I left Accra at 6pm on June 16, 2024, heading to Russia to climb the highest mountain in Europe – Mount Elbrus, which is 5,642 meters tall.
The journey was long and exhausting. The flight from Accra to Dubai took about 9 hours, followed by a 17-hour layover. Waiting that long was boring, but there was no other choice.
The flight from Dubai to Mineralnye Vody in Russia took about 2 hours and 40 minutes, and I landed at 1:20am on June 17.
After clearing immigration, I went to pick up my bags but discovered my hiking backpack, containing essential gear and Ghanaian food – Gari, Shito, Gari soakings, fante kenkey, sardines, was missing. I filed a complaint at the lost and found desk, but the form was in Russian and the lady didn’t speak English. Feeling frustrated and exhausted, I was grateful when Pasha, my driver, helped me fill out the form despite speaking little English.
I tried using translation apps and social media to update my followers, but they were blocked.
Pasha and I left the airport at 3am and drove three hours to Elbrus village, where I was to join my teammates, Nancy and Akin. Pasha’s car, which he called a Ferrari, sped down the dark, mostly empty highway. We were stopped by the police for a routine check, but finally arrived at the hotel around 5:30am. I settled into my room at 6am.
Despite being exhausted, I joined the team for breakfast at 7:30am and set off for the first acclimatization hike to Terskol Waterfalls, reaching 2,800 meters. My feet hurt terribly because I had to rent boots that were too big, but I didn’t want to miss the hike.
Despite the discomfort, I enjoyed the stunning waterfalls, snowy mountains, and beautiful vegetation. The six-hour hike was tough, but worth it. We ended the day with a debrief and dinner, ready to rest and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Through all the challenges, I kept going, inspired by the beauty of nature and the goal of reaching the summit of Mount Elbrus. The journey taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance, even when the path is difficult.
Do Hard Things
