Paperwork
Please take the time to read the entire Logistics section in full. If you have questions, feel free to call the Alpine Ascents office or email us.
Make sure you submit the following paperwork to Alpine Ascents as soon as possible after registering for your climb.
⎕ Passport copy
⎕ Flight itinerary
This information assists us in procuring permits and making final hotel and transportation arrangements.
Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage
We highly recommend trip insurance as there are many unforeseen circumstances that can occur leading up to a trip. Evacuation and medical coverage may be required for this trip, please see paperwork section above. Please click here for more information:
https://www.alpineascents.com/trip-cancellation-insurance-trip/
Getting There
Note that trip dates include travel time from your home country. A day-to-day itinerary can be found with your confirmation letter.
Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible. Please forward a copy of your flight itinerary before final purchase so we can review departure and arrival dates.
Alpine Ascents can make pick-up, hotel, and transport arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
Flying to Moscow, Russia
Arrival: Arrive in Moscow on Day 2 of your trip itinerary. Please arrive by 3 p.m. Orientation meeting and welcome dinner is at 5:00 p.m. Because independent travel in Russia is difficult, please contact us if you are considering arriving a day early.
Departure: Depart from St. Petersburg on the last day of your itinerary. Please consult your specific itinerary for departure date. Generally these flights depart in the morning and arrive back in the US on the same calendar day.
Early Arrival/Late Departure: We are happy to accommodate other flights. For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel and transport arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance of your departure if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Missed Flights: If you miss your flight or if your flight is significantly delayed, please contact Gordon Janow by calling our Seattle office (206) 378-1927 and follow the prompt for 24-hour contact.
Upon Arrival
Upon entry into Russia, you will get an immigration form. Remember to retain this immigration form for customs inspectors on your return flight home.
Given the nature of the Moscow Airport we suggest using a taxi or Uber to reach your hotel. This will allow you to easily exit the building as opposed to trying to meet up with a pre-arranged driver. If you are uncomfortable taking a taxi or Uber, we can arrange a pick-up for you.
Contact information for your guide and/or a local contact will be emailed with your team roster about a month prior to your trip. Please make sure you have this contact information saved or written down while traveling.
Visa & Entry Requirements
All US citizens are required to have a visa before arriving in Russia. Visas must be taken care of well in advance of the climb and may be obtained from our recommended visa service or procured directly from a Russian Embassy or consulate. Before obtaining a visa, a letter of invitation from Russia must accompany your application. We will provide all information to assist you in getting a visa.
We will mail all applications and the Letter of Invitation to you prior to your trip. You do not need to do anything until you receive this package (about 60 days before departure).
Important Note: You must have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from date of entry.
Hotels
Given the nature of the Moscow Airport, we suggest using a taxi or Uber to reach your hotel. This will allow you to easily exit the building as opposed to trying to meet up with a pre-arranged driver. If you are uncomfortable taking a taxi or Uber, we can arrange a pick-up for you.
If you prearrange a pick-up with us, your guide or an Alpine Ascents representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in Moscow. Please ensure we have a copy of your arrival schedule, and have your guide’s contact information saved (will be sent a month prior to trip).
For climbers who prefer single room accommodations, these arrangements can be made for an additional fee. Be aware that private rooms are available at hotels and resorts during our trip, but not in the mountain huts.
For climbers choosing double room accommodations every effort will be made to pair you with another climber. A Single Room Supplement Fee will apply if a match cannot be made or there is a last minute cancellation. This will help keep our overall program pricing down since unlike other companies we do not charge more for smaller groups.
In Moscow
Arbat Hotel
Plotnikov Pereulock 12, Moscow
Phone: +7 (499) 450-61-75
Website: arbathotel.ru/en
In St. Petersburg
Petro Palace Hotel
Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa 14, Saint-Petersburg
Phone: +7 (812) 571-30-06
Wesbite: petropalacehotel.com
In Mineral Vody/Terskol
Hotel Alamat
A158, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Website: hotelalamat.ru
Gear List
Please refer to your Gear List:
You are required to bring every item on this list as described, so be as precise as possible when packing. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear.
If you plan to rent gear, your rental form must be submitted at least a month prior to expedition start date. Please call our office or e-mail [email protected] with any questions.
Gear Lexicon
If you’re confused by items and/or language on the Gear List, we encourage you to refer to our Gear Guide for explanations on layering systems, differences between boots, etc.
Other Resources
Below are articles written by veteran Alpine Ascents guides that you may find helpful in preparing and packing for your expedition.
