Our Elbrus Adventure: A Tale of Two Trips
add_circle Pros
- Breathtaking views from the summit
- Sense of accomplishment is incredible
- Opportunity to challenge yourself and push your limits
- Unique experience that you'll never forget
- Opportunity to see the sunrise from the top of Europe's highest peak
remove_circle Cons
- Weather conditions can be unpredictable and harsh
- Guide services can be unreliable and even scams
- Physical demands of the climb can be intense
- Altitude sickness is a real concern
- Expensive and requires significant planning and preparation
Gallery
Editor's Summary
I embarked on two separate trips to climb Mount Elbrus, and let me tell you, it was an adventure of a lifetime. The first trip was a disaster - we got stuck in a snowstorm, and the guide service we hired turned out to be a total scam. But we didn't give up, and on the second trip, we finally reached the summit. The views from the top were breathtaking, and the sense of accomplishment was incredible. If you're planning to tackle Elbrus, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable guide service.
Specifications
A must-read for anyone planning a trip to Mount Elbrus.
We spent ages deciding whether to tackle Mount Elbrus or not during our stay in Pyatigorsk. And who wouldn't want to be the highest point in Europe? Our dream finally came true. My husband and I went to Mount Elbrus twice, first in April and then again in October. We started our excursion super early, at 6:30 am, and I was barely awake enough to make it to the bus. The weather was perfect - sunshine, warmth, and birds singing - but it was time to hit the road. I dozed off in the bus and slept all the way to the border with Karachay-Cherkessia, dreaming and replaying in my head what was waiting for us.
Our tour included climbing Mount Cheget, Mount Elbrus, and a visit to a narzan spring.
When booking a tour to Mount Elbrus, make sure to check the weather - it's a crucial factor.
Mount ElbrusAt the border, we went through passport control (just a heads up: make sure you don't have any outstanding fines). The whole process is pretty quick, and if you're traveling in a small group, you won't even be stopped. Don't bring anything with you to the control point, it'll only slow down the process. Leave it in the bus instead.
We wore warm clothes for our first trip: winter boots and thick jackets. Do you really need to dress that warmly? I'll tell you more about it later.
As we drove, fields, passes, and then in the distance, I saw MOUNT ELBRUS! My heart started racing, and I was looking forward to meeting it!
Road to Mount Elbrus, Karachay-Cherkessia RepublicOur first stop was a 30-minute breakfast at a local small café. And behind us, a stunning view of the mountains.
We got an amazing guide: interesting stories and tales accompanied us throughout the journey. After breakfast, we headed to Cheget without any stops, just listening and admiring the rivers, the Balkan gorge, and the mountains passing by.
We drove through numerous villages with interesting house construction. The windows are basically invisible, and there are only high, beautiful fences along the road. As it turned out, the locals are still building houses in the traditional way. Windows face the yard, and there's a high fence around it.
I woke up to breathtaking views outside my window. I was on my way to the Caucasus, and all I could think about was not getting caught in an avalanche - a common occurrence here. Two days prior, a group had to turn back from Mount Elbrus due to an avalanche. It was a sad sight. Luckily, our road was clear.
As we drove into the town of Tyrnyauz, I was shocked to see how deserted it was. The locals are trying to leave, as there's no work to be found. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw entire apartment buildings standing empty. My partner and I were seriously considering buying a place here. The prices are ridiculously low. What's not to love about living in the mountains in your old age?
Our first stop was the town of Cheget. It's a small place with a café, some souvenir stalls, but I wasn't interested in that. I wanted to get to the spot where the mountains meet the sky. We were lucky to have the place to ourselves, as there were no other tourist buses around. We joined the queue for the chairlift, which would take us up to Cheget. The chairlift has two sections. The first one is a single-person lift that takes you up to 2,750 meters. The second one is a double-person lift that takes you up to 3,050 meters. Our guide warned us about the altitude change, and advised those with heart problems or high blood pressure to stay behind. But we all decided to go for it, and we felt great - even I, a hypertensive person. I think it's better to warn people who are afraid of heights, though. We weren't able to convince our friend to join us on the open chairlift, but we took some great photos of her.
Camera in one hand, phone in the other, we were off!
