Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
|
Snowdog
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:03 pm
|
|
|
I've been home a couple of weeks, so felt it was time I put up a report. I recently traveled to Russia to visit St. Petersburg, Moscow & attempt Mt. Elbrus, the highest point in Europe.
From Wikipedia: Mt. Elbrus is the highest mountain in Russia and in Europe, and the tenth most prominent peak in the world. A dormant volcano, Elbrus is in the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, near the border with Georgia.
*I had trouble with Flickr writing this- so pics are not labeled individually, just Album name- sorry.*
My trip began with arrival in St. Petersburg. At welcome dinner I met my climbing partners & guides. The group included several fellas from Canada, an Italian, a Serbian, and Americans from Texas, Colorado, & east coast. Some were on a 7 Summit quest- one had done Everest already. My guides were Vern & Carole Tejas- who are legends in the guiding & climbing world. Vern is coming out with a book in August called Seventy Summits. I felt privileged and honored to be climbing with them. They were personable & so knowledgable about the region. They also love guiding & helping people reach their goals, and it shows.
We spent the first few days touristing around. A visit to The Hermitage provided 'overstimulation' due to viewing priceless works of art for hours & hours. We also visited the Peter & Paul Fortress, with tombs of Tzars Nicholas & family.
After St. Petersburg, we flew to Mineral Vody. Flying domestically in Russia was challenging. Trying to figure out what gate we were to go to was, um, confusing.
Elbrus
In the airport, I saw interesting things- a Putin calendar
Elbrus Elbrus
And chips in flavors never before seen!
Elbrus Elbrus
Flight was delayed several hours, then had long, scary drive up Baksam valley to our hut in Terskol.
Elbrus
The driver spoke no English, and was speeding so much & passing recklessly, all while a Russian Bollywood movie was playing overhead. We were all terrified. We finally resorted to Google translate to ask him to slow down. He did- somewhat.
The next days were acclimation hikes near the Georgia border.
This was an interesting way to slow down an avalanche!
Elbrus
After a few days in the valley, we ascended to our "pods" or barrels at about 12.700'.
photo 4 photo 1
We would spend the next several days here, doing further acclimation hikes, self-arrest practice, etc.
Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus
The self arrest day was exhausting because we did every position over & over- for hours. "Falling" and then hiking back up the 50-60' over & over- at 13K.
Finally it was summit day- we left the pods at about 3am. It was bitterly cold with high winds.
I had on: thick wool base layers, a light puffy, a hard shell, a wool hat, two hoods, THEN a BIG puffy over all that, with hood up. Face mask, googles , 8000 meter mittens with hand warmers. Double boots with toe warmers.
Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus Elbrus
And finally, after many hours of climbing, some on fixed lines, we summited. Most made it.
Elbrus Elbrus
Some had a sense of humor, even at this altitude.
Elbrus
We had 3 physicians on the trip one of which did the Docs without Borders.
After summit day we descended back to Terskol. The next day we went to a "fishing cafe" where one catches your lunch! Super fun!
Elbrus Elbrus
Then it was back down the twisty road to fly to Moscow. We spent a few days here as well. It was quite cosmopolitan- and huge- over 14 million people. Visited the Kremlin, Red Square, and many other sites. Then an insanely early departure- 2am! for a 6am flight. Moscow has worse traffic woes than we do!
This was a really enjoyable trip both culturally and for the adventure. I enjoyed Russia- it's people, it's history and especially the Baksam valley- so unspoiled.
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
|
Back to top |
|
|
RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5634 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
|
RichP
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:29 pm
|
|
|
Congratulations! You do the coolest stuff.
|
Back to top |
|
|
BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
|
|
BarbE
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:37 pm
|
|
|
Snowdog wrote: | Elbrus |
Not a bit surprised you'd be leading the pack Awesome trip and pictures!
Congrats on tagging another of the Seven Summits.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Distel32 Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2014 Posts: 961 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
|
Distel32
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:14 pm
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
|
zephyr
aka friendly hiker
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:40 pm
|
|
|
Snowdog wrote: | And finally, after many hours of climbing, some on fixed lines, we summited. Most made it.
Elbrus |
Wow! Just wow. The places you go. Congratulations! ~z
|
Back to top |
|
|
Waterman Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2015 Posts: 590 | TRs | Pics Location: Big Snow Quadrangle |
|
Waterman
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:53 pm
|
|
|
"The hermitage provided over stimulation"
The Jordan staircase blew my mind walking in. So much great art. Counted 27 Rembrandts in one room alone.
Wonderful country to visit.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
|
Back to top |
|
|
dicey custom title
Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 2870 | TRs | Pics Location: giving cornices a wider berth |
|
dicey
custom title
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 6:22 pm
|
|
|
Nice!!
I really like the blowing snow backlit climbers photo
|
Back to top |
|
|
mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Looks great! Very interesting trip. Glad you had such a good time. I guess winter trips here will now be mild compared to that cold summit day!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zloi Member
Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 129 | TRs | Pics Location: Burien, haven for the helpless & homeless |
|
Zloi
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:17 pm
|
|
|
Congrats on a challenging summit! Can you clarify what your summit date was and who your summit mates were? Was this a paid-guide climb? (You can PM me if you don't want this conversation public.) Thank you.
|
Back to top |
|
|
geyer Member
Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 463 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
|
geyer
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:43 pm
|
|
|
Snowdog wrote: | Elbrus Elbrus |
EPIC
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Wonderful! I might have some questions for you after I return home from my current trip, if you're open to that. Hope to get there sometime in the next few years.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chico Member
Joined: 30 Nov 2012 Posts: 2500 | TRs | Pics Location: Lacey |
|
Chico
Member
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 9:41 pm
|
|
|
Snowdog wrote: | Elbrus |
That is so funny.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
|
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
|
Thu Jul 27, 2017 11:53 pm
|
|
|
Great trip and photos. How was the beer in Russia?
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Great TR, congrats on Elbrus. I too loved traveling in the old USSR when I was there many years ago.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Stefan Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5093 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Stefan
Member
|
Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:43 am
|
|
|
wow. that is so awesome for you! congrats on having a great time! I still can't believe the Alaskan legend Vern Tejas is still guiding--wowza.
|
Back to top |
|
|
|