"Undoubtedly the difficulties of everyday travel in the Caucasus exhaust much of that energy which finds vent in Switzerland in scaling the highest peaks, but...it is quite impossible to convey in words any idea of the beauty of the landscape, or grandeur of scale which placed the scenery beyond comparison with any of the snow-sights of Switzerland"

Douglas Freshfield

Leader of the British expedition, first climbed West summit of Elbrus in 1868.

Nowadays the traveller does not meet those "difficulties of everyday travel". The road net, even though pretty backward in comparison with the Alps, is adequate enough for getting from the airports and railway stations to any settlement, hotel or mountaineering base in several hours...

For decades, asked about the highest and most dramatic mountains of Europe nine out of ten Europeans (not to mention Americans) used to answer "the Alps". Yet, the grandest and by far the highest mountain chain of Europe (six summits over 5000m plus Mt.Elbrus with its 5642m) is the Caucasus tucked away in the south-eastern corner of Europe.

With the advent of the Seven Summits boost, Mt. Elbrus came in full view as one of these 7 gems.

So, climbing Elbrus: what is it?

"The highest point of Europe, an easu snowy trekking peak". Full stop. This is what most people in the West would know about climbing Elbrus, at best. It is true at bottom of fact. Yet no catalogue of any trekking company will never stress the point that it is true only on condition that you are reasonably healthy, fit, well acclimatised, well equipped and the weather is reasonably good. Yet all these chances of success are doubled if you take an experienced Elbrus guide.