Elbrus Climbing Equipment

Mount Elbrus is a desirable place for tourists and climbers, as well as a popular vacation spot for those who like skiing and snowboarding. The huge number of tourists on the slopes can confuse beginners. Despite the low category of routes, the highest peak in Europe is a dangerous and difficult mountain range with its own characteristics. Preparations for climbing Elbrus should be taken very seriously

In addition to proper physical training and acclimatization, the availability of suitable equipment and equipment on Elbrus is an important factor in successful ascent and descent. agree, it would be at least very sad to leave the ascent unfinished, because your gloves or shoes could not stand the cold, and you stopped feeling your hands or toes. professional climbers already have more mountain clothes in their closets than suits, so this article is for those who are going to Elbrus for the first time and that's it

List of basic equipment for climbing Elbrus

1. Large backpack. Аt least 80 liters. comfortable, with a rigid back, height-adjustable straps and a wide belt with a buckle. such a backpack is necessary for carrying all property and equipment. when packing the backpack at home, adjust it on the back.

2. Mountaineering backpack. Тhe volume is 30-40 liters. This will be necessary during acclimatization and climbing to the top. During the ascent, the bag should contain spare gloves, ski mask, jacket, camera, thermos, food, sunscreen, etc. Choose a model with suitable fasteners for carrying an icebreaker and trekking poles:

3. Sleeping bag. Тo climb Elbrus from the north, where you will have to sleep in tents, you will need a sleeping bag with a comfortable temperature of about - 20 ° C:

4. Hiking sticks. They are necessary. Black Diamond Telescopic Trekking poles-the model proved to be very good (F). They have the best section fastening mechanism.

Shoes for climbing Elbrus

1. High boots. They should be spacious, comfortable for the foot and not press down when walking. The best option is a real climbing shoe with a separate inner sole, an insulating layer and well suited for kittens. Plastic or rubber boots are also suitable, as well as high hiking boots with hard soles, which should be worn with insulated shoe covers (not to be confused with hikinghiking gaiters) that cover all shoes.

2. Low boots. They will be needed as a change of shoes, as well as to get to the starting point and to the base camp in warm weather. it is best to choose climbing shoes with a Vibram mechanism.

3. Shoe gaiters. They are worn over shoes and trousers. They fit snugly to the foot and reliably protect it from wind, snow and dirt that can penetrate inside. For winter climbing, it is recommended to choose shoes with insulated soles.

List of clothes for climbing Elbrus

1. Windbreaker jacket. The best option is a jacket made of GORE-Tex membrane fabric, which protects from the wind, does not get wet and vents steam outside. This jacket is always included in the list of equipment for climbing Elbrus.

2. Warm jacket. At high altitudes, where there are low temperatures and strong winds, this is an indispensable thing. A jacket with synthetic insulation is suitable, but it is better to have a puffer jacket with you, which weighs less and warms better.

3. Trousers. Should be light, made of cotton with small additions of synthetics. Pants with detachable legs are comfortable for warm weather.

4. Trekking trousers. Most of these trousers have the form of self-throws, i.e. with side zippers along the entire length of the leg. This allows you to put them on without unlacing your shoes. Good assault trousers are made of their moisture-proof membrane fabric. The second option of assault trousers is insulated self–throw trousers. For long ascents in cold weather, you need to have both types of assault trousers.

5. Fleece sweater. Of all fleeces, it is advisable to choose Polartec. Polartec is a high-tech fabric brand that is widely used in the production of outdoor and sports clothing. Clothing made from this material is usually light, warm and breathable, making it suitable for hiking and mountaineering. In addition, wool retains heat well even in high humidity and dries quickly, making it an excellent choice for hiking.

6. Thermal underwear. At altitudes above 3000 m you will need to wear thermal underwear. At these altitudes, thermal underwear becomes very important to maintain warmth and comfort. Synthetic materials tend to dry quickly and wick moisture away from the body, making them an excellent choice for layering. they also have good thermal insulation properties. however, merino wool blend thermal underwear is also a great option, as merino wool has excellent insulation and also has the ability to wick moisture away from the body, most Scandinavian and Alpine athletes who train in cold conditions prefer to wear merino wool thermal underwear.

