Welcome to Mt Elbrus

Tour Inclusions

• Official Invitation letter for the Russian Tourist Visa. We email it to you after we obtain your deposit payment and a scanned copy of your passport
• All local registration fees. For foreign citizens according to the Russian legislation
• National Park Fees
• Climbing Permit
• Return flights from Moscow – MRV (Mineralnye Vody) Airport
• All transportation from MRV (Mineralnye Vody) Airport — Private Lodge — MRV airport
• Accommodation in Terskol Village at Private Lodge. Twin-share. Single occupancy supplement may be possible
• Accommodation in the High Camp at the new comfortable fully heated and fully electric mountain lodge at 3850 m. Mixed dorm with 8 separate beds in every room
• Russian Banya (Russian Sauna) is available every evening in Terskol while we are not on the mountain
• Ski Passes For all cable cars throughout the trip
• Snowcat on the Summit Day From the High Camp lodge (3850 m.) to the Pastukhova Rocks – 4700 m
• Snowmobiles In the case of Emergency Use Only
• Local transfers in Terskol
• High-Quality Meals, all meals while climbing and trekking, except days in Pyatigorsk city, if spending a Reserve Day there
• Australian Guide, for the entire trip (for Australian led trips)
• Local Russian Lead Guide for the whole trip
• 2nd Local Russian Guide for the summit day (additional Russian Mountain Guides added when the group size increases)
• Rescue Service Check-in
• 2 Summit Attempts. Above 5000 meters is one attempt. In case of adverse weather conditions during the summit day, we try the next day again if conditions allow
• 2 new locking and 3 new non-locking carabiners (to keep)
• 2 new prussic ropes 1m and 2m (to keep)
• Crampon hire
• Ice axe hire
• Harness hire
• Completion Certificates
• Festive Dinner
• Authentic Caucasian experience
• 3 nights accommodation in Moscow single room (no need to share)
• Sightseeing in Moscow

Things NOT included

• Any International flights
• Transfer from Moscow airport to Accommodation (we can assist you in booking a transfer)
• Russian Visa costs
• International Medical & Evacuation Insurance for Alpine Climbing (Travel insurance and a 14 day Global Rescue policy for the mountaineering component)
• Rental of personal climbing/trekking equipment not listed above
• Mountaineering boot hire AUD$95-140 depending on the type of boot (to be hired at the base of Mt Elbrus)
• Filming and video production
• Additional (Private) Mountain Guides
• Additional or individual transfers from /or to Mineralnye Vody Airport. You might need it in case if your flight arrives later than the time our transfer van departs from the MRV airport on the first day of the trip, or if your return flight out of MRV departs much earlier or much later than the time to which our transfer goes to the airport on the final day of the trip
• Alcoholic beverages
• Accommodation and meals in Pyatigorsk city. If a group decides to spend a Reserve day in Pyatigorsk city after the climb, the meals and accommodation are not included. You can always choose the best time and the right menu for yourself in one of the many local restaurants.
• Any changes in the tour on our website trip program which leads to additional expenses.
• International arrival and departure airport Transfers
• *Additional cultural program and sightseeing in Pyatigorsk city. If spending a Reserve Day there.

Some of our optional extras for our MT Elbrus Tours include Mountaineering Boots, Sleeping Bag, Insulated Jacket and Ski Goggles etc.

Composite high mountain climbing boots (insulated or double) AUD$155.00 (6-day hire rate)

These boots are of higher quality than the standard hire boots. These boots will provide greater comfort while hiking and climbing on the alpine terrain.

Plastic Climbing Boots ADU$110.00 (6-day hire rate)

The most basic hire boot you will find in Nepal or South America. These boots are incredibly warm and robust; however, some people can find them slightly uncomfortable to wear for long durations, depending on their foot shape and size.

Crampons (supplied)

Basic 12-14 duel point step in crampons with horizontal front points for general mountaineering. The fastening system is a hybrid strapping system with a rear heel welt and rear tension lever.

Ice Axe (supplied)  

A straight shaft, glacier style mountaineering ice axe for snow and ice traversing, and self-arrest capabilities.

Climbing Harness (supplied)

A multi-fit harness with waist and leg adjustment straps.

