August 22, 2012
Moscow (Phil Ershler)
Made it to moscow. Touring the city this afternoon.
“New Maidens Convent” is one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Old Arbot Street tonight for dinner and some serious souvenir shopping.
Phil Ershler
Archive for the ‘Elbrus’ Category
Elbrus Team In Terskol
August 22, 2012
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Phil called in to report that the team made it to Terskol. And despite having to turn around on the upper mountain yesterday they’re having a blast and are headed back uphill to do a little ice climbing today.
The team is doing great and enjoying their last couple days in Russia.
Tye Chapman
Updates on Mt. Elbrus
August 20, 2012
Mt. Elbrus
Phil called in to report at 3pm his time on Monday. They have been hammered by the weather and still no attempt on the summit yet. Tonight they’ll take a last look, and if lucky, they’ll go for it. If not, they’ll be forced to descend to the valley and the hotel in Terskol.
Our best wishes for the success of the team!
George Dunn
Update: August 21, 2012
Phil called in to report at 3pm on Tuesday, Moscow time. The whole team is back down in the town of Terskol. They gave it their best try today, got to 17,000’ before it became too cold and windy. The margin of safety just became too narrow to proceed. They packed up and headed down to Terskol. Tomorrow they’ll spend the day in town, and the next day back to Moscow.
George Dunn
Lunch Is Served
August 16, 2012
Lunch after a hard training day (Phil Ershler)
What better way to end a long day of training than to sit down to a relaxing meal with your comrades.
After another night spent in Terskol, the crew will kick off the climb with a tram and ski lift to the Barrels Hut on Elbrus followed by a hike to their private hut at 13,500′ where they’ll acclimatize for a day before their summit attempt.
Becky Kjorvestad
Elbrus Team In Terskol
August 15, 2012
Waterfall on the hike to the observatory.
Phil called in this morning to report that the team arrived safely in Terskol. Today they got their hearts & lungs working with a hike up to the observatory which sits at roughly 10,000ft. The rest of the day was spent tweaking gear, fitting crampons, going over some knots and all the other pre-climb odds and ends. Tomorrow they’ll head out onto the glacier for some additional training.
The weather continues to cooperate!
Tye Chapman
Elbrus Team Prepares To Acclimatize
Door in St. Isaac's Cathedral (Phil Ershler)
August 14, 2012
Phil Ershler checked in late last night our time, which was early Tuesday morning in St. Petersburg.
“Our day of playing tourist ended with a great visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral, a boat ride through the canals of St. Petersburg and dinner together in town. It’s now Tuesday morning and we’re checked in for our flight to Mineralnye Vody. We start our acclimatization process tomorrow.”
Phil Ershler
A Day At St. Pete’s
August 13, 2012
Word in from Phil Ershler and the team – they’ve had picture perfect weather while touring St. Petersburg today. They’ll continue on with a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral followed by a boat tour through the canals in the afternoon.
Tomorrow they’ll depart for Terskol, where they’ll spend some time hiking and acclimatizing. Everyone’s doing just fine.
Team in front of the Church of Spilled Blood (Phil Ershler)
Weekend Updates From Around The World
August 12, 2012
Bolivia – Vernovage checked in. All continues to go well for these guys. They’re set to ascend their first objective: Pequeño Alpamayo.
On the trail to Machu Picchu.
Peru (Machu Picchu) – Peter Anderson called in and was in a great mood! The team enjoyed another perfect day yesterday on the trail. ‘T-shirt weather” he called it. Today they’ve crossed over their 3rd big pass of the trek and are preparing their knees for the 2000ft descent down some big stone steps. Tomorrow they’ll wake up early and head to Machu Picchu.
Russia (Elbrus) – Phil called in to report that all is well. Everybody showed up in St. Petersburg with all their luggage. The forecast calls for some good weather for their tour of St. Petersburg where they will visit the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral and take a boat ride through the canals in the afternoon.
Celebration dance.
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) – Max Bunce reports that the team had a smooth descent from the summit. Last night they were at Mweka Camp, which is at timberline (about 11000 ft). Today they came down through the forest to the Mweka Gate, where they met the land rovers for the drive down to Moshi (at the foot of the mountain). Tonight they have a celebration barbecue dinner at the hotel. Congrats, team. Great job!
Good Times In Moscow
July 20, 2012
Celebrating Mike's Birthday
The team is calling it a wrap. It was great having both contingent days after the summit of Elbrus to check out the Baksan Valley, hike a little more and just plain relax. Flights back to Moscow were uneventful and they had time for 2 organized tours of the city. Dinner their final night was at the Hard Rock Café on Old Arbat Street. What fun – street vendors, musicians, caricature artists and tons of people watching. Can’t even begin to tell you how much the city’s changed since our first visit in 1989. Four folks are staying in Moscow for another day while all others are now heading home. Great people, great success and a great trip.
Phil Ershler
Regards From Russia
July 18, 2012
With the entire team having reached the summit and the weather remaining great, it’s hard not to enjoy hiking around the Baksan Valley. Moscow soon.
Elbrus, check!
The team sends their regards.
Phil Ershler