Pangea Team flag

Received my Pangea Project flag today from the programme manager Chris King.... Will hold this proudly on summit day (God Willing).

Adventure Dynamics

So today I received a signed autographed booked from Sean Disney. The author of this inspiring book and owner of Adventure Dynamics. I'm so glad I choose this company to do the expedition. They are so professional and helpful. Check out their website
www.adventuredynamics.co.za

E-ticket and itinerary received

Super excited. 😊☺Just received my e-ticket and itinerary for Elbrus Expedition!!! Elbrus here we come ⛄❄🌋

Training at gym

Training 6 days a week at the Virgin active gym in Constansia Park, Roodepoort. I alternate between the stair master and the treadmill. Treadmill on 15% incline with ankle weights on level 4.5 for 60min as well as 10min cardio and 10min core strengthing ...Alternative day is stairmaster with ankle weight for 40 min and 20min cardio. 

Training done at footholds Magalies berg

It was bitter cold again this morning but that's all part of training in all elements. It will be much colder on Elbrus,  so this is a breeze... Lol
Love the outdoors. 🏊🏄🏃🏂

Training on Northcliff Hills

Some training this morning on the Northcliff Hills with 10kg backpack. Icy cold this morning.... brrrr

Views from the hill top

Training at Westcliff stairs

Training with the backpack of 10kg at the westcliff stairs near the zoo lake... tiring but good workout

Snacks & Hydration

This is an on-going list and also important. On Kilimanjaro, I ran out of snacks coming back from the summit to basecamp and stopped by some Russian climbers who offered me tea and peanut butter sandwiches. It was the best meal!!!! Lol here is the pic of me eating and drinking with these marvelous climbers.....you can't be shy on the mountain...I was starving and stopped and asked for food :)

My list of goodies will include niknaks,  vegan chocolates and biscuits,  sweets,  nuts,  etc yum yum

First Aid Kit

This list is a work in progress, I'll update nearer to the time of packing 

Prescription:

1. Painkiller (Stilpayne or something that you know works for you)
2. Diamox (to assist with preventing altitude sickness)
3. Strong Anti-inflammatory/muscular pain (Voltaren etc)

Over the counter:

1. Immodium (Stop diarrhoea)
2. Valoid (Anti-nausea)
3. Neutrogena's Spectrum Plus Sunblock and Lip balm
4. Foot powder - stops perspiration/friction
5. Transact patches - great for sore muscles 
6. Grabber warmers - body, feet, hands
7. Flusin - effervescent cold and flu tabs
8. Ear buds, cotton wool, gauze
9. Bactroban - antiseptic ointment
10. Ear drops - pain
11. Eye drops - moisture/irritation
12. Friars Balsam - blister care
13. Blister plasters (glacier gel)
14. Moleskin
15. Felt pads
16. Stretch bandage (sprains etc)
17. Hand sanitiser 
18. Antiseptic alcohol wipes
19. Voltaren gel (muscle rub)
20. Small scissors
21. Tweezers
22. Anti-histamine cream/lotion (itches, bites/reactions)
23. Nose spray
24. Extra pair of Shoelaces
25. Anti-septic air/surface spray (barrels)
26. Water purification drops
27. Agiolax (for constipation)
28. Lighter
29. Elastic bands

It's best to customize your first aid kit and pack what you know works for you.

Always have prescribed medication with you as it's not easy to replace should your bags get delayed or lost!

My gear

I tend to get easily cold, especially my feet....lol. so the key for me staying warm is layers. I live in South Africa, so we don't have the luxury of pantogonia down jackets and fleece shells...lol. Most of my gear is k-way or first ascent. These are awesome brands and my purchases are done mostly at drifters, cape union mart or sportsmen warehouse. I use a 3 layer system, base layer, inner shell and outer shell. It's very important to keep warm as it's extremely cold on high altitude, especially on summit nights. I go by Alan's rules with my gear. You can read up on his website. Very motival mountaineer. -http://www.alanarnette.com

Alan's gear rules

1. Layer next to skin must be merino wool - breathes, wicks and doesn't stink plus feels good. 
2. Tops must have zips and collars - manage core temperature via venting or pull up to protect neck from sun and/or cold 
3. Jacket must have hood - integral part of core warmth system also serves as a stuff bag
4. Shell leg layer must have full length zips - must to get over boots and/or crampons in a hurry in bad weather 
5. Keep Neutrogena's Spectrum Plus Sunblock and Lip baum in outside pockets for easy access and frequent use
6. Always have snack in pocket for easy access. If it is a hassle to reach, you will not use it. Same goes for camera.
7. Use stuff sacks for small items and hoods for jackets or just stuff them into the open space in your pack.
8. Always keep a 'biner or two on the outside of your pack, handy for securing loose items and emergencies.

