September 13, 2021

Elbrus 2021 Summits! (Sasha Sak)

Getting ready to head to the summit (Sasha Sak)

IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in last night and again this morning.  Last night the report from Sasha was that “The snow had stopped falling, the night was very clear but it was a quite windy.  We are going to get ready and head out to take a look at climbing conditions.”  The team geared up in all of the warm clothes and headed out for the summit.  This turned out to be a great plan and the team climbed in great form!  Everything worked out as planned and the team had the right gear to make it to the summit of Mount Elbrus!

They are now back at the hut and will spend one more night before returning to Terskol in the morning.  What will they do to celebrate their climb of Mount Elbrus?  Well, they will visit a Russian Style Sauna of course and then head to Moscow for more sightseeing and celebration!

All is well and congratulations to our Elbrus 2021 Team on their summit!  Join IMG next summer on Elbrus!

September 12, 2021

Sunrise on Elbrus (Jonathan Schrock)

We received word from Sasha this morning that the weather forecast was accurate.  The team was up early to check conditions and made the easy call to hang tight for the day.  “A mix of snow and rain came down most of the morning and is now starting to clear.”  All good news and having another day to acclimatize is never a bad thing!  The plan for tonight is to wake up and hit the trail at 3am and the weather forecast is looking good for the climb.  We will keep you updated on the progress from Mount Elbrus as we hear more.

All is well on Mount Elbrus!

September 11, 2021

Storm clouds over the Caucasus (Sasha Sak)

Good day of hiking to Pastukov Rocks (Sasha Sak)

IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in this morning to let us know the team had a great day hiking to Pastukhov Rocks.  They left the huts early in order to give themselves enough time to get more altitude under their belts and beat the weather that was predicted to come in.  After getting up to the rocks, the storm clouds began to form and brought with it, rain, snow and thunderstorms.  With the job done for the day, the team returned to the hut and are now poised to head to the summit as weather permits.

The team is ready and will take a look at the weather tonight.  The forecast has precipitation in it tonight and the team is anticipating a possible hold pattern.  This is not a problem because we have contingency built into the program and the weather looks better for Monday.

The team also had a guest arrive at camp.  The infamous red fox that as Sasha put is is clever enough to steel good food if left around!  You never know who you might bump into on Mount Elbrus!

All is well in Russia!

September 10, 2021

Mount Elbrus from the hut (Sasha Sak)

Elbrus Team eating right at Lunch (Sasha Sak)

The Elbrus 2021 Team is now settled in at the hut at approximately 12,500 feet.  They had a great day heading up the lift and taking in the views of their objective.  On the way, the team picked up our private cook for the trip and she has not disappointed.  A great lunch followed by a short walk to familiarize everyone with the area and they are now sitting down for dinner. What’s for dinner?  Senior Guide Sasha Sak let us know that the team will be dining on Chicken fillet’s with cheese and tomatoes, rice, fresh vegetables and top it off with cake and dulce de leche.

Tomorrow, the team will climb to Pastukhov rocks at 15,000 feet for more acclimatization.  We take acclimatization seriously and Mount Elbrus is no different.  Spending the additional time to acclimatize adds to the enjoyment of the trip!

All is well on Elbrus!

September 9, 2021

Elbrus from the observatory. (Viki Tracey)

The 2021 Elbrus Team had another fantastic day of weather for training.  Sasha reviewed cramponing, self arrest, rope travel and other important skills necessary for a safe and successful climb of the mountain.  Fantastic views were the reward for their training today!  Tomorrow, the team will move up to the hut and put themselves in position to summit.  The past two days have gone exactly as planned and the team is acclimatizing well and enjoying great weather in Russia!

Join IMG next summer in Russia and climb Mount Elbrus, one of the Seven Summits!

September 9, 2021

Caucasus Range (Sasha Sak)

The Elbrus Team enjoyed another great day of weather today.  The team got a good night sleep and were ready to stretch their legs and gain some elevation.  One of our favorite acclimatization hikes takes the team to an old observatory that gains about 3,200 feet over 12 miles.  Everyone is feeling great and moving well according to IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak.  Tomorrow, the team will pack up their gear and head up the ski lifts, followed by a short hike to the huts on Mount Elbrus.  From the huts, the team will be in position to climb the mountain but not before some additional training and acclimatization.  There is no rush and we will be watching the weather for the summit bid!

All is well on Mount Elbrus!

September 7, 2021

Rafael’s Madonna (Sasha Sak)

Sasha checked in this morning to let us know the team had a great morning touring in St Petersburg.  They managed to get into the Hermitage Museum and got to see one of Rafael’s Madonna paintings.  After touring the Hermitage Museum, the team packed up and headed for the airport and their flight to Mineralnye Vody.  They are jumping in a shuttle and will be in Cheget later this evening.  Tomorrow, the team will do some trekking and acclimatizing above town.  This is an incredible area for trekking and the scenery is breathtaking!

The team is on the move and all is well in Russia!

September 6, 2021

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Sasha Sak)

It has been a beautiful day to tour around the city of St Petersburg for the team.  IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in this morning to let us know the team is doing great and enjoying some beautiful Autumn weather.  It was a full day of touring which included a visit to the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral,  the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and a boat ride through the canals in the afternoon before having a nice dinner.

Beautiful Day in St Petersburg (Sasha Sak)

Tomorrow they will visit the city a little bit more before heading to the airport for their domestic flight to Mineralnye Vody.  From Mineralnye Vody, it is about an hour to Terskol and the base of Mount Elbrus.  Sasha said she was going to continue working on bringing the good weather for our team!

All is well in Russia!

September 5, 2021

Elbrus 2021 Team in front of St Isaac’s Cathedral (Sasha Sak)

IMG Senior Guide Sasha Sak checked in today to let us know the team has arrived to St Petersburg!  We are excited to receive this news and will be looking forward to reports as the team tours beautiful St Petersburg for the next day and half.  From St Petersburg, the team will head over to Terskol and prepare for the climb of Mount Elbrus!

All is well in St Petersburg!