Mt. Elbrus, Russia, Expedition

Each of the 20 expeditions Mike has lead to Mt. Elbrus have stood on top with over 100 people summiting under Mike’s direct guidance. 

You don’t get better odds than that. 

Climb Mt. Elbrus with Mike Hamill, 6-time Everest Summiteer, 6-time Seven Summiteer, the non-Sherpa Cho Oyu summit record holder, and author of “Climbing the Seven Summits.”  

Over 150 people have summited 8000m peaks under Mike’s direct guidance.

Expedition Highlights: 

• See Russia: Experience the power of walking through Red Square and the Kremlin and all that Moscow, St Petersburg, and the Causcasus mountain range have to offer
• Tour both Moscow and St. Petersburg
• Go for a boat ride through the many serpentine canals of St Petersburg after walking the famous grounds of the Church of Spilled Blood
• The Caucuses: This mountain range rivals the Alps but is less well known and has fewer people Experience Russian culture
• Eat “Shashlik,” Russian BBQ in a traditional Balkarian-Karbardinian town
• Watch the sunrise over Georgia and Peak “7” from high on the slopes of Elbrus
• Take a photo in front of the famous St Basil’s cathedral
• Unwind and enjoy a traditional Russian “banya” (sauna) following your climb

Expedition Intro

Explore Russia with Climbing the Seven Summits! There is no better excuse to see Russia, both St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the remote Caucasus mountain range then climbing Mt. Elbrus. Climbing Mt. Elbrus and touring St Petersburg and Moscow is truly a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed. Many will remember a time when Russia was off limits to Americans but it has now opened it’s doors and welcomes us to explore it’s cultural exoticism and mystique. Mount Elbrus in Russia is one of the Seven summits being the highest mountain in Europe, rising 18,510 feet (5642 m) above sea level. The crown jewel of the Caucasus Mountains it is an extinct volcano that last erupted in 50 AD. Today its crater is glaciated and filled with snow and ice. The Caucasus range stretches 700 miles (1125 km) in length and is sand- wiched between the Caspian and Black Seas. To the north lies forest and steppe; to the south, a drier, desert like environment. The range includes the fourteen highest mountains in Europe with Mount Elbrus tucked deep in the southwestern corner of Russia, close to its border with Georgia. It has two prominent summits: the east (18,442 ft, 5621 m) and the west (18,481 ft, 5642 m), with the main climbing route ascending to the col between the two. As one of the easier Seven Summits, Elbrus is an excellent climb representing a great opportunity to become familiar with high altitude climbing, cramponing, self arresting and fixed line climbing, and prepare for higher, more technical peaks. We look forward to leading you on one of the world’s most iconic mountains. As the premier high altitude guide service, CTSS is committed to your safety and success.

Itinerary