On June the 8th we arrived in Min Vody Airport where we were met by our Russian Guide, Uri.After the usual inspection of our paperwork we made the long journey (3 hours) into the Valley to the foot of Mount Elbrus. On the way we met a lot of animals on the the road, wandering aimlessly, the driver swerving a number of times to avoid a collision. At the hotel we were given our intinary for the next 11 days. Each day, except one, involved high altitude climbing, all above 3000m. The following is a brief view at our intinary: 9th June - Aclimitisation Climb to Cheget 3000m 10th June - Aclimitisation Climb in Valley 3200m 11th June - Aclimitisation Climb to Diesel Huts 4100m 12th June - Aclimitisation Climb to Pastohof Rocks 13th June - Aclimitisation Climb to top of ice field 5000m 14th June - Rest Day at base camp (The Barrels) 3700m 15th June - No Summit due to bad weather 16th June - Summit attempt, got within 300m (5300m) but had to retreat due to a strom. We took shelter in a snow cave for more than an hour and a half untill the strom subsided enough for us to decend. It was very, very scary. We both knew that 11 people had pirshed on the exact spot we were at the month previous due to bad weather. Two of the bodies still remained, in body bags, awaiting recovery. However, our guide was excellent, using his gps to find the snow cave (as visability was only about 2 meters). When we enter the cave, as calm as you like, Uri said "now we'll have tea"! He also said "we can go to the top of Elbrus........ but we will die", with a smile on his face. We promptly decended. 17th June - No Summit attempt due to bad weather 18th June - No Summit attempt due to bad weather. Our guided tour also finished. 19th June - Decided to continue on our own and try to summit unguided. However, the weather stopped us again. 20th June - We successfully led an independent team of two Americans, a Scot and ourselves to the summit of the highest mountain in Europe. Unguided!