Elbrus 5642m (South) - Russia & Damavand 5671m - Iran EXPEDITION OVERVIEW Mount Elbrus and Mount Damavand Combo In just two weeks this combo expedition takes you to the volcanoes of Damavand in Iran, which is Asia’s highest, and Elbrus in Russia, which is Europe’s highest. On Elbrus we gradually gain height and increase our chance of success by taking time to acclimatise in the Syltran-Su valley on Mount Mukal, which offers views across the beautiful valleys to Elbrus. Once acclimatised, we climb these sweeping snow slopes to the col between Elbrus’ twin summits before continuing easily to the true summit of Europe’s highest mountain in an ascent of about 1000m. A brief celebration and then we fly direct to Tehran where Mount Damavand may be little known outside its home nation of Iran but it is Asia’s highest volcano and provides a delightful challenge for mountaineers. It is located northeast of Tehran, close to the Caspian Sea and dominates the Alborz mountain range. Damavand is, with its near-symmetrical lines, a beautiful and graceful peak that has lain dormant for 10,000 years. On reaching the crater rim you walk around it to the true summit and it is possible to walk into the crater. It is technically easy but demands a good level of fitness. PLEASE NOTE – YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK THIS TRIP AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, TO ALLOW TIME TO GET YOUR AUTHORISATION CODE AND VISA FOR IRAN. The Volcanic Seven Summits Challenge – your dream met, a worldwide journey to the seven continents with a unique challenge that has only been completed by a handful of people. You climb the highest volcanic peaks on the Earths seven continents. The volcanoes offer a diverse challenge of terrain and climatic conditions: jungle travel in tropical terrain, high altitude mountaineering in the desert, extreme coldness in one of the most remote corners of the world, to one of the most climbed mountains on the edge of the equator. 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected] WHY CLIMB WITH ADVENTURE PEAKS Adventure Peaks are High Altitude Mountaineering experts that deliver consistently good success rates Elbrus South Side Expedition Our Standard expedition via the south ridge has achieved outstanding success rates for people of all levels over the past decade. • 99% Client Success in 2017 (72 out of 74 summits) • 99.5% Client Success in 2016 (68 out of 69 summits) • 98% Expedition success in 2015 • 54 previously successful Elbrus Expeditions over the past decade Damavand We have operated 3 previous expeditions to Damavand (2015-2017) and all expeditions have successfully reached the summit. Why we achieve: • Additional summits climbed during the acclimatisation phase • No load carrying • High Guiding ratio • 3 days set aside for a summit attempt ITINERARY No Day Today we... We stay at... Accommodation... Meals... 1 Sat Depart Plane Plane 2 Sun Arrive Mineralnye Vody Baksan Valley Hotel BD 3 Mon Trek into Lake Syltrankel 3000m Lake Syltrankel Camp BLD 4 Tue Climb Mount Mukal 3899m Lake Syltrankel Camp BLD 5 Wed Return Trek Baksan Valley Hotel BLD 6 Thu Ascent to the ‘Barrels’ 3800m Barrels Barrels BLD 7 Fri Acclimatisation to Pastukov Rocks 4600m Barrels Barrels BLD 8 Sat Elbrus Summit Day 1 Barrels Barrels BLD 9 Sun Reserve Day Barrels or Hotel Barrels or (Hotel*) BLD (B*) 10 Mon Fly Mineralnye Vody to Tehran via Moscow Tehran Hotel B 11 Tue Transfer to Damavand Damavand BC [3000m] Camp or Hut BLD 12 Wed Climb to Barghah-e-Sevom Barghah-e-Sevom [4150m] Shelter 13 Thu Damavand 1 Barghah-e-Sevom [4150m] Shelter BLD 14 Fri Damavand 2 Barghah-e-Sevom [4150m] Shelter BLD 15 Sat Return Trek/Drive Tehran 4* Hotel BLD 16 Sun Home Home Own bed! B 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected] OUTLINE ITINERARY KEY to inclusions (H/L-hotel/lodge, MH-Mountain Hut, C-Camping, B- breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner/evening meal) Day 1: International travel to Elbrus via Moscow Day 2: We arrive late morning in Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Waters) just to the North of the Caucasus mountain range. From here a 4-hour overland journey by road past fields of sunflowers takes us to the Upper Baksan Valley. We arrive at our hotel which will form the here is a steady climb up to the Sedlowina Saddle, the col main base for the expedition. (H/L,B, L,D) between the two peaks of Elbrus. From here the final 300 