2021 MOUNT ELBRUS TRAGEDY: What Happened To Russian Hikers?

[@MlaskiMlask]

So 2 guides divided the original group into fast and slow group, and then BOTH guides went with the faster group? Outrageous.

[@Mutiny960]

Sounds to me like they made a decision on who was most likely to live and who was most likely to die. They got rid of the slower people, mostly the women who probably succumbed first due to less body mass, and chose to save themselves. The guy's wife was right, he probably stayed behind to help b/c the guides chose to leave all those girls to die without actually telling them they were going to die. It's despicable only the Head Guide was arrested for negligence.

[@meganemmahumphreys]

@@Mutiny960 especially when both leaders where aware of the incoming weather and still decided to allow everyone to continue climbing. I don’t understand how these guides made so many bad decisions.

[@hc_ox4842]

Exactly, I’d understand some creative roping to descend. But you don’t break up a group, especially when things aren’t going as planned.

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

@@hc_ox4842 I understand separating slow & fast to not hold back everyone but INEXCUSABLE to not have any guides with the slower group ugh

[@disinstqme1840]

I think like the earlier person said: they divided into who was most likely to survive and the guides saw clearly enough and ditched the other :/ human survival instinct at it's best.

[@crazymulgogi]

Having watched a few too many K2, Everest and other mountaineering videos I now suffer from "hypoyoutubia altitudinensis." Symptoms: having the idea that all those adventures take place on a completely different planet, endless fascination and seeing imaginary newspaper headlines such as "Millions of Lives Saved by Not Going on Dangerous Mountain Hike Trips".

[@jennymichie5175]

Me too...only difference being, that I HONESTLY BELIEVE that I could somehow arrive (teleport?) to the top of the mountain and have the time of my life snowboarding back down. Just to clarify.... I'm well aware I'd be dead the minute I hit the peak.... asthmatic, overweight and haven't done any x-sports for....ummm...13yrs, give or take 😐

[@honor9lite1337]

😮

[@stinkfist4205]

Hahaha

[@annmcclure8378]

Endlessly fascinating, I must admit. Strictly armchair observer, of course.

[@SNOWFLAKEI]

I am from this part of Russia and was following the rescue operation until 2 am on that night. Rescue crew made an absolutely amazing job considering weather conditions. It's a shame they were not alarmed much earlier on the day of the ascent when the group didn't return to the camp on time. I believe guides lost it completely, and as the result 5 people lost their lives. But what's weird is that the owner of the company was under arrest, not the guides themselves. PS Mount Elbrus is a magical but very dangerous place

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

So sorry for the loss of your countrymen. I agree that the guides should be held accountable. If they governments do not regulate the industry, the industry should do so.

[@lemmeinnowplz]

From this video, it would seem that problems started to appear before 9AM and grew worse, with emergency services being called at 7PM and recovery of outliers being achieved by 11PM. It's a shame they weren't called earlier.

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

@@lemmeinnowplz And criminal every guide literally put themselves 1st & abandoned the slower climbing group ugh

[@isabellind1292]

@@kathleenmuchka2559 If these climbers researched how many guides were suppose to accompany climbers in any given ascent and still went even though they knew there were not enough guides, that's their fault to do it anyway. Especially when they're participating in a high risk activity. It's called personal responsibility.

[@davesmith5656]

Not that I know (I don't) but Rob Hall stayed with his dying client on Mt. Everest, and died, himself. He might possibly have saved himself, and returned to another client waiting for him further down the mountain. The waiting client (Beck Weathers) ultimately did survive, but was severely jeopardized and injured by waiting. Which action should Hall have taken? I believe that the general rule is simple: people who attempt these summits must be prepared to be abandoned should they become incapacitated. That preservation of rescuers is not dissimilar to ocean rescue attempts where it is understood that the rescuer should not continue the attempt if that would almost certainly result in his own death. E.g. Rescue helicopters will not fly if the weather obviously does not permit safe flying. Did the owner of the company place everyone, including his guides, in danger, by allowing the expedition?

