i think it 's too early to talk about it . I climbed Elbrus twice summited once. i would make it again , but i haven 't decided yet

sjarelkwint wrote:just trying to convince people. How long before heading to Russia do you need to take care of your visum?

I started to fix my visa (invitations, vouchers, etc.) in April and went in late June. It was enough with time but to be sure its better to be out in time. I had to go to the embassy twice because ive had missed some papers...

sjarelkwint wrote:just trying to convince people. How long before heading to Russia do you need to take care of your visum?

i usially make my summer's plans in april . As regards the visa
I have nothing to say becouse i live in Russia
There is no need for me to take care of visa to go to Caucasus . i think ther is a lot of people here who knows about it

more info http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... lbrus.html
for those who's interested in it

of course i 've forgotten to mention this. Great respect to Scott for this page

we slept in our tent at Pastuhova Rocks . i think it made our summitattempt a lot easier. we had warm sleeping bags and put on all warm clothes . i slept well

sjarelkwint wrote:which is by the way a great page of scott ...

Considering of sleeping in tents instead of sleeping in the barrels.
Anyone who has done that before overhere?

Don't wanne make the summitattempt that hard and sleeping up the barrels would make summitday a lot shorter and easier ...

I did Elbrus in alpine style with a tent. Started from Azau village and camped at this four following places:

2200m Hotel > Started walking from Azau Village
3100m C1 > Halfway between Krugozor and Mir liftstation
3750m C2 > Halfway between Mir liftstation and the Barrels
4200m C3 > Above priut 11
4700m C4 > Pasthukova Rocks
Summit day and back to Pashtukova. Down to Azau the following day

We made this trip on 5 days and 1 day down to Azau. This itenary was enough for us to get acclimatizated during the walk, but that depends on person to person, and from time to time.

sjarelkwint wrote:which is by the way a great page of scott ...

Considering of sleeping in tents instead of sleeping in the barrels.
Anyone who has done that before overhere?

Don't wanne make the summitattempt that hard and sleeping up the barrels would make summitday a lot shorter and easier ...

If you want to climb Elbrus without using the snowcat, then you should definantly camp up at the Pastuchov rocks. Barrels to the summit is nearly 2 kilometers vertical otherwise, and then you're only halfway there...not very easy to do in one day unless you're name is reinhold or something

I'll be in the area with 3 others from June 10 - 22...any russian-speakers care to join us?

Hi there!
My plan too is to try Elbrus 21-25 July.
no cables!

day 1: Azau-Cheget peak-Azau
day 2: Azau-Barrels
day 3: Barrels-Pashtuhova rocks-Priut 11
day 4: Priut 11 - summit
day 5: extra day

will arrange LITE-pack from Pilgrim tours.
cheers, André

andre hangaard wrote:Hi there!
My plan too is to try Elbrus 21-25 July.
no cables!

day 1: Azau-Cheget peak-Azau
day 2: Azau-Barrels
day 3: Barrels-Pashtuhova rocks-Priut 11
day 4: Priut 11 - summit
day 5: extra day

will arrange LITE-pack from Pilgrim tours.
cheers, André

Try from the north . there are no cables , nor ratracks and surroundings are more beautiful

sjarelkwint wrote:
Is it safe to do it without the cable?

it's quite safe

andre hangaard wrote:
day 1: Azau-Cheget peak-Azau
day 2: Azau-Barrels
day 3: Barrels-Pashtuhova rocks-Priut 11
day 4: Priut 11 - summit
day 5: extra day

cheers, André

i think it will be a difficult climb unless you are well trained

sjarelkwint wrote:

andiy wrote:

sjarelkwint wrote:
Is it safe to do it without the cable?

it's quite safe

so there won't be russian ninja-fighters steeling my soup ... nice!

but there might be Caucasian ninja-fighters stealing all your things

sjarelkwint wrote:july 20 - july 30
no lifts
normal route

anyone interested?

rather having no guides

Yes I might be going. What type of tent are you taking.Two man three man..Bivvi bag.!