July 22, 2018

News from Russia this morning was good.  ALL 11 team members plus guides on the summit in VERY good weather and conditions.  One of our climbers was ready to call the saddle between the East and West peaks her high point but she dug deep, really deep, persevered and stood on top, making it 100% for this IMG team under the leadership of Jonathan Schrock and Sasha Sak.  Good team members, good guides and good weather combined for a GREAT outcome.

Folks got back to the hut without issue.  Lunch, then a nap, then dinner and now bed time.  To the valley in the morning.  We couldn’t have asked for more.  Sometimes great things happen when everyone does their part and the mountain gives us a break.  A huge congratulations to all members and the guide staff.  This was a good one.

Phil Ershler

July 21, 2018

Training and acclimatization are complete.  Team spent today hiking up to the Pastohov Rocks, about a 3 hr hike.  This was the last of their acclimatization climbs.  Weather was pretty good – a little chilly but some sun and only a light breeze.  Team’s in bed now (remember it’s 10 hrs later there as compared to Pacific Time) and will take a shot at the summit early in the morning.  Forecast looks like they’ll have an opportunity to climb.  Long day coming up but they came prepared and the team’s certainly done a good job these last several days getting ready for ‘game day’.

Wish them luck and we’ll try to let you know tomorrow how all goes.  We have a couple of contingency days built into the itinerary if more than one summit attempt is required but hopefully the weather and mountain cooperate and the team can spend those extra days having fun in the valley.

Stay tuned!

Phil Ershler

July 20, 2018

Team went to the hut yesterday and got in a hike before dinner.  The cook took good care of the team when it came to meal time.  Visibility was a bit reduced but conditions generally were very good.  Another hut/acclimatization day tomorrow.

All is good in Russia.

Phil Ershler

July 19, 2018

Reasonable weather yesterday to get in some more acclimatization and also do some technique review on the lower slopes of Elbrus.  Team is asleep now in the village of Terskol and looking forward to heading up to the hut on Elbrus tomorrow.  A couple of gondola rides, a bit of hiking and they’re there.  At least two nights at the hut before taking a summit shot.  You just can’t shortcut acclimatization!  Elbrus isn’t technically difficult but it’s a demanding summit day.  Best to go in with our guns loaded, so to speak.

Jonathan and Sasha report group is strong, healthy and getting along well.  Most of the ‘prep’ is done.  A little luck weather-wise about 3 days from now would really be nice.

We’ll let you know how it goes.

Phil Ershler

July 18, 2018

Time to catch up with our team over in Russia. After finishing up a great day of touring in St. Petersburg, the team got on a plane and headed to the city of Mineralnye Vody. Sasha Sak, another guide friend with whom we work in Russia, met the team at the airport with their private ground transportation and they then made the 3-4 hour drive to the Baksan Valley and the village of Terskol.

Next day was the team’s first acclimatization hike. There’s an observatory a couple thousand vertical feet above the valley and it makes for a perfect acclimatization hike. Plus, if the clouds cooperate, the views of Elbrus are pretty darn good.

The crew is on the lower slopes of Elbrus today. More acclimatization and an opportunity to get in a little technique refresher. We’ve got the time, we need the acclimatization, so – why not?

So far, so good.

Phil Ershler