[@medea27]

I wholeheartedly agree with the experienced mountaineer who said that it's one thing for experienced climbers to decide to climb in sketchy weather, but they were paying those guides precisely because they were inexperienced climbers & they _trusted them_ to make safe decisions. It's reprehensible that there were _places of refuge_ that the guides never even tried for.... most peaks don't have snowcat access & fumaroles to bunker down in until rescuers can reach you, so the fact that the guides made no attempt to utilise those back-up options tells me everything I need to know about the 'qualifications' of the guides & the company selling budget climbs. RIP to the victims 🤍

[@janno895]

Aaq

[@alinonymous]

The guides let their patrons decide, most likely to avoid accusations of being unsupportive, lazy, or cowardly.

[@gala_pi]

And the most disgusting thing that the company is still operating like nothing happened. Just 1 person held accountable the rest still working.

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

None were victims, they chose to be there every step of the way. If they were victims, it was of their own idiocy/ego... The real victims are the family they left behind.

[@Itried20takennames]

Totally agree, but there is often an economic conflict of interest - with the guides that rightly say “no, not going - the conditions aren’t right” having either angry clients or fewer clients. I think many clients understand “not safe” but there are plenty of “look, I paid 5k for the trip here, the weather looks fine now no matter what the forecast is, why did that other group go out yesterday, and you aren’t?”

[@acul7919]

Sad story. Inconpetence from the guides. Going to the mountains is not a joke. I come from the alps and you won't believe how many times every weekend the rescue teams have to go save people that underestimate the conditions and their physical abilities. Great content, by the way.

[@dominusetdeus060644]

The guy who taught me a lot about mountain climbing told me "the mountain can kill you. And your ego can kill you. If You combine them you're surely dead" just try again later. The mountain ain't going anywhere

[@theodoresmith5272]

I found out on a little walk in French alps, the mountain can kill you fast. Kept my head, relaxed and kept focused and moving.

[@mainemermaid6596]

​​@@dominusetdeus060644- Exactly. I think people go up when they know they shouldn't because they've invested a lot of money in travel and gear, and have a reservation with a climbing company that can't be easily rescheduled due to demand. Canceling (or turning back on the mountain) would mean a substantial monetary loss, so they go up, or press on (as do their guides - who are under pressure from the company, and want the reputation and paycheck), even when common sense dictates they not. That, combined with the egos of the climbers, and those who have lots of money, but not the necessary level of experience and physical fitness, is a recipe for disaster.

[@darkestkhan]

Mountain Spirit, right? I am from a forested area, we have Forest Spirit. The general trend seems to be that regardless of faith, people living close to the wilderness develop a belief in the Spirit relevant to their surroundings. This is because disrespecting the Wild will kill you.

[@nunyabidness5505]

Pride indeed is a deadly sin.

[@banjoist123]

It seems that in almost every story of tragic mountain expeditions, the season is "pushed." Either too late in the season or too early. Great video. I really appreciate the real footage and photos. This is the first I've heard of this incident.

[@dominusetdeus060644]

Same. Just now hearing of it

[@Flame44]

Summit fever. They become almost desperate to reach the top.

[@borntoclimb7116]

Same like the deadly accidents in the german, swiss and austria alps.

[@jamiecaplan3751]

Dunno if its the case on this mountain but more people are completing summits, some like it more quite so climbers are more likely to take risks to get no crowds.

[@michaelvatri9457]

@@dominusetdeus060644 ¹

[@lesflynn4455]

Splitting the group and leaving the "slow" group with no so-called professionals is totally unforgiveable. Did all the fatalaties occur in the so called slow group? I'm assuming so.

[@nydunn5569]

mind blowing that the two guides decided to go with the faster group and leave a group of inexperienced women behind as the slower group. doesn’t make any sense.

[@gala_pi]

@@nydunn5569 they left them to die. They knew what was happening and saved their assess.

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

@@nydunn5569 They literally abandoned the slower climbers putting themselves first ugh

[@colt_45benson56]

If the alternative was the whole group dying because they were being slowed down. It was the right decision. You can be a hero and die one someone else’s behalf but no one should be expected to.