Carabiners (supplied)

New 3 x HMS locking carabiners and 2 non-locking wide gate carabiners. These components are provided to you to keep and ensure we are climbing with safe quality hardware to ensure your safety at all times.

Prussiks/Self-belay Leash (supplied)

New 6mm climbing accessory cord for safe self-belay and other applications. These cords are provided to you and ensure your attachment points to the fixed-line components of the climb are bomber.

Trekking Poles AUD$30.00(6-day hire rate)

Standard trekking poles for hiking and low angle approach on glacier terrain. These are an essential item.

Sleeping Bag AUD$65.00 (6-day hire rate)

Our hire sleeping bags are highly insulated and constructed to accommodate wider clients and incorporate a roomier cut with quality zippers to make it easier to get in and out. We do recommend purchasing your own bag for personal comfort.

Warm Mittens AUD$35.00 (6-day hire rate)

Insulated mittens for warm hands while climbing. These mittens provide warmth, although they can sacrifice dexterity for more precise tasks.

Insulated/Belay Jacket AUD$90.00 (6-day hire rate)

A warm insulated jacket for evening and summit day to keep you warm while ascending, resting or possibly waiting at belay stations,

Ski Goggles AUD$15.00 (6-day hire rate) 

Category 3 and 4 ski goggles to use when climbing. Ski goggles are an essential piece of kit in the event of a storm.

A more detailed gear list will be sent out to you upon registration, we can assist you in your purchases. These are all suggested items, and you should also do some research to ensure you are carrying what suits you. (If you have what we indicate on our gear lists this should be sufficient, but any questions, please ask)

Included in this package is bag portage carried by one of our local team members. All that you will be required to carry is a daypack of around 40-50L in capacity. You are required to purchase a duffel bag to put the bulk of your gear in. This should be no smaller than 120L. Below is a list of items you require and what you would need to carry in our daypacks.

Gear Required:

Clothing

• Upper body clothing – three layers. Should be polypropylene or pile, not cotton.
• Breathable waterproof jacket – we recommend GORE-TEX
• Breathable waterproof pants (trousers) – we recommend GORE-TEX
• Long thermal underwear
• Hiking pants x 2 (trousers) 1 of them a zip-off type
• Warm gloves (inner and outer gloves)
• Balaclava
• A warm hat which covers your ears/beanie
• Shorts zip-off type/2 pair of skins to wear under to stop chaffing
• T-shirts
• Regular underwear
• Wide-brimmed sunhat or cap and buff
• Category 4 glacier glasses or (snow goggles optional)

Footwear

• Comfortable, worn-in hiking boots – we suggest that you wear these during your flight to avoid the risk them being misplaced by the airline
• Mountaineering boots (double skin type) – we recommend that if you don’t already own a pair of boots to hire them from Terskol. Sizing needs to be supplied to us 6 weeks before your trip so we can arrange this for you
• Comfortable regular footwear, such as training shoes
• Thermal socks
• Regular thin socks

Equipment

• Sleeping bag – four-season-rated or suitable for temperatures as low as -5°C
• Camping pillow
• Day/climbing pack 40l – for you to carry (look for ice axe attachments and gear loops for climbing equipment to be stowed on the side of the pack and or waist straps)
• 120-160l duffel bag – to be used for transport of your gear from Terskol to high camp; its weight must not exceed 15kg
• 3 drinks bottles – of at least 1-litre capacity each and two 0.5L platypus-type water bladders to stuff in your pockets (optional)
• Headlamp – with fully-charged batteries + 1 set of spares
• Trekking poles – optional but recommended for reduced strain on knees
• Camera – with fully-charged batteries; We recommend a UV filter  for high-altitude photography
• Ice Axe (hire included in package costs)
• Crampons (hire included in package costs)
• Locking and non-locking carabiners (supplied to you to keep in package costs)
• Prussik ropes (provided to you to keep in package costs)

Personal and Medical Supplies

• High-factor sunscreen and lip balm
• Essential toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wet wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitiser etc.
• water purification tablets
• First-aid kit which includes products for:
• intestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, bacterial diarrhoea)
• infection (antibiotic cream for cuts and abrasions)
• headache (Panadol or Ibuprofen; painkillers stronger than codeine should not be taken due to the potential risk of masking serious altitude problems)
• altitude sickness/prevention medicine (such as Diamox, taken twice a day from 13,000 feet)

Travel Documents

• Passport and visa
• Airline tickets
• International health card
• Travel/medical insurance documents
• Cash/travellers’ cheques/credit cards.

