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Weekend summit climb
English version of the text for mobile device
Versión del texto en español para dispositivos móviles
Which programs in the European part of Russia can be considered short Thursday-Monday mountaineering trips, even given today's challenging travel conditions?
Mount Elbrus region, ascent of Andyrchi and Kurmychi, Russia (5 days, 4050 m)
Mount Bazarduzu, Dagestan, Russia (5 days, 4466 m)
Mount Yerydag, Dagestan, Russia (5 days, 3925 m)
Mount Kazbek, southern route, Georgia (5 days, 5033 m)
Mount Laila, Svaneti, Georgia (5 days, 4008 m)
Mount Toubkal, Morocco (5 days, 4167 m)
Aragats, Armenia (4 days, 4090 m)
Mont Blanc, France (4 days, 4807 m)
Breithorn, Switzerland/Italy (4 days, 4164 m)
Aneto Peak, Aragon, Spain (4 days, 3404 m)
Teide Volcano, Tenerife (3 days, 3,718 m)
How are the above listed programs compiled? - Based on their accessibility:
- Road infrastructure and tourist services are available as close as possible to the start of the route
- Altitudes up to 5,000 m are not critical – at this level, for the fast climbs acclimatization is not necessary (these programs themselves can serve as acclimatization blocks)
- Minimum of complicating formalities (passes, permits)
Why isn't Mount Elbrus on the list? Yes, this is my clear position – climbing a five-thousander without acclimatization is only possible under the most favorable conditions and with good physical fitness.
Mount Elbrus
Mount Elbrus, despite its easy accessibility and convenient logistics, is a challenging and treacherous summit that requires serious preparation.
In a "flash" ascent, even if successful, this "achievement" may not be very beneficial for your health.
Climbing Elbrus along the southern slope
The Kazbek route is the only five-thousander route on my list that can be considered a "weekend summit" solely because it is significantly shorter and easier to endure than climbing Mount Elbrus.
Mount Kazbek, view from Georgia
In the modern world, time constraints are always limiting our possibilities —that is one of the most pressing challenges of modern life.
Nevertheless, in the crazy pace of life, it is necessary to periodically take a break, slow down, and, preferably without harming your health, escape from the "home-family-work" cycle.
The distance between these worlds is much shorter than it seems
Obviously, this should be done more than once a year. Any full-fledged mountaineering expedition, no matter how much desired, requires a significant investment of time—the snowy giants are reluctant to welcome their admirers.
MCS AlexClimb mountaineering expedition to Khan Tengri Peak takes three weeks
Most serious climbs require complex logistics, preliminary acclimatization, time to cope with unforeseen complications.
Even the most dedicated mountain fanatics, if they are not professional mountaineers, can not afford such luxury more than once a year.
MCS AlexClimb mountaineering expedition to Evgeniya Korzhenevskaya Peak, Pamir
Unfortunately, after returning from climbing expedition, our physical and mental relief that comes with several weeks of recharging in the mountains is short-lived.
Fatigue and stress accumulate much faster than they dissipate, the physical fitness and acclimatization gained in the mountains disappear, leaving us unprotected agains the cruel reality.
Climbing Mount Layla, Caucasus
But there is a solution. For those who value their time and quality of life, I have developed a set of mountaineering programs that do not require a significant amount of precious time.
My "Weekend climbs" are the perfect format for a quick reboot and recovery.
Without vibrant, positive emotions, life loses its charm
In my small selection, I've compiled mountain routes that can be completed over a long weekend of 4-5 days.
In other words, if you take a plane on Thursday evening and return home on Monday evening, most probably your work will still be there.
Climbing Mont Blanc, France
But the amount of impressions and health benefits will last for at least two or three months, just until the next short foray to the mountains. This could even hold out until that longed-for long expedition to the big mountains.
The logistics of "weekend programs" are designed without taking into account the political upheavals the world is currently immersed in – I hope they are not going to last forever.
Climbing Mount Bazardyuzu in Dagestan, Caucasus
But the mountains have always been and will always be in their place, beckoning people to their shining peaks, making them purer and better.
I'm sure that if politicians start doing mountaineering and went with me to the mountains every two months, the effect would be far more noticeable than the pompous fuss of all those red-headed peacekeepers.
Mountaineering can be not only an extreme sport or a vacation luxury, but also an accessible way to recharge
Text and photographs by Alex Trubachev
International mountain guide, rock and ice climbing coach
MCS EDIT 2025
Our Principles
AlexClimb Rule #1 - Safety First
From the very beginning of our activity, here nearly 16 years, the first Principle of work of School of mountaineering and rock-climbing of MCS AlexClimb is the Safety Priority. On the basis of this Principle all process of training is based, all programs and rounds are developed and carried out only within this main principle. We consider that at professional approach to development of programs, at personal discipline and correctly put motivation - occupations by mountaineering and rock-climbing are COMPLETELY safe. And from the return - all troubles and accidents in our sport come from nonprofessionalism, from ignorance or neglect by elementary standards of safety, from irrational motivation, from revaluation of own forces and opportunities. All these prerequisites we COMPLETELY EXCLUDE in our work - ours Rock-climbing, Ice climbing and Mountaineering are based on one Principle - the Safety Priority. In rock-climbing, mountaineering and ice climbing, the Priority of Safety of MCS AlexClimb-is your personal security and comfort irrespective of, than we are engaged - we train muscles and we work technology of the movement in the sports hall and on the rock climbing wall, we make the way through snowstorm to top or we relax on golden sand of the Caribbean beach after hot day of trainings on rocks. The Safety priority - the main credo of School of mountaineering and rock-climbing of MCS AlexClimb.
AlexClimb Rule #2 - Leave No Trace
Closely interacting with Nature, working with the active programs in mountains, woods, lakes and rivers, we perfectly understand the importance of carefull and respectfull bahavior towards the Nature, for its resources. From the very beginning of our outdoor-activity we adopted rules of Leave No Trace technique - the standard of behavior of the person accepted in all the civilized world in relation to environment and especially - to the wild nature. After all on the relation of people to the nature near which they exist, itself can draw dalekoidushchy conclusions on the relation of these people to... Where and as we didn't travel - we don't reserve any garbage, we try to reduce whenever possible our influence on environment to a minimum. We clear earlier zagryazyonny tourist parking of the left garbage, we take out and we take out to utilization places that to us other people left there. We consider that only thus, at personal individual consciousness of each citizen, each tourist, climber or autotraveller, we will be able to keep the nature surrounding us in its state, natural, suitable for life, - in it pledge of the healthy future for ourselves and our children.