[@nameless3073]

@@colt_45benson56 I guess the saying is true you either die a hero or live to be the villain

[@junkyardflower]

modern cases with footage from snapchat or instagram always hit a little harder, you can view these videos as easily as you could view your own that you took back in september, the chilling difference being that these are the memories of people who aren't here anymore due to unfortunate circumstances. i can only mutter "they were having so much fun" before of course all the shite hit the fan keep up with the content, its incredible

[@blwolz8772]

Obviously the weather was a factor but the guides were definitely not experienced enough to guide. Such a tragedy people attempt something so dangerous with inadequate guides.

[@trentdawg2832]

Sounds like the current u.s government of today

[@samaranix4232]

Not enough guides is a big problem. That's probably why the slow group was abandoned. If they didn't have enough guides to guide both down they should have gotten people dug in/safe in place and sent a few people for help or just lead the whole group down. They should maybe have all turned back when the first person was affected as that added trouble, lost a guide and they were missing the window for the weather. Letting the members judge going on is pretty reckless too the final decision should be experienced guides. And yah the guides sound under trained too.

[@cherylbales9464]

I totally believe that the guides were at fault. You do not take inexperienced people up a mountain, especially is the weather is reported as getting worse. Bad decisions all the way for profit. I climbed Mt. Whitney (14, 505 ft) twice, once in my 30, then again in my 40's. Always be prepared. It was tough the first time but I had enough gear to endure it.

[@ivanschekoldin7315]

Inexperienced people climb the Elbrus all the time. Well, they usually don't do that much climbing, since they use cable carts and snowcats to get to 5100 and only cover the rest of the path on foot. Alas, it lets too many unprepared people try and go the summit. I agree about the bad weather before their climb but the guides were pressed to go since several groups did it. If these guides decided not to go, their clients may have started asking questions and blaming their guides that they took their money and don't want to do their job. I've watched a much longer and more detailed movie on this group and the angle it gives makes pointing fingers at the guides more difficult. But I guess they are still to blame. For instance, when I climbed the Elbrus, we had a long classic route that we covered on foot. Some people were not doing all that great so out main guide was considering not letting some of the people climb if they show poor performance, feel bad or slow down the group

[@frankG335]

Gear is key!

[@mike79patton]

I'm really glad I happened to find this channel. So many intriguing stories that, as an American, I wouldn't otherwise have heard of.

[@natty4life387]

@Totally Accurate Botan Simulator the freedom bubble is nice though?!

[@Stormcrow7]

I really like your content mate, I really do. I love your narration and I very much appreciate your efforts on accompanying it with actual footage from the cases you cover. Keep it up, greetings from Greece

[@youtubehastakenovermylife4979]

You guys say “mate” in Greece? I really thought that that was a UK thing. Or are you speaking broken English and kinda using the word “comrade” like the Russians do?

[@Stormcrow7]

@@youtubehastakenovermylife4979 hey there, yes we use "mate" the way it is meant to be used, has nothing to do with "comrade" or russian.

[@HiFiAwardTour]

I can’t quite get over the computer generated voice they use. Either that or they can’t speak English properly.

[@davidroberts5577]

Having climbed all over the world, I find it mind boggling that companies like this one even exist. Incompetence ! I was in Peru on a climb and interrupted my teams climb in order to save a group from Peru filled with inexperienced people and guides. The entire group would have perished without help. It is the Company that is at fault, and perhaps the inexperienced guides as well. Another awesome video!

[@amybaby04]

That's a bit narcissistic 😂 I'm so glad you where there to save so many lives! 😂

[@davidroberts5577]

@@amybaby04 👍🕉️

[@colleenross8752]

What was the highest peak you've summited?

[@davidroberts5577]

Ama Dablam 6,812 metres.

[@colleenross8752]

@@davidroberts5577 will you ever join the 8000m club?

[@pattymullin8515]

How tragic and avoidable. It is very sad. On a different note,, your videos and narration are absolutely outstanding. If I could only choose a limited number of YT channels to watch, yours would be #1.

