T
Dream World Adventures presents:
Elbrus 2010 Adventures Blog
Friends, family and followers of the Dream World Adventures Elbrus 2010 expedition are welcome to click below to post comments.
The Dream World Adventures Elbrus' 10 expedition will be updated on a daily basis with the progress of the group.
The team departs on Thursday 05 Aug 2010 and will be returning to South Africa on Wednesday 18 Aug 2010.
Monday 16 Aug ‘10 |
Our midnight train arrived spot on time yesterday morning. A pleasant trip! The temperamental weather of Russia's 2nd largest city saw us confined indoors for much of the afternoon, thankfully in Gostiny Dvor, a huge and varied mall. The rain did clear however, allowing us to see several of the city's attractions. A good night's sleep was had by all. Today we went on an excursion to Peterhoff. This opulent summer palace was truly something to behold! It's many golden statues, spilling fountains and colourful gardens made it a highlight in our memories of the many contrasts that exist in Russia. We leave for Moscow again tonight.
|
|
Sunday 15 Aug ‘10 |
We arrive in St. Petersburg at 08h00 – time enough to freshen up and plan the day’s activities. St. Petersburg. Another city that never sleeps, there is always something happening somewhere!
|
|
Saturday 14 Aug ‘10 |
We have an early flight back to Moscow, so another early start today! Upon arrival in Moscow at 10h50 we will drive to the train station and store our luggage before hitting the streets once again in search of some more of those famous Moscow sights. Tonight we take the overnight train to St. Petersburg.
|
Comments:
Love |
Friday 13 Aug ‘10 |
Today we look a leisurely stoll to the Terskol Valley. More
walking but enjoyed by all. We depart at 4am tomorrow for MonVody.descent to Azau Glade for a bistro lunch before returning to
the hotel.
|
Comments:
From Jeff Gardner
I am so glad that we have summited!! hahaha
Then... which mountain next?
Love
Lots of Love
|
Thursday 12 Aug ‘10 |
Today we descent to Azau Glade for a bistro lunch before returning to
the hotel.
|
Comments:
From Nora Reynecke
Noors
Lovies
|
Wednesday 11 Aug ‘10 |
|
This morning required an early start. With favourable weather the team left the hut in the darkest hours just before dawn and begin our ascent of the Western Summit of Elbrus (5 642m), hoping to stand on Europe’s highest point later this morning Zig-zagging up the slope past Pastukhov Rocks and into the saddle between the Eastern & Westerns peaks – 2 snow-cones towering over the range – the gradient become a real challenge here and going was slow, but worth it in the end. Now back at Blue Hut I'm happy to report that both the Cohen brother (the gass men), Henk, Johan & Renier sucsessfully summited Mt. Elbrus at 10h20 under the watchfull eye of Viktor, our Russian mountain guide. Unfortunitally due to mountain sickness our good Dr Shava could not go all the way, and I saw him safely down the mountain to the hut. Tonight everyone will surely crash,albeit with the chainsaw gang. Tomorrow we head back to the hotel for some serious r&r. |
![]() |
Comments:
From Jill Harvey Big wave from the top, please! Love from the Jill Harvey
Katie Cohen
Groete,
Heleen
Could you see our house from up there? Love Katie, Sydney and Georgia. Mwah Regards Katie Cohen
|
Tuesday 10 Aug ‘10 |
|
Today was an acclimatization
hike up to Pastukhov Rocks (4 700m), and we had the most perfect
weather. The fact that none got much sleep due to several champion
snorers on the team was not to deter us from the day's goal.
The slow plod to this higher elevation also aids
in getting acquainted with our gear.
The panoramas are breathtaking in more ways than one!
We got to the Rocks just before the snow arrived and managed to have our
lesson in self-arrest with our ice axe..great fun!
