JOIN MY Mount Elbrus expedition, Europe’s Highest Mountain, and one of the 7 Summits; August 2026 Group Tour
Join me on one of the great adventures of a lifetime: climbing Mount Elbrus (5,642m), the highest mountain in Europe, and part of the legendary Seven Summits. It’s tough BUT it’s not technical AT ALL. So if you’re fit, you can do it. Think of it as a harder (better and cooler!) Kilimanjaro.
We’ll be taking the true north route. No cable cars, no snow cats, no hotels. Just us, local mountain guides, wilderness huts, and a shot at the summit of Europe’s highest peak.
TLDR? If you can’t be bothered to read and just wanna join, you can do that HERE:
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Me at the Summit of Mount Elbrus, Russia. COME JOIN my Mount Elbrus expedition
Where is Mount Elbrus?
Mount Elbrus is in the Caucasus Mountains, straddling the divide between Europe and Asia, in southern Russia near the border with Georgia. At 5,642m, the western summit is officially Europe’s highest point, higher even than Mont Blanc.
The northern side is wild and untouched: no ski lifts, no crowds, no concrete hotels. Just the vast Caucasus steppes rolling into the horizon and glaciers above. This is how Elbrus was first climbed back in 1829. All on foot.
Is Russia Safe To Visit Now?
Yes! Especially in the Caucasus region where Elbrus sits. This area is geared toward climbers, trekkers, and spa tourists (Kislovodsk is a famous wellness town). Our itinerary is tightly managed: airport pick-ups, mountain transfers, local registration with Russian authorities, and safety procedures with GPS, radios, and guide ratios of 1:3 on summit day.
Elbrus itself is remote wilderness. No politics, no cities, no drama. Just mountains, and us, and maybe some cheap vodka.
Is it Ethical?
First off, we’re climbing with my mate’s company. He’s been decimated by this nonsense war. I want to support him. Also, if we only visited countries with clean Governments, we wouldn’t travel anywhere.
But i get it, and I get asked this a lot, so let me be upfront. My friends run the guiding company we’re working with on Elbrus. They’re local mountaineers, born and raised in the Caucasus, and they have absolutely nothing to do with politics or the war. By climbing with them, we’re supporting local people directly. Not governments.
This isn’t a vote for Russia. It’s a mountain expedition. If we applied politics to every trip, none of us would ever travel. People still go to China, the USA, Dubai, you name it, and nobody stops to frame every trip as an endorsement of those governments. It’s the same here.
For me, this is about mountains, adventure, and supporting the local climbing community. Nothing more, nothing less. I don’t want to wait around forever watching the days pass. I want to climb Elbrus, so I’m going to do it. Simple.
How About the Russian Visa?
Russia now offers e-visas for citizens of 64 countries, including most western nations.
- Cost: $52
- Processing time: about 5 working days
- Valid: 16 days, which is plenty for this expedition
The US, UK, Canada, and Australia?
Still VERY easy to visit Russia now (yes also for Americans!). We’ll send you the official visa invitation letter needed for the application, you apply via post or in person to the Russian embassy, and you can get it as quickly as the next day (if you pay for the speedy one).
Accommodation Set-up
Pretty decent to be honest.
- Twin hotel room in Kislovodsk
- (Heated!) Bed cabins at Base Camp
- 8 bed cabins at High Camp
Climbing Itinerary – North Route (10 Days, August 2026)
Day 1: Arrival in Russia
- Arrive at Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) by 14:00.
- Group transfer (50 min) to Kislovodsk.
- Evening welcome dinner + gear briefing.
- Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Base Camp (2,500m)
- 4×4 drive to Emanuel Glade Base Camp.
- Stop at Sultan Waterfall & Narzan Springs at Dzhily-Su.
- Overnight in huts at Base Camp.
Day 3: Acclimatization Hike (3,200m)
- Trek to the Stone Mushrooms for views & mountain skills intro.
- Back to Base Camp.
Day 4: Move to High Camp (3,800m)
- Hike with remaining gear through alpine meadows & moraine.
- Settle into High Camp huts.
Day 5: Acclimatization to Lenz Rocks (4,800m)
- Roped glacier travel through crevasse zone.
- Training with crampons & ice axe.
- Return to High Camp.
Day 6: Rest + Snow/Ice Training (3,800m)
- Easy day for recovery.
- Practice knots, roped glacier work, ice axe arrest.
Day 7: Summit Day! (5,642m)
- 01:00 wake-up, breakfast, headlamps on.
- 8–9 hours to summit, 4–5 hours down.
- Goal: reach West Summit (5,642m) by 13:00 latest.
- Views across the entire Caucasus.
- Return to High Camp.
Day 8: Reserve Day / Descend to Base Camp
- Extra day if weather delays summit.
- Otherwise, descend to Base Camp & celebrate.
Day 9: Return to Kislovodsk
- 4×4 transfer back.
- Celebration dinner,endless vodka + certificates.
- Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Fly Home
- Group transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV).
- Flights home from 12:00 onwards.
Guides & Safety
- Local Russian guides with full certifications.
- English-speaking support and Everest Summiter (me, Johnny Ward, joining you. Not sure how much help that is though!).
- Registered with Russian Emergency Services.
- Radios, GPS, first aid carried.
What’s Included
✅ Private airport transfers (Mineralnye Vody – Kislovodsk – return)
✅ Twin room in a Kislovodsk hotel (with breakfast)
✅ Superior Base Camp cabins – heated, 4-bed rooms
✅ Superior High Camp cabins – 8-bed huts at 3,800m
✅ All meals on the mountain (expedition chef included)
✅ Russian mountain guides throughout the expedition
✅ Extra summit-day guides (1:3 ratio)
✅ Group climbing equipment (ropes, carabiners, GPS, first aid kit)
✅ Porter services for group gear (food, ropes, shared equipment)
✅ Prielbrusie National Park entry fees
✅ Visa invitation letter & local registration
✅ Certificate of ascent + commemorative Elbrus badge
Not included:
- International flights
- Entry visa for Russia (UK/US need full tourist visa; some nationalities can use e-visa)
- Compulsory mountaineering insurance
- Rental of personal gear: crampons, ice axe, harness, poles, sleeping bag, etc.
- Porter services for personal belongings (400 rubles per kg, Base → High Camp)
- Accommodation & meals in case of early return to Kislovodsk
- Additional summit attempt if you fail the first attempt ($499)
- Optional climb of the second (East) summit ($150)
- Alcoholic beverages at the celebratory dinner
- Personal expenses & entertainment (sauna at Base Camp ~700 rubles, horse riding, fishing, etc.)
- Expenses related to unscheduled descent (transport, lodging, food, etc.)
- Gratuities for guides (at your discretion)
Elbrus Climb Dates and Price
HOW TO JOIN! SIGN UP!
You can sign up clicking HERE
Or here:
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Why Join This Mount Elbrus expedition?
Climbing Elbrus is more than ticking off Europe’s highest mountain. The North Route is the authentic way. I did it the ‘wrong’ South way last time. This time it’s a real expedition, wild and untamed.
As i said, no ski lifts, no snow cats, no crowds. Just glaciers, huts, and the bond of a climbing team pushing together for the summit.
And you won’t be alone. I’ll be climbing alongside you, every step of the way. Complaing ing and moaning probably. Ready to join? Spots are limited (comfort huts especially). Secure your place for August 2026 and stand on top of Europe’s highest mountain with us.
Mount Elbrus expedition
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