Everything you need to know for Mt. Elbrus

[Buddha]

As we are a group from the 7 Summits forum that will go to Mt. Elbrus this coming summer I thought I would throw up this FAQ and hopefully some of the more experienced mountaineers can give us advice and do's and don'ts...

Please, stay on topic so you don't start discussing Aconcagua in this thread as well as a previous thread

If you have any questions ask away here in this topic!

I will start with a few questions...

1. I've seen in a couple of other threads the ongoing discussion about boots. Harry is recommending plastic boots. Any special kind or will any plastic boot do fine?
Koflach Arctis Expe is the one that pops into my head that I would like to purchase. Is this boot warm enough for other mountains as well of the great 7?

2. Ok, I have this thing about going to the "bathroom" on high altitude... I don't have any questions about #1. That's easy enough for a guy. But what about #2? Let's say that I am on my way to the summit, being on one of those looong slopes that you can see on pics from Elbrus. Returning to go to the "bathroom" is out of the question and I can't just drop my pants right there in the middle of the trail where everyone else is going past me. What to do? I mean, on some parts there just isn't a place to cover up... Do you dig a shelter or something a bit away from the trail or what?

[Mari]

Will Scarpa Vega double plastic boots be ok?

[7summits]

Will Scarpa Vega double plastic boots be ok?

Yes, more than perfect. Usable for Aconcagua as well. 

[Mari]

Ok, thanks...

[Mari]

Another question concerning footwear...(I wanna protect my feet as well as possible  )

Gaiters...plain or insulated?

[MikeW]

The gaiters, plain but tough like the OR Expedition Crocodiles, because of the crampons. I destroyed a pair of normal gaiters that weren't tough enough with the crampons on Elbrus.

Insulated gaiters or preferably overboots would be good on Denali I've heard.

MikeW

[Mari]

Thankyou very much...

[lucas]

Hi... i wanna know if there is any expedition about july/ august 2005... I´m fro Argentina, i´m Aconcagua summiter and i´n interested in Elbrus summit... I´ll be in Cyprus from April to October... Please if anybody knows how can i get a guide an how much does it cost, make me now it.
thanks...

[7summits]

Hi... i wanna know if there is any expedition about july/ august 2005... I´m fro Argentina, i´m Aconcagua summiter and i´n interested in Elbrus summit... I´ll be in Cyprus from April to October... Please if anybody knows how can i get a guide an how much does it cost, make me now it.
thanks...

Hi Lucas,

yes there are many scheduled climbs in July, just see the Elbrus trip page for all dates and prices:
http://7summits.com/elbrus/trips.php

Best regards,
Harry
 

[lucas]

thanks for your answer, but i need something else... i mean something that you can offer me without beeing an 11 days expedition... I need to know exactly if i can get a guide at the mountain and how much does it cost... i also need to know the prices for equipment rental (plastic boots, crampons, etc).
thanks

[Buddha]

Lucas, check out Pilgrim Tours at www.pilgrim-tours.com

They offer the stuff that you want!

[lucas]

Hi Bubba!!! thanks for your advice... i´ll visit this web... Are you gonna be in the summit on July or August??? Regards... Lucas (from Argentina)

[Buddha]

BUBBA? Damn man, do you see a shrimp boat somewhere around me? No, there is only a glowing halo around my head  

We will leave for Elbrus in the beginning of August and thus we will hopefully be on the summit around the 10th of August.

[lucas]

Hello Man... sorry for my mistake... Buddha!!!
A want to thank you for the information you gave me. I'd like to go to de summit with you if i could, but i'm afraid i'll have my days off between 19th and 28th August... Anyway i'll try to contact Pilgrim Tours and do it...
Wish you the best in the summit...
Regards
Lucas