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.
Climbers need to arrive early on Day 2 – as we start our journey after airport pick up.
Alpine Ascents highly recommends the services of Charles Mulvehill at Scan East West Travel ([email protected]) when making flight arrangements. Charles is very familiar with our programs and offers very competitive prices on all domestic and international flights.Flights
Flying to Reykjavík, Iceland
Arrival: Your destination airport will be Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavík, Iceland. Arrive in the morning of Day 2.
Meeting: Those arriving on the scheduled date (or those who have made prior arrangements) will be met at the airport in Keflavík by an Alpine Ascents guide or representative and taken to the Hotel.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Important Note: You must have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from date of entry.
A visa is not required for stays up to 90 days. Note you are responsible to determine entry requirements for your nationality. Alpine Ascents
is happy to work closely with all climbers to determine visa/entry requirements.
US citizens can consult US State department website at:
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html
Hotels
In Reykjavík
Hotel Hekla
Brjánstaðir
Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppi
801 Selfoss
(+354) 486 5540
http://www.hotelhekla.is/english/home/
Our first night lodging is about 200 Kilometers from the airport. Please contact us directly if you would like us to make extra hotel arrangements for those arriving early or departing late.
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
Please review the Costs Include/Do Not Include portion of the brochure. With regards to personal expenses, please note that Icelandic Kronas (ISK) are the preferred method of payment. Cash in conjunction with a very small amount of travelers checks is usually the best option. Credit cards are fine at bigger hotels. Smaller places do often accept credit cards, but charge a fee. Guides are permitted to accept and greatly appreciate tips.
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 guides averages $400 per person. For Alpine Ascents guides, 7-12% 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.
We appreciated the beauty of the places we climbed and the chance to interact with Iceland’s wild places. Jon is very knowledgeable about guiding and clearly loves sharing his country. He efficiently handled all logistical issues. Jon is a gifted storyteller and knows much about the wilds and history of Iceland. He easily added context to the […]
