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Equipment list
The weather in Elbrus region is changeable, and conditions can deteriorate
rapidly in case of a storm. Be prepared for temperatures between 20 and 70 degrees
F ( -7C - +21C) with a chance of rain or snow. Temperatures could fall to -5F
(-20C) higher up on the mountain and you may encounter severe winds. Like any
large mountain, Mt. Elbrus creates its own weather. There can be serious storms
on the mountain, while the next valley is in bright sunshine.
Test your equipment before you come to climb Mt. Elbrus, making sure your crampons
fit your boots and that you can put them on and take them off quickly and efficiently.
Test your clothing systems and determine what works best for you. There is no
one right way to dress, but layering is essential. Make sure your clothes fit
and that they are roomy enough for strenuous activity. Proper broken-in boots
are of great importance.
NOTE: Optional items have normal Black color. Highly recommended items are
Blue. Absolutely necessary items marked Red.
Official Papers
- Valid passport
- 2 Copies of first page+visa page of passport
- Airline tickets
- Voucher copy (a copy of page which was sent to you as visa support)
- Border zone permission (if you need it) and other permits and registrations (our rep will have this for you)
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag rated to -5 Celsius for staying in huts and -15°Celsius for staying in tents.
- Sleeping pad for tents. There are mattresses at huts and you do not need sleeping pads at huts.
- If you stay in a tent, it must be good for very, strong wind.
Outerwear
- Insulated parka/jacket, down or synthetic, rated
to -10°C and able to fit over other sweater layers
- Rain jacket and pants(side-leg zippers are helpful),
roomy and water repellent
Clothing
- Mid weight fleece or wool sweater
- Fleece pants or tights
- Mid weight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants/skirt
- Hiking shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts/blouses
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks, wool or synthetic
- Liner socks
Footwear
- Hiking boots, sturdy, ankle-support, water-resistant,
broken-in
- Camp shoes: trail shoes or sneakers
Mountaineering Gear (based on standard mountaineering rules for glaciers with hidden crevasses).
- Plastic boots or crampon-compatible heavy leather mountaineering
boots. Important!: Cool feet could force you to turn back, or result
in frostbite.
- Crampons ( See crampons info on Equipment for
Rent Page).
- Climbing seat harness
- 2 carabiners (1 locking, 1 oval) per person
- Rope - (for a group, 1/2 is ok)
- 3 ice screws (with carabiners, for a group)
- Ice axe - (at least 2 for a group, better if everybody has it)
- Protectors for ice axe and crampons; when you ride the chairlifts, they
will often be crowded and an unprotected axe or crampons can do damage).
- Headlamp
- Backpack
- GPS device
- Mobile phone GSM 900/1800
- Ski/trekking poles
Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat
- Warm hat, wool or fleece
- Bandana
- Wool or fleece gloves
- Thin liner gloves
- Waterproof overmitts
- Balaclava
- Snow gaiters, knee-length (supergaiters, which
cover the whole boot, are excellent)
City Clothing
- Lightweight easily washable items for travel and daily wear
- Comfortable shoes
Travel Accessories
- Water bottles
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Sunglasses with retainer strap (side-shields
or glacier glasses highly recommended) or goggles
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Small, quick-dry towel
- Hand sanitizer gel and Handi-wipes
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
- Large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags
- Cooking and eating utensils both for huts and tents. Some items may be found at huts if you stay there but you should remember that there may be many other people without the utensils and all items may be permanently occupied.
- Gas stove even for huts. There are big gas stoves at huts but there are many people around. Big gas stoves are good for melting snow and boiling water but it is more convenient to finalize cooking on your own stove away from the competitors.
- Swimsuit
- Personal first-aid kit
- Any prescription or over the counter medications used
regularly (these will not be available in the Caucasus).
- Watch/Travel alarm
- Rubber sink stopper for sinks in hotel if you need this (generally, these are not available
in Russian hotels)
- Adapter for any electrical appliances. The 220V current in Russian outlets
will ruin Western 110V appliances.
- Knee supports
- Trowel, lighter, 1/2-roll toilet paper
- Camera, film and spare batteries
- Reading and writing materials
Supplemental food
- Range of goods in Russia is not same as in your country so you may wish
to bring some items that are probably not available in Russia and which may
make your trip more pleasurable:
- Your favorite: instant coffee, herbal teas, powdered milk, sugar substitute,
other instant drinks
- Your favorite trail snacks, dried fruits, candy bars, gumdrops, peanut butter
- Vitamin supplements
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