Personally, this is what I wear on a day to day trek;

• One pair of bushwalking boots or shoes (with good grip)
• One trekking pole
• One pair of socks
• One pair of long Outdoor Research XL or XXL gators
• One pair of long pants
• One Shirt
• One pair of warm socks
• One lightweight jumper
• One Buff
• One Insulated Jacket
• One pair of glove inners (these go inside insulated gloves)
• One pair of lycra gym shorts
• One cap with ear and neck protection

Extra Bag/suitcase (To leave in Terskol)

You will leave a bag at the hotel lock up in Terskol that is returned to you when you arrive back off the mountain. You can leave additional gear not required and clean gear for your return in this bag.
I recommend that you bring with you at least AUD $150 for snacks, beverages souvenirs and the old meal not included on the itinerary. Please place a lock on the bag you are leaving behind.

Please note: This information is directly from the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Escape Mountaineering has no affiliation nor can participate in the processing of your Visa Application.

To enter the Russian Federation for tourist purposes, foreigners must have a valid visa. A Russian tourist visa can be issued for no longer than 30 days.  When entering with a tourist visa, you could also be asked to present your tourist confirmation, voucher and a return ticket with a fixed date of departure from Russia at the border checkpoint. You must also prove that you have sufficient funds for your trip.

Complete the Electronic Visa Application form online, applicants will have to print a double-sided copy of their application form, sign and date it, glue (not staple or use adhesive tape) the required size photo to it and submit this printed original form, along with other necessary documentation, to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Australia personally or by post or a visa agency.

Postal address:

Embassy of the Russian Federation
78 Canberra Avenue, Griffith ACT 2603

When mailing your application along with all required documents, a self-addressed pre-paid return envelope should be enclosed. Otherwise, your visa will not be processed. To avoid your correspondence being lost in the mail, we recommend to use Express Post or Registered Post envelopes. Please note that the Embassy will only send back prepaid envelopes with the tracking number on it. The Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation will not be responsible for any loss or mishandling of the mail by the Postal Service or any other delivery agent.

To obtain a visa, you should submit to the Consular Section:

1. Double-sided completed application form http://visa.kdmid.ru, one per person. An application form must be signed and dated.
2. One professional passport size photo (3,5 x 4.5 cm) The photo should be glued (not stapled or attached using adhesive tape) to the specially marked place of the application form.
3. National passport (original) valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from Russia. At least one page of the passport should be free from notes.
4. Copy of high quality or original standard tourist confirmation (“Podtverzdeniye”) and a tour voucher from an ETA’s nominated hosting Russian travel agency registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorised to invite foreign citizens in the Russian Federation. Confirmation carries a REFERENCE-NUMBER of the hosting company (which confirms that this company is allowed to receive foreign tourists), personal data of each tourist, dates of the trip, itinerary in Russia, services as paid. Confirmation and voucher must be signed by authorized person and carry the official seal of the Russian travel company.
5. Copy of itinerary (flight details).

Should the consular section of the Russian Embassy wish to contact you, please state clearly in the application form your contact telephone number (office and after hours).

Visa processing time starts only after the Consulate receives all the necessary documents. Please note, that drop-off day is not counted as a working day. If you apply by mail, please enclose a return self-addressed Courier envelope and add one more day for processing. After you receive your visa, please check it for possible mistakes (passport number, date of birth, the term of validity, etc.) and, if necessary, return it to us for corrections. The Consulate will not be responsible for the mistakes, which were not brought to its attention before your departure from Australia. 

Our main priority is to process visa applications. We are not always able to answer your individual requests by phone. Therefore you may send your enquiry to the Consular Section by email: consul.australia@mid.ru or fax (02) 6295 1001.

Please, carefully fill in the visa information in the application form and follow all other requirements when submitting your papers. When applying be advised that the permission to enter the Russian Federation is courtesy of the State. Consular officer reserves the right to invite the applicant to be interviewed in person.

