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The Caucasus form a chain of high, alpine mountains separating the Republic of Georgia from that of Russia to the north. Just north of the main chain, several kilometres into Europe and into Russia, lies Europe’s highest summit - Mount Elbrus, 5624m. The main chain itself contains many mountains over 5000m and tens of summits higher than Mont Blanc. The Baksan Valley leads, in about 40 miles, from the northern foothills to the chain. This is the most important and best developed valley in the Caucasus, partly because of the mineral wealth located near Tyrnyauz and partly on account of Elbrus and the hundreds of magnificent mountains which comprise its watershed. We will be based in a hotel in the Baksan Valley from where we will make several trips following beautiful forested valleys, walking through alpine meadows, crossing glaciated mountain passes and climbing some of the easiest summits which provide superb panoramas of the Caucasus Range. These initial trips will be porter supported and will involve camping and backpacking; they will provide us with the fitness and acclimatisation necessary for the ascent of Elbrus itself. For this ascent we will use a cable car system which takes us to a height of about 3800m from where we walk up to the site of Priut 11 mountain lodge to camp (the "Refuge of 11") at 4200m. Though gentle-angled, the ascent requires the use of crampons and an ice axe. There will be opportunities to practise with these during the first ten days. We employ extra guides on Elbrus itself, belonging to the Elbrus guide and rescue bureau. We begin our trip with a city tour of Moscow and Red Square before our
flight south to the Caucasus. The trip ends in St. Petersburg, a city
designed by Peter the Great to be the Venice of the North. We have some
time to visit the wonders of this beautiful city.
vacations
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