Game On!

Elbrus from our hotel.

After an acclimizatization hike to Cheget peak yesterday (11,500 feet) we rode some old Soviet machinery to our camp at 13,000 feet on Mount Elbrus - 2 creaky gondolas and a death defying single chairlift put us at Basecamp, also known as the Barrels.

The barrels are used by the common folk who climb Elbrus. They are warm, but not exactly a high standard of quality (see previous post).

From this point we got our first snowcat ride up to our shelter- Adam managed to find the worst spot on the back of the cat and was promptly crushed. Sorry Emily, if you were even considering having child number 4, our cat ride has put that decision to rest.

We made it to the shelter, which is spectacular - our two nights here will be the best accommodation we have ever had on any mountain. Great shelter, wifi and even a living room with floor to ceiling windows!

Our bunk mates are 8 middle aged Russian men - nice guys with a great sense of humour.

We had some lunch and are now getting ready for an acclimatization hike in the rain. Tomorrow another hike - our summit day had been moved to Wednesday, so stay tuned!

Our chairlift to the barrels.