Russians like to drive very fast, especially on open roads.
Our drive from the airport at MineralInye Vody airport to Kislovodsk town was
not exactly a joy ride. We were in two vehicles and the two drivers (obviously
on retirement for some time now) were pretty much racing against each other.
And so a couple of near-misses on barrier lines later and in pouring rain we
arrived safely in town!
When we did the long off-road ride to base camp on the 4X4
the next day we were pretty much used to rough rides. Besides, the snow-covered
twin peaks of Mount Elbrus and the views of the surrounding mountain were
providing some needed distraction. I would have loved to ride in the
formidable, “Old Russia”, never-die, hard as rock machine, but watching it in
action from a bit of distance was not a bad compromise. The guys in the team
got the honours.
We did not waste time. We arrived at base camp, had lunch
and packed our day packs for the first acclamatisation hike. It was pleasant
and not too long – on fresh pair of leg the 300m we ascended did not feel like
we did any climbing. Over the next two days, acclamatisation hikes from base
camp (2500m) became harder, led us to the most amazing terrain and took us to
through some of the most challenging trails I have ever been on.