[@coraautumn1130]

Both the guides were grossly negligent and caused those deaths, heartbreaking so many died unnecessarily

[@crusader.survivor]

I love how you use actual photos of the story and that you state the facts! Thank you!

[@Tina06019]

As I have posted on other videos, I think I have turned around as often as I have summited. I do not consider those climbs to be failures. The mountain will be there another day, and I can continue enjoying my climbs.

[@MattttG3]

And that’s probably a zoomed in POV of how you actually look at life in general and problems that come your way throughout your life , I know it is for me and your words ring so true in my heart and mind. Truly, it is a matter of perspective. But it makes alllllll the difference Edit/PS merry Christmas and god bless

[@Tina06019]

@@MattttG3 and a Happy New Year, Aesir!

[@megami.x]

“She had already conquered Elbrus last year and wanted to try it out in harsher weather conditions“ tf?? WHY would anyone have literally choosing to be in more danger than necessary as a GOAL?

[@sauce-note6367]

Tends to be a constant with climbers!

[@megami.x]

@@sauce-note6367 I mean I can understand wanting to one up yourself with a bigger mountain or harder climb but harsher weather is just odd and unnecessarily dangerous

[@arpanc2556]

Adrenaline junkie

[@orchoose]

This comment is so stupid it cant be serious question. Its like asking why do ppl compete it would be safer if they just hold hands and went togheter. :D:D:D

[@megami.x]

@@orchoose no, not really. Your comment is suggesting if I said some thing like why do people take drugs? It would be the same thing as saying why do people eat peanut butter? It’s acceptable to question something.

[@alwive7093]

Really loving your channel content Archie. Keep it up. It would be great if you could include metric measurements for non US subscribers. Greetings from Mexico!

[@Prelooker]

That's the problem with commercial mountaineering: profits first, undisclosed and unnecessary danger and ill-prepared guides leading amateurs who can hardly hike a hill.

[@LuKaZz420]

I'm from the Alps so I have quite a bit of experience. It saddens me, whenever I hear about people perishing on the mountains. Many times it's simply, people overestimating their own experience, fitness level and underestimating the mountain, or forest if just hiking. Unexperienced people going with inadequate clothing and gear. When it comes to those sharks in the climbing industry, from Mount Everest to other locations, for many it's all about the cash. They ignore clear signs of health issues of group members, they take people who don't have the required experience, they might have guides who are not that experienced. This case was clearly the latter, company cuts corners on safety to save money, accepts people who should be nowhere near such a peak, ignore group members' health, have guides with nowhere enough experience, nor in sufficient numbers. From the title I thought it was going to be a 411, but it's just greed on one side and overconfidence on the side of the participants. Those who turned back, had a good degree of awareness about their real abilities, condition, situational awareness in bad weather. They lived.

[@YannisLitsas]

I summited Elbrus about a month before this incident. The weather was sketchy with a few hours window on the summit day that’s why you need to move fast, if you can’t make it you simply turn back. Splitting groups is normal but not under these circumstances. RIP

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

23:00 - In Russia, nothing goes down without bribes. I had to pay $300 "security fee" to "ensure" my luggage made it back to the states. My host failed her perfect-score driving test 9 times...until they finally said "stop taking the test and give us $100 already." You don't need experience - all you have to do is _pay._ Once you realize this sobering reality - that everyone, down to pilots, gets their "certificate" this way, the place becomes sad. Now it makes sense, when you see Russian car-crash compilation videos. You don't actually have to know how to drive. You don't actually have to repair your car if you get a ticket. Buildings don't have fire escapes, sprinklers, extinguishers, or even pull alarms. It's not that "safety culture" is lacking in Russia - it's that it doesn't exist. (There are many good, and qualified people out there...you just can't tell who they are by any official documents. You can't trust anything.) There's a lot we take for granted in the West. A lot.

[@dominusetdeus060644]

Unsurprising

[@loissmith7418]

Very interesting

[@rydz656]

You act like it doesn't happen in the west I bribed my instructor for my commercial pilot's license.

