{"id":3519,"date":"2015-01-17T08:25:33","date_gmt":"2015-01-17T06:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ants-in-pants.com\/?p=3519"},"modified":"2018-01-04T20:19:11","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T18:19:11","slug":"mount-elbrus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ants-in-pants.com\/en\/blog\/mount-elbrus\/","title":{"rendered":"Mount Elbrus \u2013 One of the Seven Summits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Caucasian Dormant Volcano Elbrus situated on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay\u2013Cherkessia republics of Russia is not just the highest Russian peak. Since the scholars and politicians still cannot agree about the border between Europe and Asia, Elbrus is often included into the list of \u201cseven summits\u201d as the highest mountain of Europe (another lower candidate for this title is Mont Blanc). Seven summits also include Everest in Nepal\/China, Anconcagua in Argentina, McKinley in Alaska, Vvinson in Antarctica, Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, and Kosciuzsko in Australia. Unlike most of the mounts on this list, Elbrus is quite easy and cheap to reach. While the cost of ascending Kilimanjaro is about 1000 euros (since it is obligatory to get the guide and expensive permit for it), Elbrus costs only 10-15 euros (without transport of course, but it is also easy and cheap to organize). We will tell how to save a bit even from this sum.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already told<\/a> how to get to Elbrus region and what to see there apart from Elbrus , so now we go straight to the topic of this post.
\nEven though \u201cZvezda Elbrusa\u201d where we were staying offers transfer to the cable road stations, we decided to walk. After 1,5 hours we got to the lowest station of Elbrus cable road \u2013 Azau , situated 2000 meters above the sea level.
\n\"2IMG_7616\"
\nFrom there one can choose from two options: aerial (old Soviet) and gondola type (modern) lift. The gondola type is not only newer \u2013 it works non-stop (you kind of jump into it), unlike the Soviet type which stops and waits for people. The local mountain climbers advised to take a cheaper Soviet option (500 rubles vs. 600 for the gondola type): on the way back nobody checks the tickets, so you may try the gondola one too. By the way, the tickets are still to be kept.
\n\"3IMG_7441\"
\n\"4IMG_7445\"<\/p>\n