Now all safely down at the hut, rehydrating and
getting in some vital nutrition. All focus will now be on getting well
fed, hydrated and rested for our summit bid tomorrow. |
![]() ![]() |
Comments:
From Nora Reynecke Looks like all is well for an awesome experience! Ons dink aan jou, jy moet dit baie geniet! J Nora & Alisha
From Ansa Klopper
Thinking of you all in the team!
From
a NOT-So-COLD, but cold Bloemfontein!
From
Keet Pretorius Sterkte, Keet
From Letha Viljoen
Klink of alles goed gaan daar in die groot ooptes. Lyk ongelooflik! Neem
baie foto's (en moenie die kamera verloor nie)!
Sterkte vir môre!!
Letha
From Nora Reynecke
Best
of luck with your summit attempt tomorrow! Ons hou duimvas vir goeie
weer!
Nora
& Alisha
|
Monday 09 Aug ‘10 |
|
After breakfast we drive to the Azau Glade at the base of Mt. Elbrus. Here we elevate by the Elbrus Cableway , a series of gondolas and a ski-lift, to the Garabashi Station (3 750m) and location of the well-know Barrel Huts. We walk on by and slowly up the slope to the Blue Hut (4 080m), our base camp for the climb. Taking it easy in the hut, with a possible afternoon stroll to explore the area and ruins of Priyut of 11 Refuge, we will rest as best possible and look forward to a good dinner and night’s sleep. |
![]() ![]() |
Comments: From Jaun Brand Vir Rennie Jy beter bo uitkom. Klim boetie, klim. Ons kyk vir
jou. P.S. Onthou ons Vodka
From Joey Pienaar Hi Rose and your Mt Elbrus party Enjoy your adventure! We are stolling up that mountain with you, in our minds! Only in our minds... Keep on happy strolling. We think of you. All the best. From Joey & Dina and the Kilima Kidogo guesthouse team in Zanzibar
xx
From DJ Jaco &Chris To Johan: We just had a great weekend skiing in the Maluti mountains we were also at 3700m!!!!
Good luck climbing love you DJ Jaco &Chris xx
From Les Gardner Go team! Good to hear you're there safely, now the real adventure can begin... Les & Kim Gardner
|
Sunday 08 Aug ‘10 |
|
With our 1st couple of days in Russia we have already been served huge dollops of adventure. Having spent the entire day yesterday waiting for our domestic flight to Min-Vody,we did eventually get away at 2am. We were in time for breakfast at the hotel and now the team is attempting to work in a couple of hours' sleep before we head for an acclimatization hike on a peak nearby. Spirits are good though-thank you for all the words of encouragement! |
![]() |
|
Saturday 07 Aug ‘10 |
|
All flights delayed due to the weather. Waiting on an update to see if we need to make a plan B with bus/train. Such is the nature of adventure.
|
![]() |
Comments:
From Coobah Klerksdorp |
Friday 06 Aug ‘10 |
|
The group arrived at Doha early at 6.50. It was already 35C when we arrived. We really must be thankful for the weather we have in SA. All's well. Hanging round.
|
![]() |
|
Thur 05 Aug ‘10 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Russia here we come! After many months of preparation, sorting out gear and attempting to get it all packed… we leave Johannesburg in the late evening hours headed for Moscow via Doha. Although it is quite normal to expect extremely hot weather in Qatar, we are trying hard to calm fears of the current heat wave that has Russia in its clutches. Experiencing 40C temperatures in Moscow is totally unheard of – at least in the past 100 years of recording! But we will take it as it comes and keep well hydrated. | |
Comments: From Katie Cohen To Rose and the Mt Elbrus team
From the PE Kili girls
Johan: Have a wonderful flight we miss you already! |
Back to Dream World Adventures home page
DREAM WORLD ADVENTURES
E-mail :
webenquiry@dreamworldadventures.co.za
Skype name :
dreamworldadventures
Tel : +27 12 331 6730 (South Africa)
Fax :
+ 27 86 500 4293 (South Africa)
P.O. BOX 23308
GEZINA
0031