Elbrus season is over? Oh, no!

This Elbrus season started not easily with climbers being too sleepy after long winter rest. We had very small groups with 2-3 participants until June end. After June all was different.

The first 2018 group was on January 2-13, two people from the Far East. For the first part of the trip while we had acclimatizing the weather was fine, But it changed for the worst when we came to the hut. The summit was not successful as the storm winds did not allow us to the top.

The guys were not too much disappointed deciding to come another time in summer.

It is so nice to sit near the fireplace after strong wind and frost – hot wine is especially tasty and good for preventing bad cold.

Closer to the summertime it got better and finer and days longer – well, much better for the climb! Acclimatizing trip to the Cheget shoulder.

After several days preparing for the summit day and at last come the Day! Nice weather, nice form. Here is the Summit plateau.

The last meters to approach to the Top!

Here is the Europe’s highest point!

We have a tradition to make a picture with our company Alpindustria’s flag. Alpindustria is 30 years old this year.

Who can do it like me on the Europe’s highest summit?

On the Cheget shoulder facing Mt.Elbrus.

A young British student Elliot came to climb Elbrus - single in a group. Not afraid of Russian mafia. :-)

Elbrus Heart Hut. 3850 m. After lunch.

Morning on the traverse to the saddle – 5250 m.

Coming to the Summit plateau.

At last on the summit. With Company flag.

There was no other climber on the top on that day. Sorry, nobody to make a picture of two of us.

New Zealand group on the top. July 2018.

Elbrus is beautiful any time of the year. But it has a special attraction in the morning…

In a line to the summit.

All group on the summit.

Mountain flowers.

Small lakes are nice.

My talisman is always with me.

I need good luck on Elbrus.

Cheers after a successful Elbrus climb!

Hard way UP.

But we succeded. Again on the TOP of Elbrus!

A group of 23 on the top (out of 24 in total). We deserved it!

On the top – 5642 m.

Memory picture.

Next day they had a helicopter excursion flight round Elbrus. It was fantastic and left unforgettable impressions.

In autumn the colours are incredible – blue skyes, white snow and yellow trees. It is worth seeing. 

Mushrooms, berries, herbs for tea are another attraction.

It is a nice time for walking and admiring the nature. Though for the Elbrus climb it is not the best time. Coming to the saddle. All was nice at the beginning.

And the it all has begun!

Our way to the top was hard and not very pleasant. But we did it! Pity we could not see the nice view from the top.

How peaceful it is in the valley.

So the active Elbrus climb season is coming to the end but we still have smaller group to come. In 2018 we ran 48 Elbrus climbs and almost all of the climbers were successful to climb the summit. About 300 climbers accompanied by our guides had reached the Elbrus top! And we are happy to add there was none of the accidents with our guests. Safety is our main priority. In September we run the Alpindustria company Jubilee climb dedicated to its 30th anniversary. 30 climbers led by our President Sergey Zon-Zam reached the summit!

Now we have booking open for the next climbing year. We will be happy to meet you in our mountains and share our love to it with you! See you on the air – and in the mountains.

Text and pictures by Victor Yanchenko

Chief Guide of AlpIndustria-Caucasus