RMH most exclusive Vitaly Stegno signature project that allows you to experience once in a lifetime chance to climb one of the Seven Summits and to stand on top of the very highest peak on the European continent – Mount Elbrus (5642 m) in just 1 DAY without any acclimatization. One weekend. One of the Seven Summits. In & Out. 100% Safety. We made it possible.

Exclusive Private Mount Elbrus Climb with Oxygen in 1 DAY

Climb Mount Elbrus in 1 DAY? Are you serious? Yes, we are. That’s what Elbrus Spacewalk Project is all about. That is your unique chance to summit Mount Elbrus in just 1 day – the very top of Europe and one of the Seven Summits.

At RMH, we are innovators, and we strive to push the limits in everything we do, still pursuing the perfection and guaranteeing you the highest level of safety throughout the entire climb. That is our mission, and we have been following it for the last 65+ years since 1953.

Today, new technologies along with RMH ultimate Mount Elbrus guiding experience, exceptional qualification of RMH Guides, and our deep local Elbrus knowledge allow you to climb Mount Elbrus in 1 day, even with less training and trekking experience level than that is required for a classic Mount Elbrus climbing expedition. The program below is a completely different format of climbing Mount Elbrus and something that we believe is truly incredible.

Meeting at Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) and transfer to the RMH Lodge in Terskol village by private RMH van. Accommodation at the RMH lodge. Welcome briefing and orientation. Signing Waivers and required documentation. Gear check. Overnight stay at the RMH lodge.

Ascent to the High Camp by cable car. Accommodation at the mountain lodge at 3850 m. Acclimatization hike to Priyut Hut № 11 – 4100 m. Overnight stay at the mountain lodge.

Summit day. Mount Elbrus Western Summit climb – 5642 m. Same day descent all the way back down to the RMH Lodge in Terskol by cable car. Overnight stay at the RMH lodge or transfer back to MRV Airport and late evening flight back home.

per person incl. taxes

HOW IT HAPPENS

Mount Elbrus standing massively at 5642 m (18,510 ft.)  is one of the Seven Summits, and the highest peak on the European continent. Mount Elbrus climbing is not technically difficult, however still gives the climber very high altitude expose. The biggest challenge when climbing Mount Elbrus is to overcome the high altitude and the lack of oxygen. At high altitudes above 3,800 meters, mountain sickness arises from the lack of oxygen. The higher you ascend; the more discharge is the air. Although there is as much oxygen at high altitudes as at sea level (21%), atmospheric pressure is much lower up there. Since the air molecules of all its constituent gases are located at a greater distance from each other, breathing in the usual volume of air, we breathe less oxygen (O2). The partial pressure in the lungs becomes narrowed. As a result, blood oxygen saturation decreases. If a climber without/or with bad acclimatization continues to ascend, he will end up with cerebral or pulmonary edema or heart failure. These are the most basic risk components of climbing at high altitudes. Therefore, at high altitudes we use step acclimatization, that is we first ascend to a certain height then descend, etc. Normally, it takes at least 8 days to climb Mount Elbrus. That is the time required for the human body to get used to high altitude environment and the lack of oxygen in big mountains. For successful acclimatization, you must have the minimum required climbing experience to know how your body reacts to high altitude conditions. You need to either climb big mountains regularly or take part in high-altitude training programs with a personal coach. Both require a lot of time, effort, and money. When climbing Mount Elbrus your body gets significantly less oxygen than it gets at a more familiar altitude to you. That is a fact and the main problem you have to deal with.

The lack of oxygen, which is the main risk factor when climbing Mount Elbrus, is eliminated in this program, because we climb with oxygen.

Moreover, while conquering the summit with oxygen, you will feel the same way you feel below, but if necessary, you can even get more oxygen than you get at normal to your body altitude. It is achieved by the flow selector which is controlling the oxygen supply rate. Therefore, with oxygen you can go faster and feel much better than those who already have acclimatization but go without oxygen.

That is why Elbrus Spacewalk program does not require having multi-day acclimatization for successfully reaching the summit of Mount Elbrus in just 1 day.

HOW WE DO IT

Like any other RMH trip, this program is designed for you to reach the summit of Mount Elbrus successfully, safely, and having fun. Unlike our classic Elbrus climbing tours, there is no need for multi-day acclimatization, since we use oxygen.

We run this trip only in a private 1 to 1 format on an individual request. You can choose the date of ascent and the date of arrival at Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) by yourself, so the climb can be organized almost any day between June and the first week of September if the guides are available. This is a subject to discuss!

The weather is the only limitation in the Elbrus Spacewalk program. Although the ascent takes only 1 day, it is still climbing at high altitudes in big mountains, and the weather is always a decisive factor up there. It is directly related to safety issues. It is important to understand that and take it into account before booking this trip. At RMH, we always do our best and work hard to see you successfully reaching the summit of Elbrus, however your complete safety is always the most important factor and our top priority in any case no matter what. Based on the weather forecast, we determine whether the ascent is possible or not on the day of your choice and inform you about it. Then we either make an ascent on your chosen dates or offer you another day when the weather forecast is most favourable. Before booking this program, you will have to go through a short video interview to get acquainted with Vitaly Stegno – the RMH Founder & Lead Guide.