Visa can be denied if the Consulate has serious reasons to believe that the applicant’s visit to the Russian Federation is not desirable, and the disclosure of the reason for the denial can be withheld.

The validity and type of visa should be strictly connected to the purpose of the visit. When in Russia, you cannot change your visa status i.e. from tourist to business or from business to guest and vice versa. To do that, you have to leave the country and re-enter on a different visa.

Payment must be exact and made by money order or bank cheque payable to the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Embassy of the Russian Federation are not accepted. Accepted visa fee is not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

If you apply in person normal processing time is 10 business days, urgent – 2 business days. If you apply by Post, normal processing time is 12 business days, urgent – 4 business days. Visa processing starts only after the Embassy has received all the necessary documents. Drop-off or delivery day is not counted as a business day. The Embassy of the Russian Federation does not provide information by phone or email on status enquiry for visa applications.

Visa fees (in Australian dollars) and processing time

Visa processing services

The Consular Section of the Russian Embassy has a positive experience of cooperation with the following Australian companies, which have proved to be reliable and professional in processing visa documentation:

1. Reho Eastern Europe Destinations (Melbourne)

Web-site: www.reho.com

Tel: 03 9823 5222

E-mail: mail@reho.com

Address: 484 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004

1. Reho Eastern Europe Destinations (Sydney)

Web-site: www.reho.com

Tel: 02 9900 6969

E-mail: sydney@reho.com

Address: Lvl 2, 29 Kiora Rd, Miranda, NSW 2228

1. Safeway Travel

Tel: 03 9534 4866

Email: safewaytravel@optusnet.com.au

Address: 288 Carlisle St., Balaclava, VIC, 3183

Mountaineering is not an easy activity, and it is not something that we are used to completing in our daily lives. Climbing Mt Elbrus should not be approached lightly. It’s is a fantastic experience, that is greatly affected by the amount and type of fitness completed before your tour. If you prepare thoroughly and follow our training program sent out to you once you have booked, you have a high chance of success and enjoyment for the activity. We recommend that you put in at least 3-4 months of training before your climb.

For those of you new to mountaineering and climbing, you have an enjoyable experience in store for you.

Trekking is walking, generally on well-formed to semi-formed trails, usually with ascents and descents every day (sometimes 3,000 feet/900 meters a day), carrying a 40L  pack.

Mountaineering is traversing/walking on snow and ice with crampons usually with an objective in mind like a summit peak. Mountaineering can involve low angle approaches right through to vertical methods heavily reliant on technical ice axes and skills. This can be done by ascending in rope teams tied together, solo climbing, fixed-line ascending or a more significant (3-4 persons) rope team attached for glacier terrain.

Climbing can be done in the form of rock climbing (outdoor on natural surfaces or indoor artificial surfaces) or ice climbing. This is generally done by teams of 2 or 3 pitching the length of a rope on the exposed sections of terrain to reach the top of a rock or ice feature. They will then walk off the top of the feature or repel back down to the bottom. Some highly skilled and brave soles complete this solo with no ropes and high risk to falls.

MT Elbrus is a Glacier Ascent on mostly low angle terrain and a short fixed line section where the terrain presents exposed danger. You should be a competent trekker to complete a climb such as this with experienced guides.

Our acclimatisation days start in the morning and slowly reach the days objective. This objective is determined by meters ascended to adapt our bodies for the high altitude ascent for MT Elbrus. Lunch may be a packed meal; cooked meal served on the trail, or in our private mountain lodge.

Russia is not like home. It is exotic, it is wonderful, but it is also different. Remarkable elevation changes, different customs and language, new foods, and the many other mysteries and wonders of travel in Russia are all conditions you must be physically and mentally prepared for.

Training for EMT Elbrus is unlike any other activity you have undertaken. For example, in Australia, you will be unable to train outdoors at altitude on glacier terrain. The type of training program you need to take will vary on your pre-existing fitness levels, strength and minor injuries or impairments you may already have. To avoid residual fatigue, ensure you have at least one rest day, ideally after your hardest session of training for the week. Vary the method of training over the course of the 12-16 weeks from bike riding to interval training and a little running. However, 60% of your cardio workout should be bushwalking using your pack.