7. Winter hat. It should be warm, made of fleece or wool. When choosing a hat, pay attention to its density to provide additional protection from the wind.

8. Summer hat. It also plays a very important role in protecting against solar radiation in the mountains. The best option for sun protection, especially in mountainous conditions, is a wide-brimmed hat or a hat with a large visor. This type of hat will protect your face, neck and ears from direct sunlight and will also help prevent skin burns.

9. Socks. You need to stock up on three pairs of thin cotton socks, two pairs of warm polar socks, and one pair of wool socks for sleeping.

10. Mask. Protects the face from the cold wind; it is advisable that the mask is made of wool or other dense material, and the lower part of the mask is made of perforated neoprene.

11. Buff. At high altitudes, the sun can literally burn your face and lips in a matter of minutes, despite wearing a thick layer of sunscreen. A buff made of thin fabric will allow you to protect your face and neck from the sun's rays as much as possible.

12. Glove. Gloves are one of the important elements of protection against the cold in the mountains. It is important to make sure that they provide good wind protection and retain heat. It is important to choose the right size gloves so that they do not interfere with movement or create discomfort. It should also be remembered that in strong winds the heat disappears faster, so double-layer gloves are an excellent addition to basic gloves.

13. Windstopper Tour Mitt. For high climbs, it is recommended to take mittens with fleece or synthetic insulation. mittens are very suitable for high lifts. they provide excellent insulation and protection from the cold. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the waterproofness of the gloves, since in the mountains there is a danger of moisture from snow or rain. When choosing gloves, you need to make sure of their quality, reliability and suitability.

14. Rain cape. The poncho raincoat, which covers both the tourist’s body and the backpack, has proven itself well.

List of special accessories for climbing Elbrus

1. Safety harness. The simplest safety harness, the lower harness, is suitable for climbing.

2. Joko-Y. There are two of them - one is used for a crane, the second - for ladders.

3. Carabiners. You will need three carabiners: two small ones - for each self-guards, and one larger one - to fasten to the harness the safety-release device. In high mountains, carabiners with KeyLock system and standard coupling have proven themselves.

4. Helmet․ VERTEX VENT is excellent for people with large head size, as it has a system of adjustment and volume, allowing you to adjust the size of the helmet to individual needs. You can also wear a warm hat under it to protect yourself from the cold. The Vertex VENT helmet is known for its comfort and good ventilation, making it a great choice for mountaineers.

5. Ice axe. Designed for self arrest on a snowy slope when falling. The simplest ice axe will do. The longer the handle, the more comfortable it is to walk with. Do not choose a curved ice axe with a short handle - it is intended for ice climbing.

6. Crampones. They are attached to mountain boots and are necessary for traveling on firn and ice. Crampones with hard fasteners, which are used only for boots with rants, and with soft fasteners, which can be attached to any boots.

7. Trekking and ski Sunglasses. in the mountains, the sun's rays are very strong, especially in snow-covered parts of the mountains, where the sun's rays, when reflected, literally burn the retinas of the eyes. It is recommended to have good quality sunglasses with a protection factor of 3 or 4 and mandatory side wind protection.

Personal hygiene and first aid kit

1. Sunscreen. The sun is strongest in the mountains. It burns the skin even in the most unexpected places, mainly the nose and lips. For the climb, you'll need a medium-sized sunscreen with at least 50 SPF.

2. Sunscreen lipstick. It is necessary to use it from the first day of the campaign. Otherwise, the lips will burn quickly and need treatment and care for a long time.

3. Individual medicines. Companions carry a group first aid kit, but participants must have the necessary medications for their chronic illnesses.

Other necessary items for the ascent

1. Thermos. With a screw cap 0,7-1,0 liters is suitable in a plastic or metal case.

2. Flashlight. Climbing starts before dawn, so you will need a flashlight and spare batteries.

3. Hygiene accessories. All you need is a bar of soap, some shampoo, toothpaste and a toothbrush.

4. Bag cover. If you don't have a poncho, you'll need a backpack pouch and plastic zipper bags to pack your stuff.

5. Hiking Seat. Allows you to sit safely on the ground, rocks, etc.

In addition

1. Passport

2. Medical insurance

3. elastic bandage

4. Hiking bells

5. Chemical heaters

6. ZIP lock bags