Elbrus 14th June 2008 Expedition News.

The Team Leader : Chris Holdsworth
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Team: Andrew Gourlay, Jason Sheldrake, Terry McMahon, Steven Atherton, Paul Taylor, Michael Bateman, Keith Slack, Michael Goldschmidt

SUMMIT SUCCESS – Chris called this afternoon to say all the team except Michael set out for the summit late last night…everyone who set out for the summit reached the top.

26th June – The group are now safely back in Moscow.  The second summit attempt was thwarted by a heavy fall of snow, nevertheless, everyone has enjoyed their mountain experience.  Andrew, Jason and Steven will now stay on for their Moscow and St Petersburg extension and the rest of the group will leave Moscow for the UK tomorrow.

23rd June SUMMIT SUCCESS – Chris called this afternoon to say all the team except Michael set out for the summit late last night, Michael Bateman wasn’t feeling well enough to make the attempt and decided to stay at the Prijutt 11 hut. Everyone who set out for the summit reached the top, so well done to all. Michael and one of the leaders will possibly make an attempt on the summit tomorrow, so we all wish him luck.

22nd June – After a successful climb to the Pastukov Rocks today the team are settling in for a night at the Prijutt 11 Hut. They are planning to make a summit attempt tomorrow morning departing at 3.30am. They’ve decided to use the Snowcat up to 4500m to save their strength for the summit slopes above the Sedlowina Col. By all accounts the weather’s a lot better in the Caucasus Mountains than the UK at present. We wish them a safe and successful climb.

20th June – Plans are for the team to walk up to the Barrels huts (3800m) tomorrow.  Everyone is in good spirits and Chris reports a good covering of snow.

19th June – Chris phoned to report the group have successfully summitted the acclimatisation peak of Andirchi today.  With a fair amount of snow and ice present, they have decided not to attempt Krumrichi but to carry on with their acclimatisation on Elbrus.  They will do this by climbing as high as the Diesel Hut and up towards the Pastukov Rocks and then returning lower to sleep.

17th June – The team are in the process of establishing their base camp at 3200m for attempts at acclimatisation peaks Andirchi (3800m) and Krumrichi (4200m) over the next few days.

16th June – Chris called today to say the team are all in good spirits.  They flew from Moscow yesterday and transferred overland to the Baksan valley. They will be making their first acclimatisation walks today.

14th June – The team will depart the UK today.