The different categories will be little to no pre-existing fitness level will require 16-20 weeks of preparation. In some cases, if you are overweight, it may take more then 20 weeks to be ready).
Limited fitness but can climb a 3 story staircase in a brisk manner resulting in a little shortness of breath and not be bent over huffing and puffing at the top of the stairs, should see you needing 12-16 weeks of training to prepare.
Some fitness level, which includes mostly cardio training. This type of person could complete 3 x 1-hour walks per week and do 10 push-ups along with 20 sit-ups. This type of persons would also engage in physical activity on a few occasions per week, i.e. bike riding, running, swimming, ball sports or sport that involves a good level of cardiovascular strength. They could prepare in 10-12 weeks.

Don’t be scared or put off taking on a high altitude challenge like an Mt Elbrus ascent, remember everyday average Aussie’s (and other nationalities for that matter) travel to Russia and climb this mountain every year. If using a slow ascent method and you listen to your body not ignoring the early warning signs of altitude sickness (AMS) you can make this a successful journey. The early onset symptoms of mild headache can be common and may require you to slow your pace a little and take an extra hour to reach the days objective. Escape Mountaineering has included more days to the standard Mt Elbrus climb to provide us with a higher chance of success.

Training for high altitude climbs I like to increase my cardio capacity by focusing on interval training for periods of 3-week rotations between that and hiking. Increased lower leg strength with weighted box steps and calf raises is an essential training tool to undertake. Below is an example training plan, we at Escape Mountaineering will provide you with a detailed plan for your climb once you have booked.

Weeks 1-3 

Begin interval training with 4 sessions of 25 minutes. The high-intensity period should begin at 20 seconds with 40 seconds rest for week one and 25 seconds of high intensity with 35 seconds rest for week 2, followed by 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest for week 3.

Weeks 4-6

Begin your walking with 3 x 30-minute sessions on mild terrain with a Camel Bak (water bladder in a bag) and one session of interval training with 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest each week. For week 5 and 6 increase the length of time for hiking by 30 minutes each week and pack weight by a kilogram each week also.

Weeks 7-9

Back to interval training for 3 sessions of 40 minutes beginning with 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest. Weeks 8-9 try to increase the 35 seconds of high intensity with 25 seconds rest. Include one hike each week for a 2 hour period for week 8, increasing this by 15 minutes and week 9 another 15 minutes taking you to 2&1/2 hour walks. Your pack weight should increase by 1/2 kilogram each week also.

Weeks 10-12

This rotation includes a half/half mix of intervals and hiking. Increase the hiking time by 30 minutes each week in this rotation and pack weight should increase by 1/2 kilogram each week.

Weeks 13-16

Week 13

3-4 x 3-hour hikes up and down hilly terrain with an increase pack weight of 1/2 kilogram and one interval training session of 40 minutes beginning with 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest.

Week 14

3-4 x 3 & 1/2 hour hikes up and down hilly terrain with an increase pack weight of 1/2 kilogram and one interval training session of 40 minutes beginning with 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest.

Week 15 

3-4 x 4-hour hikes up and down hilly terrain with an increase pack weight of 1/2 kilogram and one interval training session of 40 minutes beginning with 30 seconds of high intensity with 30 seconds rest.

Week 16 

Rest up this week with only 2 walks on flat terrain for 30 minutes.

Week 17 Adventure time.

In addition to the above guidelines, you should consult your trainer and work on some strength training, mainly core work.

So you have decided to choose Escape Mountaineering to facilitate your MT Elbrus Climb, Great choice!

What are the processes to book, pay and complete your Elbrus tour?

1. Book online via our website selecting the tour date that you wish to join and filling out our booking form as part of the shopping cart. Alternately you can call or email us to make your booking.
2. Pay a $1200 deposit (non-refundable) in to our account either online through our secure website payment system, deposit money in to our bank account (contact us for details) or call us and make a credit card payment over the phone.
3. Escape Mountaineering will send out our destination information packs containing a 3 month training plan, destination information, forms (that are required to return to us), a doctors examination (to alert you and EM of any pre-existing conditions that may effect your trek), visa forms including a supporting letter that the embassy requires, gear list and a gear discount voucher.
4. Begin training for your MT Elbrus climb as soon as possible to ensure you get the most out of your tour.
5. From our gear lists that we provide purchase your trek gear.
6. Be sure to send us some pictures of your training and tag us with #etaescapes
7. Get a medical check to ensure that there is no under lying health issues you and I don’t know about.
8. Book your flights
9. Send you passport and visa application forms (enclosed in our packs) to the Russian consulate to obtain your visa.
10. Fill out our destination forms and return to us no later than 60 days prior to your adventure beginning.
11. Pay your balance 60 days prior to your adventure beginning. (let us know if you need a little more time we are not unreasonable if you have paid for a majority of your tour already).
12. Receive pre departure emails from us with advice and information.
13. Your big adventure begins!

SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY is the number one reason that sets us above our competition. We have developed a safer acclimatisation program that works. Many Australians who climb MT Elbrus fail due to inflexible programs with no contingency for weather delays (extremely common at any time of the year) or persons within the group not acclimatising  well or becoming sick with tummy upsets thus exposing them to risk of HACE, HAPE or AMS all altitude related illnesses. We carry out oxi pulse symmetry readings daily, carry altitude sickness score cards, oxygen and other first aid equipment to deal with unforeseen illness. Shane leads our Australian led treks and has loads of experience in trekking and alpine environments.

Escape Mountaineering is a qualified professional outdoor recreation business. We are not a travel agent selling trips to adventurous locations like MT Elbrus with no qualifications or little knowledge of the Australian Adventure Activity standards (the standards that are the minimum requirement for outdoor activities in Australia). Developing nations do yet have such high standards or regulation in the adventure industry and many operators can hide behind this lack of governance but not us we ensure we operate as if in Australia.

Escape Mountaineering not only has a high quality quantitive risk assessment for each destination that we travel but we also have the health safety management systems that underpin the risk assessments with safe operating procedures, systems for in the field risk assessments (the environment is dynamic and can change with out warning), codes of conduct and industry best training packages for leaders. This is reflected in our outstanding safety record.

1. COMMUNICATIONS: Our MT Elbrus climbs carry satellite phones with head guides to ensure we can remain connected with the outside world, this was highlighted in the 2015 Nepal earthquakes where this left many operators exposed with no communications to arrange an emergency extraction for the crew and clients. Many loved ones around the world appreciated communications that informed them their families and friends where safe.

2. MEDICAL: Your safety is our business and paramount, we take it seriously and so many of our Guides and Trek Leaders have qualifications in Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) and Remote Area. We carry a comprehensive team First Aid kit on all our MT Elbrus Climbs.

3. QUALIFIED & EXPERIENCED: We are a professional outdoor adventure recreation business, we are not ill informed travel agents who sell holidays, we are not ill trained, ill equipped or unqualified to run outdoor adventure activities. We are licensed to carry out these types of activities in Australia and off shore. Our Australian Trek Leaders come from diverse backgrounds some are Adventure Activity Leaders others ex Military and have travelled the globe. They have all climbed MT Elbrus and or other high altitude locations. Our guides are there to provide life-changing experiences to our clients.

Our local employees and guides are hand picked, trained and groomed in to the best employees in the business. We recognise our teams are our greatest assets and we look after them to ensure they stay with EM and that we have the best crews on the ground.

4. CATERING: All your meals are supplied on our climbing component of our tours with limitations on the amount of food and water or restrictions of what you can order. Please be careful of this as your food will cost up to or in excess or US$810 much more than the $2-300 that you can be advised of. We also ensure all of our guides are fully catered for with 3 meals a day to make sure they have the correct nutrition.

5. INSURED: We have full Public Liability Insurance and we are a licensed Tour Operator.

6. LOGISTICS: Once you arrive at your destination for your MT Elbrus climb your needs are tended to and co-ordinated and controlled by one of the most experienced local Operations Managers in the business who is a permanent EM in-country staff member.

7. ITINERARIES that actually work:  We don’t just follow the crowd rushing our clients through fast paced programs. Shane decided at additional costs incurred we would add additional days to our tours to give our clients the best chance at success in high altitude environments such as MT Elbrus.

