Cybercasts

Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

Early this morning, we packed our bags and headed back down to the Valley. The warmth! The greenery! Showers at our hotel!

This afternoon was spent relaxing, souvenir shopping and walking on some of the trails next to the river near our hotel.

This evening, we had our celebration dinner at our favorite shashlik spot: delicious kebabs, potato pancakes stuffed with cheese, and a special gift from the proprietor, a pie stuffed with all sorts of goodness.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to one more day in the valley. Maybe some horseback riding, possibly some fishing and hiking. Or just hanging out. We’ll see. Everyone is feeling great and happy to be down in the thicker air.

Carole & Vern Tejas

Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

We did it!! The Crevasseputins climbed to the top of Europe at 11 am this morning.

We left the Huts at 3 am and for most of the way to the summit, it was COLD, with strong winds (that we all agreed felt like 160 mph) and blowing snow, all of which made this climb quite the challenge.

But the Crevasseputins more than met it. We were lucky in that for the last 1,000 feet or so below the summit, the skies were totally clear. So while our time on the summit was brief because of the winds, we were able to get some amazing 360 degree views.

Our descent was smooth, with alternating patches of powder snow and some icier sections. Our fixed line practice paid off!

We are all now back safely in the warm Huts and have just finished dinner. Tomorrow morning, everybody is looking forward to descending to our hotel in Terskol for a shower, a change of clothes and perhaps a celebratory libation(s).

Carole & Vern Tejas

Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

We started off in strong winds today and headed out to find a spot slick enough for us to practice our self-arrest skills.

We found just the place 15-20 minutes from the Huts and practiced until we were expert in our skills. While we were out, it became clear and sunny, but by the time we headed back to the Huts for lunch, things had whited out again. All very changeable!

After a short “rope rodeo” to practice clipping the fixed lines in the field, and a Q and A session about our summit attempt, we had an early dinner in preparation for our 1:30 am wake -up time.

The weather forecast for our summit attempt tomorrow morning isn’t perfect but we’re going to give it our best shot. Wish us luck and check back tomorrow to see how our day went!

Carole & Vern Tejas

Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

Greetings from Mount Elbrus. The thing to report about today is the weather, and how this very strong Team hiked up to Pastakov Rocks at about 14,900 feet in 20-25 mph winds and blowing, icy snow. The views were… limited at best. So not the best weather today, but we made it up there in very good form and then did a quick spin back down the hill to our toasty warm huts in time for a hot lunch.

This afternoon, we opted to stay out of the weather and so we practiced clipping fixed line indoors and also discussed some pulley theory.

The team is feeling fine and continues to be in good spirits in spite of the less-than- friendly conditions outside. Here’s hoping for better weather tomorrow!

Carole & Vern Tejas

Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

Team Crevasseputins reporting in from the cushy Leaprus Huts on the flanks of Mount Elbrus, our home for the next 4 days or so.

After we arrived, we roped up and went for a short tour on the glacier. Great views of the mountain and the Caucasus range and also some good practice in roped glacier travel techniques.

This afternoon, we spent some time on basic knot review and rigged our safety systems for the fixed line on the upper mountain.

The Huts sit at an elevation of over 12,500 feet. We are feeling the altitude but all doing pretty well.

Best of all, we were treated to a spectacular sunset tonight– one of the prettiest we’ve ever seen on the mountain. Even our local Russian guides were impressed by it.

We will check back with you tomorrow,

Carole & Vern Tejas