Mount Elbrus West-East Traverse

Original program here
Route track for downloading to your GPS (.kmz)
Other MCS AlexClimb programs on Elbrus

Maximum altitude: 5642 m
Program category: Mountain Climbing
Difficulty: advanced (SPECIAL SKILLS ARE REQUIRED)
Duration: 14 days
Route length: 40 km
Season: June - September

Program price: 2250 Euro
Format: mini group 4 participants / 1 guide

Contact the organizer via WhatsApp or Telegram +44 7727 445099

Traversing Mount Elbrus from West to East with climbing both summits

Detailed FAQ section on preparation, equipment, and routes to Mount Elbrus

Mount Elbrus is considered to be the starting point for mountaineering.

For many beginner climbers, ascending Mount Elbrus is the first mountain experience, inspiring them to explore new, more distant and high horizons. But to think that Mount Elbrus is a "mountain for beginners" would be an extreme misconception.

This dismissive attitude toward Mount Elbrus is completely undeserved! In addition to the two truly popular climbing routes to Mount Elbrus—from the south and north, which are accessible to inexperienced climbers— Mount Elbrus offers many ascent options or route combinations that can be interesting even for highly experienced, professional climbers.

Mount Elbrus even offers routes of the highest difficulty level—on the Kyukkyurtlu Face on the western side of Mount Elbrus there are some really challenging, vertical climbing routes. However, these routes are practically not demanded today.

When considering Mount Elbrus routes of moderate difficulty, the first options to consider are combinations of standard routes or the traverses ascents of the summits with descents to the opposite side of the mountain.

Below, I would like to offer you a beautiful route that reveals all the majestic beauty and unpredictable character of Mount Elbrus.

Even an experienced climber with serious climbing background can rightfully be proud of completing such route.

The Elbrus traverse from west to east is the best of the classic Caucasian alpine ascents. It offers an opportunity to look at Mount Elbrus from a completely unusual perspective, without crowds of tourists.

This is an opportunity to climb both summits of the famous mountain without the amenities of civilization that devalue this achievement - chairlifts, snowcats and refuges - in a fair competition against a worthy opponent.

Participation in the "Mount Elbrus West-East Traverse" expedition requires experience in moderate-difficulty alpine ascents and experience in autonomous high-altitude overnight stays at altitudes of 5,000+ meters.

Important! Participation in the Mount Elbrus West-East Traverse expedition is only possible after completing one of the acclimatization modules:

Climbing Mount Kazbek
Acclimatization program in Adyl Su
Climbing Mount Bazardyuzu

etc.

Specifics of the Mount Elbrus traverse schedule with acclimatization on Mount Kazbek:

1. The combination with Mount Kazbek climb offers the opportunity to climb three mountains in a single program. Even if Mount Kazbek summit attempt is unsuccessful, it provides the necessary impetus to begin the acclimatization process, the quality of which determines the safety and success of the main route – the Mount Elbrus Traverse.
2. Ascent of Mount Kazbek, even without summiting, with two overnight stays at 3,200 m and an ascent to 4,200-4,700 m, can be considered the first acclimatization rotation, after which a repeat ascent to similar altitudes on Mount Elbrus will be easier to bear.
3. The west-east direction of the Elbrus traverse was chosen deliberately. Under any circumstances, it is always better to descend along the easier route. In our case, all technical climbing obstacles are concentrated on the western side of Mount Elbrus – that makes the traverse safer in case of sudden weather changes or other difficulties.
4. The highest and most uncomfortable overnight stay on the route, is the 4,700-meter high camp, it sets up on a gently sloping part of the glacier beneath the dome of Mount Elbrus West Summit. The next bivouac on the descent at 4,300 meters, provides an opportunity to recover after the arduous ascent of the both Mount Elbrus summits.
5. An emergency retreat is possible either along the ascent route, if something goes wrong before the West Summit of Mount Elbrus, or from the Saddle to the South Side, if for some reason continuing the traverse is impossible. Generally, the route is quite safe for its difficulty level—at any point, there is a way for convenient and quick descent.
6. High-altitude experience is mandatory condition for all participants in the Mount Elbrus Traverse program. This route is optimal for those with experience of climbing 6,000-meter-plus peaks and overnight stays at the altitude more than 5,000 meters. Those without this experience should consider less physically challenging options for climbing Mount Elbrus.

Mount Elbrus Traverse from West to East with Acclimatization on Mount Kazbek

Day 1 - Meeting in Tbilisi, overnight at the hotel

Day 2 - Transfer to the start of the Mount Kazbek route, hiking to 3200 m (10,500 ft), setting up the bivouac, overnight in tents

Day 3 - Acclimatization, hike to 4000 m (13,200 ft), descent to the bivouac, overnight in tents

Day 4 - Mount Kazbek summit attempt, descent to the bivouac, rest, overnight in tents

Day 5 - Spare day, overnight in the tents

Day 6 - Crossing the Russian border at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, overnight at the hotel in Nalchik

Day 7 - Transfer to the beginning of the Mount Elbrus route from the west, overnight in tents at the 2200 m camp

Day 8 - Hike to the bivouac 3,300 m (10,900 ft), overnight in tents

Day 9 - Hike to the bivouac 3,900 m (13,000 ft), overnight in tents

Day 10 - Climb to the bivouac 4,600 m (15,100 ft), overnight in tents

Day 11 - Ascent to West Elbrus 5642 m (18,510 ft), descent to the Saddle 5380 m (17,650 ft), ascent to East Elbrus 5621 m (18,500 ft), descent to the bivouac at 4,300 m (14,000 ft)

Day 12 - Spare Day, overnight in tents

Day 13 - Descent to the Baksan Valley, overnight at the hotel

Day 14 - Transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport

The price of the "Travers of Mount Elbrus from West to East" 2026:

2250 Euro* - mini-group 4 participants / 1 guide

* price per person

You have to be ready for: 

• 12 days of camping life in the field conditions;
• Cooking your meals while being on the climbing route;
• Carrying a 25-27 kg backpack;
• Air temperature can be down to -10°C on the altitude higher than 3000 m;

Conditions: mandatory acclimatization module

The price includes: Professional mountain guide services, rent of the communal equipment (ropes, belaying and navigation equipment, cooking gear), hotel accommodation, transfers from the point of the beginning of the program to its end (Mineralnye vody MRV), using the communal basic medical kit, local registering and climbing permits, food for outdoor part of the program.

The price does not include: Russian visa charges*, mountaineering insurance, roundtrip airfare (Tbilisi TBS - Mineralnye Vody MRV), personal equipment rental, restaurant meals and drinks

MCS EDIT 2025