Photo: Building in mountain camp
Sep 20, 1985 I was really worn out from the previous days hike. We had hiked perhaps 3 hours and gained a mile in altitude during the ascent of Dongus-Orun Pass. I was relieved because now it appeared I would live through this vacation after all.
Mike had been talking about trying to climb Elbrus by going up today and doing the summit tomorrow morning. He was about to get his supplies ready when word came from Priute 11 that high winds had come up, making any summit attempts impossible, and forcing the remaining hopeful climbers in the refuge to come down the mountain. This morning was a time to rest and compare notes with the Elbrus climbers. Annie and Jack, an older South Carolina couple, had both climbed Elbrus. Annie had climbed both summits. Two West Germans were in the hospital with frostbitten fingers and feet from being out in severe cold without adequate equipment.
Photo: Group at shish kabob restaurant
The Russian guides took us to a local restaurant for a shashlik lunch. Shashlik was meat on a stick. During the meal Taya mentioned privately that many Russians spend their lives trying to beat the economic system. She also believed there is a significant difference in attitudes and views between those Russians over 40 and the younger generation.
When we returned to the hotel, the Priute climbers had arrived. They were very tired from their hike down Elbrus. It had been very difficult climbing to the trams because of the high winds. The high winds had forced the trams to cease operations which meant they had to walk that much farther.
I slept through 4:00 PM lunch but finally came around for 8:00 dinner. In the last two weeks it appeared that most of the Americans had developed a respect for the Russian guides and for Mt. Elbrus. Although Elbrus did not require technical climbing skills, the volatile weather conditions made it a challenge.
Photo: View of valley
Photo: View of valley
Photo: Mural at car elevator
Photo: Car elevator
Map of USSR
