Time has really flown and I leave for Russia tomorrow! The last ten days have been all about doing harder training sessions and working to get the message out so we can have the donations come in. I think the training aspect has gone better than the communications aspect, but then again everyone tells me that the donations will start coming in once I summit and the days immediately after. Here is to hoping!!

In the meantime and if you would like to make a donation please click:

One thing that has been amazing over the last ten days is the weather here in London. I know it may seem sad to some of the lucky ones that live in eternally sunny weather but for us to have 7 days of uninterrupted sun and temperatures bordering 30C is close to miraculous! Mateo has been loving going to the outdoor kid´s pool and playing in the sandpit.

 Given that it has been almost 6 years since I went trekking on mountains I am amazed at the new gadgets that are out there to make the trek more comfortable and accessible. The one I HAD to get is the solar panel charger! This will enable me to have my mobile phone and camera batteries fully charged whilst I am in high altitude. It only weighs half a kilo and will ensure that I can communicate with the outside world. That is specially important as I have been in conversations with La W radio station in Colombia and they are keen to follow my progress. So there is a very big chance that Colombians waking up and turning on their radio will hear me huffing and puffing whilst I am on the ascent! I still find it amazing that I will be able to communicate with any part of the world from the mountain thanks to my mobile phone.

Here is a picture of the solar gadget:

People have been asking me if I feel nervous about going to a dangerous place and trekking at high altitude. To me the answer is always the same: "not really". Before booking the trip we did some solid research on the area and the guide companies that had the most experience. We made sure that this part of the Caucasus is not involved in any of the neighbouring conflicts (Chechnya or South Osetia) and the company we are going with, Adventure Alternatives  has more than 20 years experience in ascending to Mount Elbrus. That and the fact that our guide is a former Soviet rowing champion from the area assures me that we are in the best hands possible.

As for schedule whilst we are in Russia here it is:

Saturday June 7: Depart UK or Ireland - 2230 Aeroflot to Moscow. Night flight.

Sunday June 8: Arrive in Moscow at 0510. Depart to Mineralnye Vody 0910 hrs (Aeroflot). Arrive 2pm.
Coach transfer to Terskol and Cheget (4 hours). Dinner & Rest

Monday June 9: Trekking to Cheget Peak (2600m), 5 hours. Day pack only.

Tuesday June 10: Hike up to Vertoletny (Helicopter) Pass (alt. 3000m) takes 5 hours.

Wednesday June 11: Day hike to Terskol Valley.

Thursday June 12: Hike to Old Vista station (alt. 3,000m)
Afternoon walk to scenic lake below glacier

Friday June 13: Hike to Bochki Barrels. Six persons to a 'barrel'.
Lunch. Cooking in common catering building.
Afternoon - walk up to "Priut of 11" ("Cabin of 11") for acclimatisation. Return to Bochki for dinner and overnight.

Saturday June 14: Transfer up to "Priut of 11" with luggage. Accommodation at "Priut of 11".

Training for use of crampons and ice axe. Possible walk up to Pastukhov Rocks. Night in "Priut of 11"

Sunday June 15: Walk up to Pastukhov Rocks or rest day and training. Depends on weather and group. Possible summit day if good conditions.

Monday June 16: Summit Day - awake at 4am.
Walk from Priut to summit and back will take 10 or 11 hours.
Return to Terskol/Cheget, go to hotel and relax. Celebration dinner.

Wednesday June 17: Departure from Terskol at 8.00am.Transfer to MinVody (4 hrs). Flight to Moscow 12.45. ?Flight to London 17.45. Arrive in London 20.45

In order to follow the route precisely here is a map of the region and of the ascent route:

I am still not sure if there will be internet access from the mountain but we have devised a very avant garde procedure with the people of Conexion Colombia to ensure that I can blog from the mountains.

Before I finish I just wanted to tell you about the amazing conversation I had with one of the teenage moms today. I was talking to her as she was in the HQ of the foundation in Bogota (Way to go Skype!!). She is one of the graduates of the one year program that I am raising money for. She is 19 had her son Juan Sebastian 5 years ago (you can do the math) and enrolled in the foundation right after Juan Sebastian's birth. Needless to say she was dejected, rejected by her family and abandoned by Juan's father and only 15!!
Today I spoke to a University undergrad in Physiotherapy that was awarded a scholarship by one of the foundation's corporate sponsor because of her academic brilliance. In addition to her studies she is still part of the programs of the foundation and is the proud mother of Juan Sebastian. I was to taken back by her words that I started asking her for parenting tips for Mateo!!! This is just an incredible reality check and inspirational boost for the days ahead.

Finally, I want to thank all the people that have already donated and helped me reach my first USD thousand!! 7.5 to go!!

If you would like to donate in Conexion's new English site please click:  https://pagos.conexioncolombia.com/resultados_busqueda_proyectos.aspx?consult=yes&ProjectTypeID=20&Currency=COP

Thanks for reading and please keep reading!!

Andres