I'll be in Elbrus area for 9 days starting on 29 May. Can anyone here give me some idea of the snow conditions I can expect, in particular at lower elevations? How long will the trek up from Terskol to Barrel huts take with a heavy pack (avoiding the cable lifts)?
Also, anyone familiar with the alternate route from Terskol to Diesel huts which runs east of the main route (one that goes through the observatory and Ice Camp)? Will the crevasse danger be worse with snow? Can it be done in a (very long) day?
Lastly, can we expect to find running water at Barrel and Diesel huts that time of the year?
Thanks in advance.