Mount Elbrus - Ultra Challenge

climb
Mount Elbrus
actionchallenge on Mount Elbrus
Our ascent of Mount Elbrus begins in the foothills of the lower Caucasus. Elbrus, an inactive volcano, is one of the
famous Seven Summits and, at 5,642 m, is the highest mountain in Europe. It’s a fantastic, rewarding challenge - all
you need is an adventurous team spirit, good fitness and two weeks out of the office.
We begin our challenge from Kislovodsk, in the heart of the lower Caucasus. From here we carry out acclimatisation
climbs, ascending progressively higher each day, practicing our crampon, rope and ice axe techniques. From Base
Camp we climb through the rocky moraine of the Mikelchiran Glacier to our next camp at 3,600 m far above the
grasslands, with stunning views across the glaciers and the lower Caucasus range. Together we make the climb to Lenz
Rocks, crossing several crevasses, and prepare for our bid to reach the summit of Mount Elbrus.
The ascent to the top is tough but exhilarating, beginning with a glacier climb to the saddle between the two summits at
5,416 m. We work as a team to climb up the next steep section to the ridge and, after a final short push, we reach the
summit at 6,642 m. We are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Caucasus from the highest point in Europe.
Back in the spa town of Kislovodsk we celebrate our ascent to the summit of Mount Elbrus with a traditional Russian
sauna, dinner and fine chilled vodka with our new friends.
at a glance
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Activity: Trekking - Altitude
Location: Mount Elbrus, Russia
Duration: 12 days / 8 - 9 days trekking
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 40 km
Group size: 15 -25
trip highlights
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Take on one of the seven summits of the world
Trek through the heart of the lower Caucasus
Climb through the Mikelchiran Glacier
Use crampons and practice ice axe techniques
Stand upon the magnificent Lenz Rocks
Peer from the highest mountain in Europe
Indulge in a classic Russian sauna
Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups,
charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world’s most exhilarating locations,
often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime
adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.
w w w .a c t ionc ha lle nge .c om
Climb
Mount Elbrus
introduction
This fully-inclusive adventure to the summit of Mount Elbrus will begin as soon as you
register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and
discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we
will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and
fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where
you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in
challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your group and
Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you’re joining the challenge
on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will
board our flight to Moscow, ready to take on Mount Elbrus and the climb of a lifetime!
Please visit our website for more details
All inclusive trip cost from £2,349
Initial £399 deposit to sign up
Three payment options available
Please visit our website for more details
brief itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Depart London
Kislovodsk
Caucasus
Base camp 2,200 m
3,100 m
High camp 3,600 m
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation 5,000 m
Elbrus Summit 5,642 m
Base camp
Kislovodsk
Arrive in London
what’s included
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International and domestic flights
Action Challenge trek leader
Full support team, including local guides
UK medic
All accommodation
All meals, except in free time
Airline taxes
Treated drinking water
All transfers in local vehicles
National Park entrance fees
Celebration dinner in Kislovodsk
Invitation to a challenge briefing in London
Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia
Fitness and training guide
Discounts from UK retailers
Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health
The Mount Elbrus climb is a tough
challenge at altitude, over a prolonged
period of time. The highest point stands
at 5,642 m and the terrain is varied with
some steep uphill climbs so a good level
of fitness is required.
Why not stay on after the challenge and
explore some more of Russia’s highlights?
Extensions include trips to:
● Moscow
● St. Petersburg
Please email us for more information
July and August are considered the best
months to climb Mount Elbrus.
Temperatures are usually higher than in
the previous months whilst the snow is
often firmer and gives a better footing for
the climb.
+44 (0) 207 609 6695
www.actionchallenge.com
events@actionchallenge.com
Climb
Mount Elbrus
itinerary
DAY 1 - Depart UK
We depart from London for our overnight flight to Moscow.
Meals: L,D* Accom: Flight / Hotel * *(dependent on flight schedule)
Breakfasts each morning will be in camp.
Lunches will be en route and evening
meals will be freshly prepared in camp in
time for your arrival. In Kislovodsk, all
meals will be at the hotel or a local
restaurant, except in free time.
All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein
and nutrients to keep us well fuelled
throughout the trip.
DAY 2 - Mineralny Vody
We arrive in Moscow and change terminals for our two hour domestic flight to Mineralny
Vody. On arrival, we transfer to the town of Kislovodsk, the last town before the lower
steppes of the Caucasus. At our hotel and we meet our team of guides who’ll be with
us for our journey. This afternoon we have a full briefing and organise our gear for the
climb.
We can cater for all dietary requirements
if informed in advance.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
• 2/3 nights in a comfortable 2/3* hotel
in Kislovodsk / Mineralny Vody
• 8 nights in tents on the trek
DAY 3 - 5 Mt. Elbrus Base Camp
We leave the luxury of our hotel and set off on a four hour drive that takes us into the
heart of the foothills of the lower Caucasus. We stay in Mt. Elbrus Base Camp at 2,200m
for three days to carry out acclimatization climbs. We ascend progressively higher each
day to 3,100 m and 3,600 m, taking supplies to our next camp and practicing our
crampon, rope and ice axe technique.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent
All
accommodation
is
on
a
dorm/twin/triple-share, single-sex basis
and we will pair you with someone of a
similar age, where possible.