[@katekursive1370]

At least in Eastern Europe we can repair a cavity without getting into debt for three generations but go off

[@FootbaFan-pr8sl]

Wow omg you’ve realized that capitalism leads people without enough money so the society requires bribes wow good job. It’s almost like that’s exactly what lobbying is in the USA

[@hodad924]

You never know with altitude. I have a friend who summitted Everest 10 years but had to be airlifted off a peak this year at 14k. Fitness means nothing for AMS, HAPE, or HACE.

[@lisaperry5999]

Hope he is ok. Thats true about the illness no way to know..theres a few mountaineers that never get any of the Altitude illnesses, but they are very few.

[@scarletamazon3455]

Yep, altitude sickness isn't about how fit you are, it can strike anyone at those heights, even with lots of acclimation. Poor woman, if only they'd had that injectible thing (I forget what it's called, but it's used a lot on Everest too to help someone with altitude sickness get back down) she might well have made it out alive, since they turned back before summiting. Rest in peace to all those who passed away.

[@hodad924]

@ScarletAmazon Dexamethasone or Dex. Can also take diamox.

[@forgegloyd9196]

I think many people participating in dangerous sports forget one thing: Often, your exciting and adventurous activity will break your spirit before breaking your body. As soon as you start stressing out, and panic, its as good as over for you. Whether you are a mountaineer or a cave-diver: You need to, under all circumstances, be lord over your own mind.

[@originalchildclown]

Hall and Harris both ignored the bad weather warnings in Everest 96. Just ignored it. It seems this group did the same thing. The weather was worsening, but they still somehow thought they were stronger and could win ? You can't beat mother nature. They paid with their lives.

[@joannaw5913]

Ignoring turnaround times is also a common factor. I understand it’s disappointing not to reach the summit, but it’s never worth gambling with your life. You can always try again.

[@kevinmalone3210]

I read the book that talks about this incident, Into Thin Air by Jon Kraukuer. Hall was was a highly capable experienced mountaineer and had alot of sympathy for one of his clients to get him to the summit that year because previously he didn't make the summit. These clients paid Hall alot of money to get them to the top of Everest, so even though Hall told his client he needed to follow the turn around time, his client still wanted to continue and Hall felt obligated to accompany him. It's wasn't that he was reckless about weather conditions on Everest that year, but was conflicted about about not getting his client to the summit. As for Harris, he kept going up and down Everest that year to help people in distress, and exhausted himself to death. However you slice it, Everest is always going to be dangerous, because other factors can come into play that can kill you, such as high altitude mountain sickness, which actually killed Hall's client.

[@Tsumami__]

@@kevinmalone3210 Kraukauer writes a good book, but the reality is Hall made incompetent mistakes. The same thing happened to Mallory and Irvine in the 1920s, they just weren’t with a whole group of people. Summit fever is absolutely an issue, but guides HAVE to be able to make the call to say no, we’re turning around. Hall was an experienced climber but was guiding a group of seriously inexperienced climbers just like in this scenario. The only hero of that story was Boukreev.

[@user-jy9so6kt2f]