Cheget chairliftAs we rode the single-person chairlift, the sun was shining so brightly that I had to squint even with my sunglasses on. I was trying to take in the view of the Semenovskiy Glacier to my left, and Mount Elbrus with its double summit to my right. I was speechless, filled with excitement and shock!
Cheget chairliftThe second part of the ride took us up steeply, into the mountains. We were in an open chairlift now, and the wind was biting. I had to stop taking photos for a bit, as my hands were freezing. What a height!
Finally, we reached the top! The sun was beating down on us, and I even had to take off my jacket.
As we made our way back down, I was treated to a breathtaking view of the Balkan Gorge. That's the path we took!
I packed the right gear, including a warm jacket and gloves, and we were all set for the day. The sun was shining, but we knew we'd be in the shade most of the time, so I didn't bother with sunscreen. We did get offered a heated seat for our butts at the base of the gondola, but we didn't need it.
The ride up the mountain was a lot shorter than I expected, so we didn't break the bank on it.
When we got to the top, we were lucky and there was hardly anyone there. Just us, a few skiers and snowboarders.
Next stop: the 'Kruizor' station at 3000 meters.
station 'Kruizor' on ElbrusFrom there, the gondola took us up to the 'Miry' station at 3450 meters.
station 'Miry' on ElbrusIf you're at this station, be sure to check out the 'Money' cafe. You'll be amazed at the amount of cash from all over the world they have on display. And it's a great place to grab a bite to eat.
'Money' cafe on Elbrus'Money' cafe on ElbrusFinally, we made it to the top of the gondola at the 'Gara-Bashi' station at 3847 meters.
station 'Gara-Bashi' on ElbrusIf you're staying at a hotel, you can take the rickshaw from here to the summit of Elbrus. It's 1000 rubles per person.
climbing the mountain on a rickshawIt's pouring rain, the sun is beating down, the air is crisp and clean, and the views are just stunning. You feel like you're in paradise.
Mount ElbrusWe could even see the mountains of Georgia from Elbrus.
We spent about 40 minutes exploring the area and then headed down to the 'Three Sisters' cafe. It's a tiny, cozy place with two rooms that's highly recommended to tourists. And for good reason. We stopped by for lunch and were blown away by the food. We ordered two appetizers and a shashlik, and we left feeling stuffed.
The 'Three Sisters' cafe in Azau, Elbrus
The 'Three Sisters' cafe in Azau, Elbrus
The 'Three Sisters' cafe in Azau, Elbrus
The 'Three Sisters' cafe in Azau, Elbrus
The 'Three Sisters' cafe in Azau, ElbrusAfter lunch, we headed to the local market to check out the local produce. You can find everything from jam and sweets to tea and warm clothing. It's a great place to pick up some souvenirs.
The market in Azau, Elbrus
The market in Azau, Elbrus
The market in Azau, ElbrusOur second trip to Elbrus was a completely different experience from the first. We were part of a group of 12 people, and we didn't get any great photos because of it. Here's why:
Firstly, we didn't make it to Cheget. Some of our group found it to be less than impressive.
Secondly, while we were climbing to the top station, the weather suddenly changed to strong snow and wind. That's how Elbrus greeted us. You can barely see anything in this photo.
We got caught in a fierce snowstorm on top of Elbrus with howling winds.I couldn't help but notice the sun shining brightly in the distance.
The wind was biting, so we quickly snapped a few photos and headed back down.
We'd only gone halfway when our gondolas started swaying violently. The cable car was shut down, and we were left hanging over a steep slope for what felt like an eternity. I was getting a little anxious, to be honest. My friend was on the verge of a panic attack. I don't want to scare anyone, but if you're afraid of heights, be aware that these are mountains. After three minutes, we continued our descent, and it was all over. We were safe.
Our final destination was the Narzan Valley. It's a great place to explore, with plenty of cafes and mineral springs. If you're visiting the narzans, be sure to bring a refillable bottle to collect some of the delicious water. The springs are famous for their high iron content – I'd never seen anything like it.
Narzan Valley, Prielbrusye
Narzan Valley, PrielbrusyeThe weather in the mountains is notoriously unpredictable. One minute it's pouring rain, the next it's sunny – all within the span of an hour.
Narzan Valley, Prielbrusye
Narzan Valley, PrielbrusyeOverall, I'd highly recommend visiting Elbrus, no matter the weather. My husband and I have traveled extensively, and this was a fantastic experience.