Mount Elbrus — Europe’s Highest Mountain
Michael Welty, a real estate professional based in New Jersey, is managing partner at 247 Enterprise, a property management firm in Aspen, Colorado. Moreover, he is a partner at the Aspen Development Partners real estate company in Sea Bright, New Jersey. A world traveler and mountain climber, Michael Welty has summited Mount Elbrus in Russia.
Mount Elbrus, a dormant volcano situated in the Caucasus Mountains, lies along the border between Russian and Georgia. At over 5,600 meters or more than 18,500 feet tall, it rises highest among all European mountains, making it a prized destination for climbers who wish to conquer the most formidable peaks on each continent.
The best time to attempt to summit Elbrus is in the late summer, when the weather is most predictable. However, even in July and August, Elbrus climbers can expect temperatures to fall anywhere from 18 degrees to -22 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the elevation.
Elbrus is not for the faint of heart or for inexperienced climbers. In fact, the mountain claims the lives of many people a year. In 2004, nearly 50 individuals lost their lives on the mountain. Due to its high body count, Elbrus has a reputation as among the most perilous peaks on Earth.
