Elbrus Expedition Off To A Good Start

June 28, 2017

IMG has a custom Elbrus group over in Russia right now and it’s time to update family and friends on their progress.  Good news is that there’s nothing but good news.  Everyone’s travel to Russia went smoothly and luggage arrived just like it was supposed to.  Airport pickups in St. Petersburg were right on schedule thanks to my old friend and partner in Russia, Igor Tsaruk.  Trip got off to a great start.

After a needed nights rest, the first full day was filled with touring in St. Petersburg.  After breakfast at the hotel, the team meets up with an English speaking tour guide and fills the day with everything possible.  Hermitage, St. Isaacs, Fortress of Peter and Paul, an afternoon boat tour on the Neva – all the good stuff.  Next day’s flight to Mineralnye Vody went and scheduled and we actually met up with one of our team members there.  It actually worked!  4 hours later by van and the team was having a late supper in Terskol.

Yesterday was their first scheduled acclimatization hike.  Done.  Always good to stretch the legs and start letting the body know there’s some work ahead.  Training tomorrow up on the glacier with more acclimatization.

Bottom line, with Charlotte Austin and Igor Tsaruk at the helm, the group is bound to have a good time.

Phil Ershler