We will do our best to answer to all questions in this section.
If you have not found an answer to your question, do not hesitate to fill the form at the bottom of the page. Our guides will answer as soon as possible.
1.Can I climb if I have never been in the mountains?
- Certainly yes. There are no technical difficulties at the route, except the altitude and enormous snow slopes. But you will be taught how to move across the slopes. The difficulty of this route is 1B according to Russian grading system. That is why if the weather conditions are good, any healthy person without any medical limitations is able to reach the summit.
2. What is the conditioning level needed for this climb?
- Please visit our Fitness Training Recommendations page.
3. What clothing and equipment should I bring? Can I rent it and how much will it cost?
- Please visit our Equipment List page. If you are not a professional alpinist, it is not very reasonable to buy expensive clothing and equipment. You can rent the missing items. Find the price in the list.
4. What is the best time to climb?
- The climbing season starts in April and finishes in October. However, the most favorable period is from July until the middle of September when the weather is mostly nice and the pressure is high.
5. How many climbers and guides will be on this expedition?
- 1 to 12 members will be on the trip with you. There is typically one guide for 3-4 climbers.
6. Where do we meet and will be picked up?
- Mineralynye Vody, meeting in the airport by the water fountain at 14-00 on the first day of the trip. Then we pick up the members who came by train at the railway station at 14-30.
7. What is the accommodation like?
- We live in Terskol during the first stage of acclimatization. Type of accommodation (apartments or camping) depends on the tour that you have booked. The “Comfort” trip group can live either in the hotel or in apartments (depends on the number of members). The group moves to the altitude of 3700m for 4-5 days during the second stage of accommodation. Our hut is located in 150 meters below the highest station of the cable cars. Members of the “Optima” trip will live in tents at the same altitude.
8. Are there any banks? Cash machines?
- Only in Terskol Village and on Azau Glade. Make sure you have enough cash.
9. Is there communication on the route?
- Your mobile phone will work all the way to 5300m altitude and there is also 3G available. There is no mobile service at the saddle and higher up. Mobile service works perfectly in Terskol.
10. What kind of food do you have on the mountain? What if I am a vegetarian?
- Food is one of the keys of success. Our guides will cook during the whole trip. You will have proper breakfasts and dinners. You will be climbing during the lunchtime and only drink tea and eat snacks and carbs. If you are a vegetarian, please, let us know prior the trip.
11. What is the minimum age for climbing?
- 18 years old. Children from 12 years can climb, only with parental guidance
12. What about insurance?
- You must be insured for the whole trip, on the summit day - including risks above 5000 meters.
13. What about the Ministry of Emergency Situations registration?
- Yes, it is mandatory for all groups.
14. What happens in case I am the only one member of a group?
- All the planned ascents will take place. You are lucky if you are the only participant. Our guides will work personally with you and try to live up to your wishes. Do not hesitate to buy tickets.
15. What happens if some members of our group are not able to continue the climb?
- There are always several guides who go with a group on the summit day. If a client is not able to continue the climb, one of our guides will go back with him. The other guides will continue the climb.