Elbrus South 14th/15th July

Elbrus South 14th/15th July 2018

Leaders: Chris Harling & Gavin Kellett

22nd July

100% Summit Success!

The team are all back at the Barrels having all summited about 8.00 this morning. They are heading down on the gondola this afternoon. Photos and more details to follow!

20th July

The team are now based at the Barrels 3800m and have sent in the following report.

Yesterday we used 3 ski gondola lifts to transport ourselves, our kitbags and loads of food boxes up here. A military style method for loading and unloading some 40 plus items into and out of moving cabins was needed… as far as we are aware everything and everyone made it to the top station! A piste-basher was waiting to transport all the gear and us down the slopes to the Barrels…more loading and unloading, great teamwork!

We were delighted to find the accommodation has been refurbished, insulated and clad with new pine. Power and heaters is also standard! Galena our cook here is feeding us well – we are all full after every meal!

On the first afternoon we walked up to the Pryet hut at 4100m. The descent was quite atmospheric with hail, thunder and lightning all around us.

Today we made the ascent to the base of the Pastukov rocks at 4550m. A great effort from the team in cloudy and quite cold conditions. After a quick descent, hot lunch was waiting for us back at the Barrels.

18th July

Our groups have arrived in the Elbrus Region, Gavin has sent their first views of Elbrus from Cheget Peak

Chris and the team are back down in Cheget after 2 nights camping by Lake Syltrankel. It was a hot hike up there despite being taken a fair way up the track by truck first. Great alpine scenery, wildlife and ever changing views all the way up. We had a great basecamp already set up as we arrived at the lake and a hot lunch waiting!

The weather was threatening early next morning as we were about to set out on our climb so we opted for the easier walk to a lower peak as snow was falling when we set out. Luckily it cleared up and the sun came out so we had great views on our summit.

Back at camp a hot lunch was waiting followed by more rest and acclimatisation in the afternoon. We all slept pretty well on our second night there before a quick descent to the waiting truck.

Tomorrow we take the cable car up to The Barrels on Elbrus and begin the next phase of acclimatisation.