Climb Elbrus in Russia with the Outdoor Adventure Club

July 10 - 22, 2011

St Petersburg Extension July 22-25

Climb Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. Along with Aconcagua in South America, and Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus is the 3rd of the "seven summits" on which the OAC offers summit attempts. Not technically demanding, climbing Elbrus is a great mix of international travel, culture, and physical challenge. The mountain rises up 18,510 feet, making it the highest mountain in Europe!

In addition to having a great Outdoor Adventure Club guide on the trip, we work with Russian guides who have summited the mountain countless times, and have the local connections required to smooth out some of the rough edges of travel in Russia. Our itinerary gives you a great chance for success on the mountain, while fitting into a traditional two week vacation, and giving you a chance to see some of Moscow.

Trip Itinerary:

Day One : Arrive in Moscow, transfer to hotel. Shake off the effects of international travel and get ready for an adventure!

Day Two: City tour of Moscow- See the Kremlin, Red Square, St Basil's, the GUM. We'll travel on streets by private van and through the beautiful and efficient Moscow subway. According to many, the "public" subway was constructed to hide the more extensive secret KGB subway that hides under the city.

This is also a great day to reunite with lost luggage and missed flights.

Day Three: Fly to Mineralniye Vody (2 hours) mini van ride to Cheget, at the base of Elbrus (4 hours). We'll be staying in comfortable, clean and modern hotel there.(dbl occupancy)

Day Four: Acclimatization hike, overnight in hotel

Day Five: Ride cable car to the comfortable Krugazol Hut on the mountain, 3100 meters. Once we're settled we'll take an acclimatization hike higher up the mountain, then return to sleep at Krugazol.

Day Six: Ride cable car and chair lift to Barrel huts, 3800 meters. Hike up to Priyut 11/ diesel hut, then descend to sleep at the barrels.

Day Seven : Move to Priyut 11/ diesel hut, 4050 meters. Once we're there we'll hike to Pastuhova Rocks, 4600 meters for acclimatization, then descend to sleep in Priyut 11.

Day Eight-Ten : Summit days!

Day Eleven: Descend mountain to Terskol, overnight in hotel.

Day Twelve: Drive from Terskol to Mineralniye Vody, fly from Mineralniye Vody to Moscow. Overnight in hotel.

Day Thirteen: Fly home from Moscow or

Day Thirteen -Sixteen: Optional extension to St. Petersburg

Day Sixteen: Fly home from Moscow

Includes:

• All accomodations in Russia-dbl occupancy
• Domestic flight: Moscow-Min Vody and back
• Transfers to and from all airports (assuming group travel)
• Guided city tour of Moscow
• All meals on the mountain
• Breakfasts and dinners in our hotel at Cheget, at the base of the mountain.
• Breakfasts in Moscow
• A local Russian climbing guide
• An American climbing guide from the Outdoor Adventure Club trained by the AMGA

Not included in the price:

• Meals in Moscow, other than breakfast
• Any meals outside of our hotel in Cheget
• Tips for your guides
• Visa fees

Please do not book airline tickets for this trip until you have been confirmed on the trip.

Pricing:
OAC Member: $3,999 (Your trip must be paid in full 60 days in advance to obtain the OAC member rate.)
Non-member: $4,100

Pricing includes the use of the snowcats for one group trip, if desired. Pricing is based on a minimum group size of 5 climbers. We can run this trip with as few as 3 climbers, but there will be an additional charge of approximately $450. Price is subject to change due to changes in exchange rate, domestic flight prices etc.

St Petersburg trip extension $675

A visit to St. Petersburg is a welcome return to the comforts of civilization. The architecture, history, culture and canals in St. Petersburg is definitely impressive. After starting our trip in Moscow and its strong Soviet history and traveling to Elbrus in rural Russia, visiting St. Petersburg will give you an entirely different perspective on Russian life.

We arrange three nights in a hotel downtown, incl. breakfast, a guided city tour by van, and a canal/ river tour, too! Your OAC guide will be there to show you the way to the Hermitage and other landmarks. You'll have time to explore the culture of the city, from its rich history as a Russian capital to its wild nightlife.

St Petersburg extension includes:

• Round trip airfare- Moscow-St Petersburg and back
• Transfers from airport to hotel and back
• Three nights in St Petersburg (dbl occupancy)
• One city tour by car
• One city tour by boat
• Breakfast in the hotel

We include the domestic round trip flight to get to/from St Petersburg in the price of the trip. The airfare can fluctuate wildly, though, and we can not guarantee the price until the flights are booked.

Let us know if you have any questions about this trip. Please send inquiries to elbrus@OutdoorAdventureClub.com

Ready to sign up for the Climb Elbrus trip? Download our registration form and either scan and email it to us at info@OutdoorAdventureClub.com, or fax it to 415 771 1891 ATTN: Richard.