August 6, 2018

Final acclimatization hike today.  Weather was good so the team’s thinking tonight for a summit attempt.  Forecast is a little ‘iffy’ in the days ahead so a shot tonight seems like the right decision.  Acclimatization has gone well and members have been handling the altitude well.  Let’s keep fingers crossed, hoping the weather holds and that every is able to perform well tomorrow.  It’s game day.

Phil Ershler

August 5, 2018

Team is growing (Sasha Sak)

Uneventful trip to the hut on Elbrus today.  Another acclimatization hike followed getting settled into the hut.  You can’t rush acclimatization so one final hike follows tomorrow.  Then it’s time.  Trick is to be ready when the weather and the mountain say it’s time to go.

Getting close now.

Phil Ershler

August 4, 2018

Second day of acclimatization and training on the lower slopes of Elbrus.  A little bit of everything, weather-wise, today.  Rain, fog, hail and sun.

Back at the hotel in the valley for tonight.  Tomorrow’s the move up to the hut.  At least two nights there prior to taking a shot at the top.  A little nice weather soon would be nice.

Phil Ershler

August 3, 2018

Acclimatization Hike (Sasha Sak)

Our second team for the season is in the Baksan Valley, Russia now, preparing for their Mt. Elbrus climb.  This is a custom climb comprised of a mother/son team and a father/son team.  After training with IMG in the Northeast this winter, they set sights on Elbrus this month.  And…so far, so good.  The team went in through Moscow and will be heading out at trip’s end through St. Petersburg.  Leading their climb is one of our Russian guides, Alexandra ‘Sasha’ Sak.  Besides being a strong, competent mountaineer and guide, Sasha trained as an interpreter so her English skills are excellent. She lives in the Baksan Valley during the season and knows everyone in town.

After some sightseeing in Moscow, the group met Sasha in Mineralnye Vody for the ride up to the village of Terskol.  Now the acclimatization process begins.  A little for their hike to the Observatory but that’s OK, just means they’ll have good weather for the summit attempt.

Phil Ershler