Mount Elbrus (5 642 m / 18 511 ft)

First climbed in 1829, Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and an excellent experience for the aspiring mountaineer. Standing 18,510 feet (5 642 meters) above sea level, Elbrus is the perfect challenge for those who have had some experience with mountaineering and are looking to test themselves at high altitude or on the 7 summits quest to climb all of the highest summits on each of the seven continents. Elbrus is a great next step on the road to peaks such as Aconcagua or Denali. Though Elbrus is the highest summit in Europe, it is one of the technically easiest of the higher peaks on the continent.

Elbrus is a volcanic cone with two summits (Western - 5642 m, Eastern - 5621 m). They are separated by a saddle height of 5300 m and are located approximately 3000 m from each other. The last eruption dates back to the year 50 BC. e. ± 50 years, but on top of distinctly smelled hydrogen sulphide. Several routes leads to the West summit - from simple snow and ice, to more complex at north-west ridge. The standard route up Elbrus is long and strenuous but not technically difficult. But that doesn’t mean that one can underestimate Mount Elbrus. Mortality statistics here are very high because of the availability of the mountains (up to a certain height there is a lift, and then you can take a snowcat to 4700) and apparent simplicity of climbing. It’s true – some people come to the top with snowboard under the arm. But changeable weather is able to mislead even the most experienced climber. In addition, on Elbrus mountain sickness develops much lower than in the Himalayan mountains.

• Europe Country High Points
• Seven Summits
• Europe 4500-meter Peaks (14 760 feet)
• Volcanic Seven Summits
• Caucasus 5000-meter Peaks (16 400 feet)
• World Country High Point Lists
• Caucasus 4500-meter Peaks (14 760 feet)

Mount Elbrus is located in Russia on the border between the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Its parent range is the Elbrus Massif which belongs to the Central Caucasus.

Elbrus is accessible from Moscow via an internal flight to the town of Mineralnye Vody. From here it takes a 3 hour by taxi or private van transport to the mountain village of Cheget and Terskol and acclimatize in route to the mountain.

Elbrus Area Preserve permission is required. It is certainly a good idea to register in rescue service in Terskol if you are not traveling with a guide service. Registering is free of charge.

Mount Elbrus region (aka Prielbrusje) is one of the ski resorts in Russia and the center of mountain tourism. There are number of mountain gorges Adylsu, Shkhelda Adyrsu, arrays Donguz-Oruna Ushba and very popular among climbers and mountain tourists. There are a lot of routes of varying difficulty.

 

Given that the boundary between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, Elbrus often called highest European mountain peak that is attributed to its list of the "Seven Summits".

 

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Guided Tours

• 7 Summits Club
• Alpine Ascents International

Accomodation

• Hotel Povorot - Hotel “Povorot” is a group of buildings designed in European style. It is situated right in the center of Prielbrusie resort on the territory of Terskol village in 200 meters from the station of cable railroad, lifting to Mt. Cheget and in 4 km from Mt. Elbrus.

• General description "how to get there". http://www.mtnprofessionals.com/climbing-expeditions/elbrus.php
• General description and listings. http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=10383