

989049995597693029349822323147

ggimpune@gmail.com

ggim.in