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?

This program has been designed for businessmen, photographers and VIP clients for whom sport-style climbing is not a priority and time and fun is a key factor.

Climbing Mount Elbrus in 1 day using oxygen gear is physically easier than a classic climb, and therefore is suitable for anyone who wants to stand on the Top of the Europe and see its amazing beauty with their own eyes, and feel what climbing in big mountains at high altitudes is like. All of this won’t require months of preparation for the climb, hard training as well as working on sophisticated travel logistics in Russia..

For example, you are travelling with your party in Moscow or St. Petersburg, and decide to climb Mount Elbrus tomorrow already! And BOOM! We got you covered! Now Elbrus Spacewalk Project makes it possible.

THE REQUIRED PHYSICAL TRAINING & FITNESS LEVEL

Even though climbing Mount Elbrus in 1 day with oxygen is much easier than a standard classic ascent, it’s still important to understand that you’re going to conquer one of the Seven Summits, the highest peak on the European continent, ascend an altitude of 5,642 meters above sea level in 1 day and it’s not like an excursion or trip to an amusement park. It is a long and physically demanding day. The ascend takes 8-11 hours climbing uphill on 45+ degree slopes and 4-5 hours descending all the way back down. Even with oxygen, it is very stressful for the human body. Before you make a decision to do it, it’s important to make sure that your physical fitness and state of health will allow you to do this. You must have a very good level of physical training and fitness. Besides, it is a mandatory requirement to have a complete absence of any (even minimal) medical contraindications to heavy physical activities.

We guarantee your maximum safety in all technical aspects on the mountain in terms of the oxygen and climbing equipment we use, as well as the level of qualification and professionalism of each RMH guide and mountain rescuers who will be guiding you. Nevertheless, upon arrival at RMH Lodge, you will be asked to sign the relevant documents confirming that you are aware of all the risks associated with your health and the level of your physical fitness and TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR HEALTH.

IS SUCH CLIMBING DANGEROUS AND WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All possible risks are minimized in the Elbrus Spacewalk program. The biggest challenge and the main difficulty in climbing Mount Elbrus is overcoming the high altitude and the lack of oxygen. This program eliminates these problems as you breathe oxygen. We use the most innovative and tested elite oxygen gear for climbing at high altitudes available for today on the market, which has proved to be the most reliable oxygen gear on Mount Everest for years, so the chances that an item of our oxygen equipment may fail during the ascent are virtually ruled out. Nevertheless, on the summit push, the guides have a spare set of oxygen equipment including a full oxygen cylinder, oxygen facemask and a flow selector in a special backpack in case of emergency.

All technical aspects of the climb, such as slope inclination, narrow sections of the trail, use of a self-belay leash, use of an ice axe, navigation in bad weather conditions and whiteout, communication with rescuers, etc. are strictly controlled by RMH Guides and Mountain Rescuers in the group.

We also use the most advanced satellite communication technologies, so anywhere on the mountain at any second during the summit ascent, we are in touch with the Central Mountain Rescue Service Department.

Besides, since we climb via the South Route, in case of emergency, we always have an opportunity to lower you down to the very bottom of the mountain from any point on the route in a few hours using a snowmobile or a snowcat, where you can be given required first aid right away.

DESPITE ALL THIS, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND:

Alpine climbing or mountaineering in any kind always comes with a certain risk that we can’t completely control and is dangerous. Our job is to reduce this risk to a minimum as much as possible, but it’s still there as this is a wild nature. Climbing Mount Elbrus with oxygen we spend 1 full day in the wild backcountry at high altitudes above 5000 meters. Buying this trip you have to fully understand and be aware of the seriousness of the Mount Elbrus climbing program and the possibility of the risk. Upon arrival at the RMH lodge on the first day of the trip, you will be asked to carefully read and sign the RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT.

IS THE SUMMIT GUARANTEED?

No, it isn’t. In any kind of mountaineering either with or without oxygen, whether it is an easy or difficult ascent, you can never say with 100% certainty that the summit is guaranteed. Successful summit ascent depends on several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to the following: weather conditions, your physical and moral condition, time, the technical condition of the route, and the absence of any force majeure factors.

Ensuring your safety at any time and under any circumstances is the most important task for us. This is what you exactly pay us as guides for. Making the right decision on time is our job. Therefore, at any moment during the ascent, if your safety is in danger, we may decide to stop climbing and guide the group down.

However, due to the use of oxygen, the chance of successfully reaching the summit is 90% in this program, as long as the weather is favourable and your physical condition is good.

FAQ