More Than a Climb: 10 Fun Facts about Mt Elbrus

Within the international climbing community, Mt. Elbrus is well-known as Europe’s highest peak, or one of the 7 Summits.  But how well-known is it outside of the climbing community?  In my experience, not very!  There are actually lots of interesting historical and cultural tidbits about Mt. Elbrus that touch many facets of life you may […]

Your Travel Guide to Ingushetia: Land of the Towers!

They say that good things come in small packages.  This is definitely the case with Ingushetia!  Despite being Russia’s smallest state, Ingushetia is well-worth a visit for its beautiful mountain landscapes, ancient towers, and unique cultural traditions.  Keep reading for practical details on how to visit this hidden gem of the North Caucasus, including access […]

South Route or North Route? Comparing the two routes to Mt. Elbrus’s Summit

Every summer, thousands of foreigners flood into the Caucasus Mountains of Russia to climb Mt. Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak.  At first glance, the obvious route to climb is the South Route, the most popular of options among climbers (i.e. 80-90% of climbers choose the South Route).  With that being said, the North Route is growing […]

How to train to climb Mount Elbrus – Fitness, Endurance and Altitude

We are often asked the questions: “What is the best way to train for Mount Elbrus?” or “How can I train for climbing Mount Elbrus while living at low elevation?”  Most climbers have heard that high altitude is one of the greatest challenges of climbing Mount Elbrus. Therefore, they want to know how to train […]

Visual Gear List for Mount Elbrus

Climbing Gear Summit Pack (25 – 30 Liter) available for rent Your summit pack is the backpack you will climb with on summit day. It should be large enough to hold your extra layers and gear as well as water and food. You will also find this useful on your acclimatization hikes. Certain models can […]

Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to […]

Is Mt. Elbrus a Technical Climb?

Mount Elbrus, the crown jewel of the Caucasus Mountain Range, is the highest peak in Europe, making it one of the coveted 7 summits. It is often the second of the Seven Summits attempted by climbers (Mt. Kilamanjaro in Africa being the first) and considered one of the “easiest”. A quick glance at any picture […]

Is The North Caucasus Safe?

With all the different events going on in the world today, an obvious thing to consider before you travel is the safety of the country you will be in. HOW SAFE IS THE RUSSIAN CAUCASUS RIGHT NOW? From our years of experience, we have found that it is highly unlikely that you will be put […]

7 Things You Should Know Before Climbing Mt. Elbrus

“Trusted tips from an experienced mountain guide” So, you have heard the call of the mountains and want to climb Mount Elbrus? The allure of this mountain, standing at 5642 meters (18,510 feet), draws thousands every year, seeking to ascend to its snowy heights. It is the highest mountain in Europe, making it one of […]

Climbing Elbrus in Style: LEAPRus Barrel Huts at 3,912 meters

You’re well on your way to conquering the 7 summits. You’ve already climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa. Maybe you’ve summited Aconcagua in South America and Denali in Alaska too. Regardless of what order you do them in, the road to the 7th summit Everest, always goes through Mt. Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain. You’ve probably read up […]

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