If you wish to share a room with someone
you are travelling with, please specify this
on your registration form.
DAY 6 - High Camp
Today we start early, heading for High Camp. We climb out of the high grasslands and
into the alpine zone, with stunning views across the glaciers of Mt. Elbrus and the lower
Caucasus to the north. The last stretch of the climb leads over the rock moraine of the
Mikelchiran Glacier before we arrive at our camp.
If you decide that you would like to have
your own room / tent on the challenge, we
can accommodate this in the majority of
places.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent
Please email us for more information
DAY 7 - 8 - High altitude acclimatisation 3,900 m - 5000 m
We base ourselves at High Camp for two days to further acclimatise. On the first day
we climb up to the Lenz Rocks before spending a more relaxed second day in
preparation for our bid to reach Elbrus summit tomorrow.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent
+44 (0) 207 609 6695
www.actionchallenge.com
• Insurance - approximately £60
• Travel Visa - £28
• Vaccinations - up-to-date on boosters.
• Tips for local staff - recommended
amount £30
• Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as
applied by airlines. Please note that this is
capped at a maximum of £150.
events@actionchallenge.com
Climb
Mount Elbrus
DAY 9 - Elbrus Summit
This is a long and tough day; we wake very early to prepare for our summit attempt. We
focus on a sustained climb across the glacier to the saddle between the two summits at
5,416 m. Here the route steepens as we climb the next couple of hundred meters to the
ridge. The final slope is an easier climb and in less than half an hour we reach the
summit. Standing on the roof of Europe, weather permitting, we will be looking out
across the magnificent Caucasus range. We return to our mountain refuge and rest
after a long hard day.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent
DAY 10 - Base Camp
We continue down to Base Camp for the night. In the event of bad weather, this day can
be used as an extra summit day or for extra acclimatisation.
A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of
registration. Many everyday items can be
used on this challenge, and we offer a kit
hire service to keep costs down.
If you are planning on travelling to Russia
before the challenge or wish to organise
your own flights, we do offer a land only
option, with a significant discount off the
trip price. You will be required to meet
your group at the hotel on day two of the
itinerary.
Please email us for more information
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent
DAY 11 - Kislovodsk
We make our way from Dzhily-Su to Kislovodsk where we relax and soak our tired
muscles in a traditional Russian sauna. After days at altitude and our ascent to the
summit of Mount Elbrus it’s time to celebrate our achievement with a meal and, of
course, a chilled Russian vodka or two.
training weekends / briefings
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
DAY 12 - Flight home
We leave early in the morning for our return flight from Mineralny Vody to Moscow .
Here we catch the onward flight back to London.
Meals: B
We run a number of training weekends
throughout the year in the Peak District,
Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. These
are
fully-inclusive
2
night’s
accommodation and all meals. We also
organise training days in London and the
North and South downs. On both, you will
get the chance to meet our mountain
leaders and test out your kit and fitness!
You will also receive an invite to a
challenge briefing in central London.
• Alcoholic drinks
• Drinks and food outside of meals, other
than water
• Personal kit / equipment
• Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as
applied by airlines. Please note that this is
capped at a maximum of £150.
+44 (0) 207 609 6695
www.actionchallenge.com
events@actionchallenge.com
Climb
Mount Elbrus
payment options
A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of £399 (for 2015) is required to secure your place. We
offer 2 deposit payment options:
OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration.
OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you
register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following
month. For this option, a £10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment.
ATOL is a scheme that protects you from
losing money or being stranded abroad if
your travel company collapses. Action
Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which
provides you with full financial protection.
On receipt of your registration fee, you will
receive an ATOL certificate explaining
your protection.
Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost.
Full details are on our website.
1) SELF FUNDED
For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It’s then completely up to
you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice.
The total all inclusive cost of this trip is £2,349 (for 2015), which, after you pay the £399
Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of £1,950. This final balance is due for payment
10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline.
2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED
This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a
significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least
£3.900 (for 2015) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues,
and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total.
Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising
goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £3,900 (for 2015), your
charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid
by your charity, is £1,950 (the same as if you were you were ‘Self Funded’) - the charity
will retain at least £1,950 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel
surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.
how to book
To book on to this challenge, please visit
our website; www.actionchallenge.com
for a full list of prices and all available
dates.
private groups
If you are a charity, business, school or
private group with a minimum of 10
people and fancy your own bespoke trip,
please call us on + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 7 6 0 9 6 6 9 5
or you can send us an email to
events@actionchallenge.com
for more information.
3) MIXED FUNDED
A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also
fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for
anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is
happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your
registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights &
accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in
respect to the ‘challenge’ component of their trip.
Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising
goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,900 (for 2015), your
charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your
charity, is £1,150 At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance
yourself, which will be a figure of £800 (These two amounts add up to the same as the
‘Self Funded’ final balance) - the charity will retain at least £1,750 to help fund their
work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.
+44 (0) 207 609 6695
www.actionchallenge.com
@actionchallenge
www.facebook.com/actionchallenge
Action Challenge UK Ltd
United House
North Road
London
N7 9DP
United Kingdom
events@actionchallenge.com