metres of ascent to the West summit is on steeper snow Day 3: From our hotel we drive to Verkhniy Baksan, here slopes. The ascent is approximately 8-12 hours round trip. we leave the main road and take the road as far as possible Time permitting we will return to our hotel base in the up the Syltran-Su valley (ideally to 2300m, but will valley to celebrate or spend a further night in the Barrels. depend on road conditions). At the end of the road we will (MH,B,L,D) trek to Lake Syltrankel at 3000m, 3-4 hours, where we will have lunch, set up our overnight camp, refresh skills and Day 10: Morning transfer to Mineralnye Vody and fly to relax. (C, B, L, D) Tehran arriving in the early hours of day 11. Transfer to a comfortable hotel. Day 11: Late morning start, your guide will brief you about the plans for the next few days. We leave Tehran and drive to Pooloor village. Here we change into a 4x4 vehicle for the last 45 mins drive on along rough dirt roads to Goosfand Sara where we set up our base camp for the ascent of Damavand. 2 to 3 hours’ drive Day 12: A well-trodden rocky trail winds its way up the mountain. As we gain in altitude the vegetation gets more and more sparse. We arrive eventually at Barghah Sevom, the site of the oldest refuge and camping site on Damavand, now served with a new hut since 2009. 4 to 5 Day 4: Today we make our ascent of Mount Mukal hours walking (3899m). On a clear day you will also be rewarded with beautiful views across the Baksan valley towards Elbrus. (C,B,L,D) Day 5: After packing up camp ready for the porters we descend back to the valley and return to the hotel to make our final preparations for the Elbrus summit bid. (H/L,B,L,D) Day 6: We take the cable car and chair lift to the Barrels at 3800m on Elbrus (also called ‘Bochky’ or ‘Karabashi’), our base for the next few nights to further aid the process of acclimatisation before our summit bid. Whilst on the mountain the accommodation is more basic but food will be cooked for you. If time permits we will do a further short acclimatisation walk to the old burnt down Prijutt Refuge, 4060m. (MH,B,L,D) Day 13-14: Ascent of Damavand [5610m]. This is a long Day 7: Today our destination is the Pastukov Rocks day so an early start is needed to ensure that there is no stretching from 4500-4700m, allowing us to practice need to rush. The weather can be fickle on Damavand and crampon work as well as being rewarded with good views snow and ice can lie on the top all year round. We crunch of Ushba, one of the most famous mountains of the region, our way up and over the volcanic rubble and snow, finally often described as the Matterhorn of the Caucasus. We reaching the summit after 5 or 6 hours if all goes well. overnight at the Barrels. (MH,B,L,D) Once we reach the top which is scattered with sulphur- yellowed stones, we will be able to smell the air emitted Days 8 to 9: Potential summit days: from the fumaroles within the snow-covered crater and be We rise in the early hours and prepare for a 3am departure able to enjoy our sense of achievement. After we have for the highest point of Europe. It is often possible to taken our photos, we head back down to thicker air. 8 - 11 obtain a lift by Snowcat to around 4500m. The route from hours walking 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected] Day 15: We trek back down to base camp and transfer popular in Russia and choice for vegetarians will be fairly back to Tehran to celebrate in the comfort of the hotel. A limited although things appear to be improving each year. farewell dinner is provided this evening. 2 to 3 hours walking. On Damavand all meals are provided on the climbs. We ask that you pay for any drinks you purchase with meals Day 16: A transfer is provided to the airport to connect the same night. Some meals will be prepared by our guide with your flight back home. (who will gladly accept help from his clients!), while others will be provided in trailside cafes or at the places Alternatively why not or stay another night and enjoy a where we are staying. For larger groups we bring our own full day sightseeing tour of Tehran or stopover in cook. Most lunches will be pack lunches which you will Moscow during your flight home. carry with you. A farewell dinner is provided on your last night in Tehran. For special interest and to keep the taste buds going we ask that each member brings a small ‘luxury’ item to share at some point with the rest of the group.