Monday 30th August and at last I have the motivation to update the web site!!

In the first two weeks of July 2010 I attempted to climb the highest mountain in Europe.... Mt Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus; at 18,500ft a little lower than Kilimanjaro (which I did in 2007)  but with much more snow and ice.

It was hard but I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world. After two days ascending and descending from 6,500 to 10,000 ft we moved all our stuff including food for 240 meals up to a hostel at 10,000ft. There were 13 in the party plus guides and a cook. Another day moving into the snow and ice covering vast lava fields and then after two more days of trecking up to 13,000ft to aclimatise, we bunked down in a sort of converted  container at around 13,500 ft. From there a day up to 14,500 ft and then a days rest before attempting the summit.

Sadly I had also spent these days developing a heavy head cold which wasn't helping much so for summit day up at 3.30 am, a short ride on a snow cat, and off we set. Elbrus is an extinct volcano. The going was smooth but always steep and we spent most of the time traversing. The sun rose but by about 8am I had had it. A combination of total breathlessness and worn out legs forced me to turn back at about around 16,500ft. It was deeply disappointing.