I will update my gear list as I go along and get nearer to the expedition, but this is my list for now:

• Down Jacket - First Ascent
• Technical Shell Jacket First Ascent
• Shell pants K-way
• Mid-weight fleece jacket - K-way
• Light-weight fleece top - First Ascent 
• 3 Sets Thermal underwear - First Ascent 
• Fleece hiking pants - First Ascent 
• Convertible hiking pants - First Ascent 
• 2 Summit socks 
• 4 Trekking socks 
• 4 inner lining socks 
• 2 Trekking poles - Black Diamond 
• Down mitts - First Ascent
• Liner gloves - First Ascent
• Medium weight gloves - First Ascent
• Hooded Buff 
• Beanie - First Ascent
• Duffel Bag Large - First Ascent 
• Sleeping Bag - Ice Nino (minus 8 degrees) 
• Thermal Liner - Sea to Summit Extreme thermal liner 
• Mattress - Self Inflating air mattress 
• 2 Head torch - Petzl (one as backup)
• Small Back Pack - Karimor
• Water holders - Nalgene wide mouth x3
• Bottle Insulators - Freezo x3
• Water bladder for back pack
• Snow sunglasses 
• Snow goggles 
• Full gaiters - First Ascent

The follow gear will be hired for now:

• Crampons - will hire these in Russia
• Hiking boots - will hire these in Russia

• Harness - Will hire in Russia

• Ice Axe - Will hire in Russia

My first Aid and other goodies will be in another list of things to tick off. The above is just gear

Some Motivational Mountain Quotes

Expedition info

Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano located in the western Caucasus mountain range, inKabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia. Mt. Elbrus's peak is the highest in the Caucasus, in Russia. While there are differing authorities on how the Caucasus are distributed between Europe and Asia, many sources agree that Elbrus is also the highest mountain in all of Europe.Elevation: 18,510 feet (5,642 meters) 
Prominence: 15,554 feet (4,741 meters)
Location: Caucasus Range, Russia. On the border of Asia and Europe.
Coordinates: 43°21′18″ N / 42°26′21″ E
First Ascent: 1874 by Florence Crauford Grove, Frederick Gardner, Horace Walker, Peter Knubel, and Ahiya Sottaiev (guide). 

Elbrus has two summits with the West Summit at 18,510 feet (5,642 meters) slightly higher than the East Summit at 18,442 feet (5,621 meters). 

A cable car and chairlift, built between 1959 and 1976, ferries climbers up Mount Elbrus to 12,500 feet. From there, most ascend the Standard Route up the south flank to the summit. The route is mostly free of crevasses, making it relatively safe. The Standard Route, however, is not easy with lots of snow, high winds, and a high elevation defeating many attempts. Many climbers attempting the mountain are inexperienced and ill-equipped. Most climbers take the cable car, operating from 9 a.m to 3 p.m., and stay overnight at the Diesel Hut. An alpine start at 2 in the morning allows enough for climbers to reach the summit and descend to the cable car/chairlift in time for the last ride down. 

Climbers regularly die on Mount Elbrus, as many as 30 a year. In 2004 alone, 48 climbers and skiers died on the mountain. Elbrus is considered one of the world’s most deadly peaks with a high ratio of climber deaths to climbers.

Prep for my expedition

I'm planning my trip to Mount Elbrus in Russia. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011 and although I climbed many other mountains in Europe, these were challenging hikes and not mountaineering climbs. These are some pics from Kili and other climbs I did,  as well as other adventures.  I'm very passionate about nature and this is wonderful to push yourself and get outside your comfort zone.I've always had this absolute fascination with mountains, and a couple of years ago decided that I'd actually like to attempt the 7 summits.I hope you find my posts with information helpful and inspiring.