Medications & Prescriptions for Mountain Climbing
Not on the Gear List, but in our Backpacks
Packing Tips
People generally take too much “stuff” rather than too little. Study each item before you pack it. Eliminate redundant items, extra changes of clothing, and excessive“nice to have” luxuries. You will benefit from traveling light because of the costs of excess baggage and because of the frequent loading and unloading of bags. Remember to review your airline’s weight limits and pack accordingly. Traveling light may be your key to summit success. Take everything on the required equipment list and little else.
Expenses
We recommend using a combination of US dollars and credit cards for purchases and extra expenses in Russia. The airports have exchange booths for changing dollars to rubles, as do the major hotels. Be aware that you lose money each time you change, so it is wise to plan efficiently. ATM’s are generally the better way to obtain rubles, as ATM’s in the city are readily available and usually easier to get to than an exchange kiosk.
ATM’s and exchange bureaus are limited in Terskol, so it is best to exchange dollars for rubles in Moscow before travel to Terskol. Also be aware that like other European cities, Russian cities can be very expensive. Generally $1,000 for travel money is plenty, you will likely use less than half.
Early Departure/Evacuation
If you need to leave the expedition early, you are responsible for all incurred expenses (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). A comprehensive trip insurance plan is strongly recommended, which can cover these costs in the event that they occur.
Tipping
Our guides make every effort to ensure your climb is safe, successful, and as enjoyable as possible. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. It’s difficult to recommend a specific amount as we believe tips should be based on level and quality of services, as well as an amount that meets your budget. Please consider the information below to be a general recommendation.
Tipping for local Russian guides averages $200 per person. For Alpine Ascents guides, 8-12% of the total trip cost for the guide team is a standard guideline. Any contribution to the guides’ tip pool can be given directly to your lead guide and will be appreciated by the entire team.
On the Mountain
Physiology Of Mountaineering
Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:
Food & Water
Food variety can be limited in Russia with even greater limitations for those on a vegetarian diet. Our summit bid is
launched from a hut where food is ample but limited in variety. We are aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to make meals a positive part of the climb. We take great care in our meal preparation, understanding the importance staying healthy, fueling effectively, and overall enjoyment.
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Russia, even in the best hotels. All drinking water and water for brushing teeth should be either bottled or treated with a water purification system. Bottled mineral water is widely available throughout the parts of Russia we visit. All water provided on the mountain will be treated by boiling and/or with purification tablets.
Health Tips
You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea. Keep in mind that you will be spending at least 24 hours traveling each way.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.
Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Please note that Covid protocols, both best practices and entry requirements, are changing frequently. While we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, we do carry out a variety of measures designed to mitigate the risk of illness for climbers and staff. It is important we work together with the same team-oriented perspective we rely on in climbing, and we greatly appreciate your partnership. Please take a few moments to thoroughly read the information below and know that we look to improve our operation as additional information about the virus becomes available.
Vaccinations & PCR Testing for Entry and Exit
All climbers entering Russia must be fully vaccinated. Be prepared to show proof of vaccination on arrival. All climbers must arrive with a negative PCR test, taken 72 hours or less before boarding first flight in route to Russia.
Please double check the travel requirements from your selected airline. Some airlines have specific Covid policies.
Please note a health declaration may be needed and we will supply information as it becomes available.
Masks
Climbers will be asked to wear proper facemasks in all public places while not on the mountain. This includes while in towns, while being transported and while in hotel premises or during meals.
Transportation
Based on recommendations and factors at time of departure we may opt to use multiple vehicles for transport to and from airport and to and from the mountain to maintain better social distancing.
Lodging
Lodging will be in shared rooms and tents unless a single room is requested. Subject to change based on conditions.
Dining on the Mountain
Guides may opt to have outdoor dining and not use a dining tent should circumstances warrant.
Screening
If you experience fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea please immediately contact Alpine Ascents. Anyone experiencing these symptoms within 14 days of their trip date will be asked to reschedule their trip. All climbers may be verbally screened for these symptoms on arrival.
Mitigation Measures
Hand washing and hand sanitizing facilities are provided throughout the program, We encourage you to regularly clean or sanitize your hands while on this journey, especially after touching your face, sneezing, coughing, using the bathroom, eating, or drinking. Common areas, high-touch surfaces, and restrooms are sanitized regularly.
We are committed to keeping our environment clean for your protection as well as ours.
I truly enjoyed the Elbrus trip. Good people, well organized, overall an excellent trip.
