Caucasus climbing
- Caucasus Russia
- Elbrus traverse west - east
- Cross of Mount Elbrus
-
Ascent of Mount Elbrus
- Ascent of Mount Kazbek
- Dykh Tau
- Shkhara
- Mount Koshtan Tau
- Mount Bzhedukh
- Climbing Erydag-Bazarduzu
- Mount Bazarduzu - Dagestan, Russia
- Mount Erydag - Dagestan, Russia
- Adyl su mountain course
- Mount Khalatsa
- Peak MNR
- Irik Chat alpine course
- 4x4 tour in Georgia and Armenia
Elbrus from the North
Climbing West or East summit of Mount Elbrus via the North route
English version of the program for mobile device
Versión del programa en español para dispositivos móviles
Route track for downloading to your GPS (.kmz)
Other Mount Elbrus climbs by MCS AlexClimb
Altitude: 5642 m
Program category: Mountain Climbing
Difficulty: basic (SPECIAL SKILLS ARE NOT REQUIRED)
Duration: 5 days
Season: June - September
First climb: G.A. Emmanuel, 1829
Program price from: 650 Euro
Optimal format: group 6 participants / 1 guide
- 15.09.26 - 20.09.26mini group, special conditions 85000 RUR booking
Climbing Mount Elbrus - the highest mountain of Europe by the route of the first climbers!
Detailed FAQ section on preparation, equipment, and logistics of Mount Elbrus routes
The Mount Elbrus route from the north is the second most popular option for climbing the highest mountain in the Caucasus and Europe. The route from the north (to the western summit) is 16 km long, with an elevation gain of 1,800 m.
Mount Elbrus Climbing Route from the North
Climbing Mount Elbrus from the north is a high-quality alternative to the southern route.
While the physical challenge is relatively higher than on the southern route (technically, the routes are the same), climbing Mount Elbrus from the north does not require a mountaineering expedition, unlike the eastern or western routes.
The north face of Mount Elbrus, with the trail to Lenz Rocks visible on the left
It can be said that the north route to Mount Elbrus has maintained a delicate balance between the pristine natural beauty of the Caucasus highlands and the availability of commercial services – this route to Mount Elbrus is equipped with mountaineering huts.
A mountaineering hut on the northern slope of Mount Elbrus at an altitude of 3,800 m
The mount Elbrus north route is an intermediate option for those who haven't yet decided to participate in an independent climbing expedition but want to experience the true Mount Elbrus emotions away from the hustle and bustle of tourists.
There are no cable cars or snowcats on the Mount Elbrus north route, which significantly reduces the number of people wanting to climb the summit from this side.
North Slope of Mount Elbrus
Nevertheless, the Mount Elbrus route from the north is equipped with permanent camps: a base camp at Emmanuel Glade and a high camp at the 3,800 m moraine.
The presence of refuges along the route allows for climbing mount Elbrus in the "fast and light" format. If desired, you can organize your ascent with overnight stays in the huts and avoid the need to bring your own equipment to set the camps.
Climbing Mount Elbrus from the North
The absence of mechanical ascent aids on the Mount Elbrus route from the north allows to get better acclimatization.
By gaining altitude independently from the Base Camp to the High camp, we slowly (unlike using a cable car or snowcat) prepare for the final ascent to the summit of Mount Elbrus.
This slightly lengthens the climb, but reduces the risk of injury that inevitably comes with excessively rapid elevation gain.
Climbing Mount Elbrus along the North Face
The Mount Elbrus North Face route allows you to climb both the west and east summits, as well as to attempt traversing Mount Elbrus — climbing both peaks at one go - that is an option only available to well-trained and acclimatized climbers.
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Climbing Mount Elbrus from the North with the MCS AlexClimb Team
Climbing Mount Elbrus from the north is a climb following the path of the pioneers. It was along this route in 1829 that General Emmanuel's expedition made the first ascent of Europe's highest peak.
Little has changed here since then. Amazing "Martian" landscapes, bizarre rock formations called "stone mushrooms"—eroded remnants of solidified lava—and a flat, level plateau known as the "German airfield," which has been the stuff of legends since World War II.
"Stone mushrooms" on the route to Mount Elbrus from the north
Climbing Mount Elbrus from the north is ideal for those who love the pristine nature of the mountains and are willing to (partially) sacrifice their comfort for a true adventure.
Climbing Mount Elbrus from the north
Important! In order to get maximum positive impressions of the Elbrus program, as well as to reduce the risk of harm to your health, we strongly recommend to add to the Elbrus from the North climbing program the module of acclimatization. MCS AlexClimb mountaineering school offers two modules of acclimatization, which can be added to Elbrus from the North climbing program:
Acclimatization program in Adyl Su
Acclimatization program in Irik Chat
This 6-day program "Climbing West Elbrus from the North" is designed for people who have no prior experience in mountain climbing and who want to try themselves at mountain climbing. North Climbing route of Elbrus is not very hard physically, does not require to overcome any technically difficult parts nor stay long in the high altitude conditions.
The First Principle of MCS AlexClimb
The First Rule, by which we are guided in the development of our mountain programs - is safety. Professional Guides lead the group, the highest quality certificated equipment and the most modern navigation equipment are used. This guarantees the highest possible level of your safety in the mountains, which is the most important side of our work.
Program Schedule
The AlexClimb Elbrus Russia climbing schedule - climbing Mount Elbrus from the North 2026):
Guided ascent of Mount Elbrus from the North
Easy сlimb, Basic level
Day 1 - Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) pickup, hotel accommodation
Day 2 - Transfer to the base of the North Elbrus route Poliana Emmanuel BC 2550 m. Overnight in the tents
Day 3 - Hiking to the high Moraine camp 3800 m. Overnight in the tents
Day 4 - Acclimatization hike to the rocks of Lentz 4800 m, overnight in the tents
Day 5 - Summit day. Climbing the West or East Summit of Elbrus, descent to the Moraine camp, overnight in the tents
Day 6 - Transfer to MRV airport
Prices and conditions
The price of the "Climbing Mount Elbrus - the route from the North" 2026:
650 Euro* - standart group 5-10 participants / 2 guides
850 Euro* - mini-group 3-4 participants / 1 guide
2200 Euro - private program for 1-2 participants / 1 guide
* price per person
You have to be ready for:
- 4 days of camping life in the field conditions;
- Cooking your meals by yourself while climbing mountains;
- Carrying a 15-20 kg backpack;
- Air temperature can be down to -10°C on the altitude higher than 3000 m;
Conditions: passing of the acclimatization module
The price includes: Professional mountain guide services, rent of the communal equipment (tents, navigation equipment, cooking gear), hotel accommodation, transfers from the point of the beginning of the program to its end (MRV), using the communal basic medical kit, local registering and climbing permits, food for outdoor part of the program.
The price does not include: Russian visa charges*, International and domestic flight expenses to and from the point of the beginning of the program (MRV), obligatory climbing insurance, rent of the personal equipment, food and drinks
*AlexClimb Mountain Climbing School can provide Russian Visa support for you. More information on request.
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.
