Elbrus is the highest mountain on the European continent, standing at 18,541 feet above level, and is the third of the seven summits that your flags will travel to the top of. This was a whirlwind trip. . . We flew into Moscow, and quickly jumped on a second plane which took us two hours south of Moscow, near Georgia. From there we took a three hour van ride to the base of the Caucasus mountains, a rather small mountain range with huge, rocky, intimidating peaks, many well over 15,000 feet.
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| Prayer flags on Mt Elbrus. |
Upon arriving in the Caucasus mountain we could not see Mt Elbrus due to the poor weather conditions, that first day in the mountain range we pushed forward to Basecamp, at nearly 12,000 feet. There, we slept in large barrels that sleep seven people (the number on our team), and they even have electricity, very unique. From basecamp we went on two acclimatization hikes up to about 16,000 feet. After two nights at Basecamp we felt ready to tackle the summit.
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| A view of the Base camp, after an acclimatization hike. |
The summit attempt started at 3am, we didn't sleep that well and waking up at 3 was not too hard. We put on our gear, crampons, ice picks, severe weather clothing and heading out into the subzero weather with up to 50 mile an hour winds. The climb was steep and at times we felt like we were climbing straight up the mountain. We could barely catch our breath due to the limited availability of oxygen. Our pace was slow and steady. One of our team members got severe altitude sickness with nausea and vomiting, however was able to push on. After 10 hours of hiking, we made it to the top. We spent a minute or two at the top, but due to the pounding wind and cold temperatures we quickly got off and back down the mountain. Your flags made it to the Top!! Having your flags make it to seven of the hardest places in the world as a symbol of our commitment to you and all you have gone through. We want each thread that represents a thought of health, strength and well being in your behalf to be symbolized in the remote corners of this planet.
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| RadiatingHope climbers at the top of Mt Elbrus!! |