8. HOLISTIC HISTORICAL JOURNEYS: Our tours will uncover the culture that MT Elbrus and the Caucasus Mountains.

9. NOT JUST GUIDES BUT MOUNTAINEERS: Mountaineers know mountains and techniques of mountaineering  to be able to provide you insight to this fascinating world. Shane will train you during your expedition with the correct techniques in a safe environment to climb MT Elbrus

10. PRICE: Value for money, you will find EM to be one of the most affordable tour operators and our small groups means quality. We offer a niche market to those who wish to have their adventures taken care of by Australian and Russian Guides. Care and Quality are our objectives.

Escape Mountaineering primarily operates Australian Guided tours in Russia. This is for a variety of reasons. Our guides are highly skilled, pay the correct attention to the cultural and historical aspects of this tour, can handle medical emergencies better than your run of the mill tour operator and most of all being Australian we know what Australians like in their adventure holidays.

Escape Mountaineering has hand-picked all of our guides and considers them the cream of the crop, so to speak.

Our guides are trained, assessed and deemed competent as a high altitude tour guides. Our job description for Mt Elbrus tours is dynamic. Recognising this, we ensure we are your cultural interpreter, local historian, your tour manager (this goes beyond the walk and begins from the time you book and includes the entire duration of the tour in Russia until you are back home safe in Australia), we are your environmental guide, we are your medical consultant and field medical attendant. Most of all we are your friend when you need someone to talk to, laugh with and cry with.

We come from different backgrounds, but we are all highly trained and competent in outdoor wilderness environments. This is something that flows down from our planning and preparation for each tour we host and our experience in various locations.

Do you want to know more about our guides? Visit our teams profiles for individual guides.

If you are looking at traveling to Russia it is essential that good health and preparation with regard to your health is the first and foremost task. As with all adventure travel outside of your usual environment you will need to be prepared for the activity.

Immunisations

The required immunisations  for every destination around the world could change on a daily basis and as a result you will be required to check with your Doctor what you should be protected against.

The general major risks to your health while traveling to Russia can be but not limited to :

Mt Elbrus is an amazing adventures but prior to the trip you can feel a little under prepared for your journey and wish to seek a little advice. The below videos are intended to take away some of the confusion so that you are better prepared.

First Aid Kits & what they should contain.

When trekking in Remote area’s you should always be mindful of what items you may require to treat any aliments that may occur finding it difficult to purchase any such items. In Russia/Mt Elbrus, you can buy some supplies but these are mainly limited.

If you suffer from heyfever, sinus, reflux or any such medical condition you should bring medication to treat this, plan for the worst case scenario and be prepared.

Some items that are worth your consideration include but are not limited to;

Anti-inflammatory tablets and gel (as prescribed by your doctor, remember voltaren and the like take up to 48 hours to relive symptoms so a fast acting tablet such as ibuprofen is great to start with), antibiotics for treating diarrhoea (as prescribed by your doctor), gastro stop, antibacterial gel, betadine liquid (Betadine can also treat your water for purification as a emergency back up if required), blister packs, one roll of broad elasticated bandage, roll of strapping tape, antihistamines, anti sickness tablets, painkillers such as Panadol Forte/Aspirin tablets/capsules, Codral cold and flu tablets, sunscreen, pawpaw cream along with one pack of a general use antibiotics.

Sorting and packing your gear for trekking

The following video explains how to separate your gear into different packs of various sizes and colours.

I personally try to use one colour dry bag for each category I separate the items into, allowing the item you are looking for to be easily identified.

You should try to group things into to medications, toiletries, clothing, sleeping gear, general use items, spare batteries, dirty or wet clothing, first aid kit and snacks in to several separate bags for identification.

Avoid using one large dry bag as this means the entire contents will need removal to find the item you are looking for as well when you pack your bag it will need to be inside the backpack to fit the gear in correctly. Trust me I have been through all of these issue in the past.

Cold climate trek gear for Mt Elbrus explained

This video will walk you through the items you require to trek in cold climates at altitude.

Simply using ski field clothing will not suffice and will be very uncomfortable whilst trekking, you will require items to keep you warm and safe. Being cold at altitude can lead to altitude sickness such as AMS, HACE and HAPE.

Layers is still the best clothing configuration for these treks and surprisingly enough you will require lightweight items that breath, high altitude trekking be quite warm during the day one minute to freezing cold blistering winds the next, so you will need to be able to regulate your core temperature according.