Home Story Titan of the Caucasus

Titan of the Caucasus

A photo essay from the ascent of Mount Elbrus

Feature type Story

Read time 10 min read

Published Jun 18, 2020

David Pickford Writer, editor, and photographer based in the UK, David is an expert climber and a pioneer of standup paddling as an expedition-distance watersport. He was previously editor-in-chief of Climb magazine and is editor emeritus of BASE magazine. More: davidpickford.com

Story & Photography | David Pickford

The view from the higher west summit of Mount Elbrus, looking down towards the slightly lower east summit.

At 5642m, Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in the Caucasus, the range of high alpine peaks that extends from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea and across the territory of three different countries: Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Situated entirely within Russia, Elbrus is a remarkable mountain in several respects. It’s the tenth most prominent peak in the world; prominence measures the height of a mountain relative to its lowest contour line.

Unlike the other high peaks in the main chain of the Caucasus, Elbrus is a dormant volcano, with a highly distinctive twin-peaked summit. The last significant eruption was only two thousand years ago. And the mountain has a very colourful history, including a brief period of Nazi control between 1942 and 1943, when the 1st Mountain Division of the Wehrmacht occupied the entire area. At one point, the swastika flag was raised from the summit, much to the alleged rage of Hitler, who apparently believed it was a publicity stunt. Before long, the Red Army prevailed in the Battle of the Caucasus, and the peak and surrounding area fell back into Soviet control in 1943-44.

An incoming storm above advance camp at North Hut.

A Soviet-era ‘Shishiga’ truck crossing the swollen river en-route to Elbrus north side basecamp.

At one point, the swastika flag was raised from the summit, much to the alleged rage of Hitler.

The GAZ 66 4WD truck was one of the main cargo vehicles for the infantry of the Russian army, and is still widely employed in former Soviet countries. Like many Soviet produced 4WD vehicles, it is renowned for its strength and ease of maintenance.

A clearing storm over Hathansu Meadow, the location of Elbrus north side basecamp. The lower slopes of Elbrus are used by local herders for mixed grazing for cows, goats, sheep and horses.

The higher west summit of Mount Elbrus appears through swirling afternoon cloud above high camp at North Hut. From here, it’s still 1900 metres to the top.

Today, Elbrus is a popular mountain due to its status as one of the Seven Summits, and also because – if climbed from its more challenging northern side – it provides a full scale, expedition style mountain adventure that can be completed in less than two weeks. Climbing Elbrus from the north, though, is much more akin to being in the Andes or the Himalaya than in the European Alps. At the same time, the lack of any seriously technical sections means it can be attempted by any physically fit mountaineer familiar with climbing at altitude, basic rope skills, and some experience of glacier travel.

Looking down across Oulloulok glacier towards basecamp in stormy light from high camp at North Hut.

From the north, the sheer size of Mount Elbrus is intimidating at first. From base camp at Hathansu Meadow at just 2500m, the twin summits are clearly visible more than 3000 metres above: they seem a very long away indeed. The summit day itself is a long and arduous one. It’s circa 1900 metres from the high camp at North Hut to the summit, and 1900 metres down again. That’s 3800 metres – or 12,500 feet – of ascent and descent

Looking west across Oulloulok glacier towards the lesser peaks of the western Russian Caucasus in late afternoon light.

A climber descending in swirling cloud from an acclimatisation hike on the Bourbzalitchiran glacier above North Hut.

Sunrise at Lenz Rocks at 4500m during a summit push on Mount Elbrus. Although it was circa minus 20 Celsius (with windchill) when the photograph was taken, experiencing the rising sun in an environment like this is worth getting up at 12.30am for.

Whatever your reasons for climbing Elbrus, whether it’s part of a Seven Summits quest or your first attempt at a peak in the Greater Ranges, or just because you want to climb it for its own sake, the experience of being high on this massive mountain is simply unforgettable. On a clear day on the upper slopes of Elbrus, the main chain of the Caucasus stretches away beyond the horizon to the east, south, and west. Strong sunlight reflects off the vast icefields and hanging glaciers. An occasional crow might drift past on a thermal; other than your fellow climbers, these solitary birds are the only signs of life you’re likely to see up there. Any climber, whatever their experience, is likely to be very much alive on this immense yet surprisingly accessible mountain.

Two climbers dwarfed by the monumental scale of Elbrus as they descend towards the Maliou Azaou glacier on the south side. The southern route up the mountain is considerably easier than the northern route, since the summit push involves a much smaller altitude gain.

Four climbers roped together on the Bourbzalitchiran glacier, ascending towards the distinctive Lenz Rocks at 4500m. These rocks are a useful topographical reference on an otherwise vast and featureless mountain: a rest stop is normally made here during the ascent.

A climber feeling the altitude burn at 4500m on an acclimatisation hike on the Bourbzalitchiran glacier, high above North Hut. Several acclimatisation days are needed even for the fittest climbers coming from low altitudes before a successful ascent of Mount Elbrus.

A team of seven climbers with their Russian guide in the lead ascending towards Lenz Rocks in the early morning. The quality of the light on the glaciers of Mount Elbrus just after sunrise is exceptional, due to the vast and icy slopes of the mountain lighting up instantly as soon as the sun hits.

Pushing on towards the west summit of Elbrus (seen in the distance above the climber) after a break for refreshment at Lenz Rocks.

A large and impressive serac [an ice cliff] high on the Karatchaou glacier under the summit of Mount Elbrus.

Three climbers descending towards Lenz Rocks after a successful summit bid.

Climbing Elbrus from the north is much more akin to being in the Andes or the Himalaya than in the European Alps.

Looking east across the high Caucasus from the slopes of the Bourbzalitchiran glacier.

Two rope teams of four climbers moving steadily up the huge saddle-like feature between the east and the west summit of Elbrus.

Two climbers making the long final descent back down the Bourbzalitchiran glacier to North Hut after a successful ascent of Elbrus.

Among the rocks just beyond the climbers here, the remains of a Russian military Mi-8 helicopter that crashed here whilst attempting to land in July 2010 are clearly visible. The pilots escaped unharmed and much of the wreckage was removed, but the rotor blades and some other debris remains on the mountain.