Elbrus is a stratovolcano located on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in Russia.
The name may derive from the Iranian Elbruz, which means ‘tall mountain’.
In Russian, Elbrus is also “Shat-gora” also found possibly from the Ingush sha – “snow, ice”, that is, “mountain covered with snow”; or from the Turkic shad – “joy”.
The first documented ascent of the lower eastern summit (5,621 m) occurred on June 22nd 1829.
It was done by the Kbardian guide, Kilar Hashirov, who took part in a scientific expedition under the leadership of general George Emmanuel (1775-1837).
In the summer of 1874, an English expedition headed by Florence Crauford Grove (1838-1902), became the first man to ascend Elbrus’ western peak (5,642 m).
In 1910, Swiss climbers Gugi and De-Rami were the first to complete the so-called “Elbrus Cross”—climbing both peaks of Elbrus in a single ascent, and in 1925 Alexandra Japaridze (1895-1974) became the first woman to climb Elbrus.