Tag: 5000 meter peak
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Elbrus Logistics Explained
Elbrus Logistics can be a nightmare to those not experienced in Third World travel. Not to say that it’s in an undeveloped nation, but it has many of the same adventure travel perils to consider. Elbrus Logistics Question: Recently on my Facebook Page, someone asked this question about Elbrus Logistics. Did you use Pilgrim Tours?…
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Elbrus Race 2013 Wrap-up
As I prepared for the Elbrus Race 2013 with my team mate Todd Gilles, I worked hard to increase my fitness for the vertical ascent of the Classic, from the Barrels Huts to the summit of Elbrus at approximately 18,500′. Normally you do that a couple days after the Qualifier, about half of the distance…
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Elbrus Race 2013 Itinerary: Food and Transportation
Todd and I will be following this itinerary, as posted on the ElbrusRace.com website: 15.09.2013 1 Flight arrival to Min Vody. Transfer to Baksan Valley Hotel Elba HB __D 16.09.2013 2 Acclimatization walking nearby. Hotel Elba HB B_D 17.09.2013 3 Transfer to Azau lift station. The opening of the competition. Going up to refuge “Barrels”…
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Elbrus Race 2013 Weather on the Way
We’ll be arriving in Moscow on September 15, 2013. From there we fly to Mineralnye Vody where we will be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel just outside Cheget, just down the road from Azau, where the tram and gondola go to the Barrels Huts on Elbrus. I checked the weather…
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Elbrus Race Tourist Itinerary 2013
Recently in my Facebook Page I commented that it would be fun to see if anyone wanted to climb Elbrus, one of the Seven Summits, during the Race this year. I am in the process of ironing out the details with my Russian Guide friend, but I have been able to get a prospective itinerary.…
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Crevasses on Elbrus
Crevasses on Elbrus are rare on the normal route. If you wander below the Saddle it is much worse. This is easy to do on the descent if there is poor visibility due to weather. This has happened quite a few times in the last few years. I was there last September, as recorded in…
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Orizaba Mountain Clothing for Upper Body
When Todd and I climbed Orizaba on May 5 2013 it was a pretty warm day with very good conditions. The mountain clothing we were able to wear that day probably won’t reflect average conditions. Previously I discussed the mountain clothing I wore on my lower body during our summit attempt. This time I will…
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Safe Water in Mexico with Purificup
Before I left for Orizaba I was concerned about getting safe water in Mexico. I’ve been sick on a few mountains before. I didn’t want to risk this summit on bad water. I went to Orizaba in 2008 and was too weak and inexperienced to finish. I felt ready this time. I have been using…
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Orizaba – The Highest Mountain in Mexico: clothing below the belt
Orizaba, at approximately 18,500′ is the highest mountain in Mexico. I went to climb it with my friend Todd Gilles in March of 2013. It was quite warm, and after only one night at base camp, in our little tent, we went on an acclimatization hike starting at about 10:30 AM. Quite late. We ended…
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Elbrus 2012 Summit Day
It was a cold night without heat in the Barrel Hut #4 where I slept at the 12,300′ level on Elbrus in Russia, and I slept fitfully. At 5:30 I stepped out to check conditions and though it was very cold and windy, the sky was clear, so I prepared to go. It was slowly…