- Home
- Expeditions
- Jul 15, 2013
-
-
Email -
Facebook -
Pinterest -
Twitter
-
From Moscow to Mountains — First Elbrus Trip a Success!
The first Mountain Madness trip Elbrus expedition of the season has come to an end. It was a great trip, a great success and though the journey has come to an end, the memories and friendships will live on.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=23aebcf5336044925aea1c824cee6992 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c709f311af1400a6a7a9cf76238a8e84 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=279e583aee9413ab8f4a29815826223a 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a7bf9d0740fca72d4fd97a1d7761678b 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=c88d7c33fa5259e039a31a0c76a14c94 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=9be11bc7836e1a67339879fd2fe254a1 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=8e95319a25d0fb5085ac85ef33caf2eb 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130626_065014_852.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=303614a3f4ec43f77ef061b4febdf4fd 1600w)
Guide twins Alan and Dave on the way to the airport. Tino Villanueva photo
Russia is a tricky place to travel. The language, with Cyrillic lettering, and a country that was only open to travel in the 90s makes it feel quite foreign to travelers. Many people also have the preconception that, due to the stereotype of communism, Russia is organized and everybody stands nicely in line. The truth of traveling in Russia is a bit different. Chaotic airports, heavy traffic that forces $100k cars to pass each other in the dirt and mud of the shoulder at highway speeds and aloof service staff are realities of Moscow.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=81f775f30715d0654ca2ca15928ae65e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c200ea55696e244b44d2156b2960f2bb 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=eab389b618af622ee3157a204c37ef5d 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=de56d871cd9e12d3644a2a6f6ab736fc 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=495aa721cddbaf01645935e318f13991 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=e05524e406048d90ba18e05b676477ac 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=2a2ea986122125be15acd68125c9d60d 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130625_162953_595.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=48e9327f2ceaac6e1b8a8fe6da0579ea 1600w)
Dave hanging out with a cardboard cutout outside our Belarusian lunch restaurant.
Tino Villanueva photo
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=5c167ee9d668fe93b499965f393dea2f 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3890c3c633b554c47af2f42011a718a1 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=2c44ee1330b9c004dee47fb507269870 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=d269695069937f42fcfdbd14a0cd075a 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=7279b854297881372575d9af80535198 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=35c22390ea52565a9292530f4647839d 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=a5b2107cc02db361d1df9347c7360f6b 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_20130706_111829_793.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b484220b2f1704d48c284bfa13e5b7c0 1024w)
Alec and Tino (and a friend) sampling some local swill at the Museum in Izmailovo Kremlin.
Tino Villanueva photo
However, as with most places in the world, life in the mountainous regions is slower, the people are more welcoming and those of us who live for the mountains feel more at peace. We spent about a week living at the high camp known as the Barrels while preparing, acclimatizing and climbing Elbrus. When our possible summit days arrived, and the weather did not look great, we had to remain patient.
The team decided to remain at camp on our first possible day and while other teams ventured into thunder, lightning, snow, rain and wind, receiving a thorough pounding by the weather, we stayed in camp and conserved energy for what we hoped would be a better day. We had the time. It was the right decision.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=1ee7869dc9db89b7b8a091d162072984 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c3e2c228364eb455ed4957ae911cd629 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0b240810990a4e2fba324f9c6e52f6e8 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=840fd018c8e9c1684eea9c3f8a8831eb 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=715b1037255c9953890951ce8563612f 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=56f5a51ef032e2eba2074e53885740fa 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=78de7b650f7abe1ac49adc783b05de72 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=4b37278267ecd8ded32134a1d8390334 1024w)
Ski touring above the Barrels camp with the mighty Ushba in the background.
Tino Villanueva photo
Summit day came and while it was not the electric storm of the night before, the weather was far from perfect. Much of the climb could have taken place anywhere in the world, we would not have known the difference. With a 60m bubble of visibility it is hard to tell where in the world you are. But we pushed on through the difficult conditions with sporadic and taunting views of sun, sky and surrounding mountains.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6a836c0d21db6b3521211f03fea23775 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=ec0024dd8090d86c5d4ba90577f5c122 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=642b7d69e9493bdd1285221f8a2090c9 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=eb8d8a166ca1c7228db4a4ee14718e9f 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=eb0e258320db5dc12cb306683c0bc668 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a7230f7680610f2588bb60f0bc2ba819 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=b2497618c7d28ad59a122d21a06bb5e8 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=3d359f898a9de9bcfc0991624a537837 1024w)
Dave and the crew within meters from the summit. Tino Villanueva photo
However, the summit was white. I arrived on the summit with Peter and Alec, first amongst our teams, and even though the weather was poor, luckily it was not terribly cold or windy. We waited as long as we could stay warm and then clicked into our skis for a 6000 ft descent from 18,500 ft. But as we were feeling our way through the white we became concerned for the rest of the group. Regrouping at the saddle, we worked well as a team to get everybody back safely to camp. It was a long day, and everybody was tired, but we arrived just in time for a hot meal before falling fast asleep.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6340c830ade30368c4035ae85990517b 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=0f0b4f436f3bd4477f89a77585871ac3 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=935ef3d7c343f1101aa595d7a8183b7f 684w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=0309e6473ffeb8b224201f632a13e075 684w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=c56e0752d7b575017098d997f3b181a7 684w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=e48e9b045743c9f610e873a342d68e6f 684w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=2334686f213397550e8a59926b31f38f 684w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Ftinophoto1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b79320c1afaac4d0bf2b18461966b535 684w)
Peter and Alec on the summit. Tino Villanueva photo
I do not measure the success of a trip by the number of people who stand on top of the mountain — there are much more important factors such as meeting new lifetime friends, enjoying the company of these friends and returning home safely with great stories. On these criteria our expedition was a success. Still, 12 team members standing on the summit feels pretty great!
~ MM Guide Tino Villanueva