The weather on mountains can change very quickly. Reading weather is imperative for a seasoned mountaineer. Before climbing a mountain, memorize the topography and any features like caves or fumaroles or anything of significance (like a possible LZ, or area to regroup - planned in advance, and so on). Take an actual map with you. Catastrophes occur as a result of a series of factors allowing them to happen. Unseasoned climbers and guides not heeding basic survival rules equals the blind leading the blind. It is every climber's responsibility to be prepared for the worst. Dying is a hard price to pay for half-done preparation. Electronics must be guarded (meaning against the warmth of a body not in a coat pocket. In mountain blizzards the temperature PLUMMETS and tooling around in zero visibility in such temperatures ensures disaster even for the best. I have spent 72hrs waiting out a blizzard before (different mountain at the time) so be prepared. If you have to dig in at least, it's the snow temperature - not the wind chill factor and exposure temperature which will be much lower and unendurable. Egos and priorities not in synch with reality - kill. If a guide knows the weather is turning bad or some other factor poses a threat, they must take the accountability and realize the liabilities of failure. Regret can't bring back the dead or the severely injured. Mountains are not 'conquered'. They allow you to climb, to summit if possible and to take in the entire experience. Failing to summit is only an individual's perception of failure. Expecting too much sometimes. HAPE and HACE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema): Although these become even more significant and greater heights climbing or having camps at altitude these greatly impair a person's ability to think, to breathe and so forth. The only solution is to return to lower altitudes (off the mountain is best). Some people are much more susceptible than others. It is each climber's responsibility to be educated so as to discern others behavior. they will commonly not recognize their own. Dehydration is an important issue and aggravates altitude related and preexisting health issues that may not be evident previously. Frostbite and other cold injuries were not covered specifically in the video. The lack of medical expertise by team members is inexcusable. There are too many possibilities to cover here. I noticed nobody was roped in in most of the photos. Under inclement weather or at night with novice climbers especially they could get lost on a flat field. Some guides might argue that it slows climbers. Better to have them all back than face charges. Crevasses like human sacrifices. In an area where they are climbers should be WELL TRAINED. They must react in an instant. There is a book that has new editions come out from time to time. It is called "Mountaineering: The Freedom Of The Hills". It is 'THE' mountaineers/climber's bible. It is a must to read for climbing, hiking, outdoor activities at altitude of such risks. It has been around for a long time and is readily available. There was no in depth look at actual mountaineering equipment. I did not see any ice axes or other ice/snow equipment other than crampons. A ski pole will not self-arrest or be useful in any rescue scenarios. The use of ropes consistently did not appear to be in force throughout the climb. Novices should never be ascending of descending without a guide or seasoned knowledgeable climber. In the right ratios. Descending under duress requires assistance as outlined in this video. Dealing with the fact that people died as a result of inaction or poor actions lives long after the tragedy. This catastrophe occurred as a result of several factors stacking up and bringing hard lessons learned. Never underestimate the mountain or overestimate yourself. Everyone has limitations and must know them and own them. If a guide becomes incapacitated, then so do all the novices. The groups were too large. I hope that the need for fees did not outweigh the liabilities of taking on large groups. That would be a real travesty. Climbers get mad when they can't summit. I understand that. They spend a lot of money and time to climb. There have been times when I in many years of climbing internationally have not summited due to different factors (it goes with the territory). Some climbers may bitch and moan at the time of disappointment, but they are still alive to do so. There are no guarantees in life. The experience of climbing in itself should be the true joy of mountaineering. Summiting is but a small portion of the total trip that may require a delay or another attempt. There could have been a happy ending to this story, everyone could have possibly gone home and learned something about themselves. *Rescuer's note: No one ever gets into real trouble like this unless the conditions are horrible. Rescuers must respond to the scene at purposeful speeds in the worst conditions risking their own lives to do so. That too must be weighed by a guide's decision making. Many services can also charge for these services and the prices can be extremely high. There is nothing more disheartening than to beat feet to the area only to find it will be ultimately a recovery (dead). As these climbers found out in this video a cell phone is not a substitute for self-sufficiency and competency in the field. Always have alternates to be able to improvise, be well educated and able to cope with extremes.

[@helheals]

Thank you for uploading today! I just got out of the hospital and was really looking forward to a good video. Much appreciated, sending you love x

[@k53847]

This is almost a retelling of Krakauer's "into Thin Air" about the 1996 Everest disaster. Marginal weather, clients who were not highly skilled, group moving slowly, guides who didn't say 'we turn around now!', guides who abandoned clients.. Except at 3000 meters lower altitude with a lot more available emergency response, if they had been contacted.

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

A sad situation all around.

[@fluffnstuph85]

Excellent video, attention to detail, and thank you for telling us about those poor souls involved in the accident. All too often they’re just kind of glossed over, whether or not on purpose I’m not aware. Very tastefully done, I wasn’t aware of this accident, thank you again for the video.

[@Thewholefoodie]

New subscriber here. You are so easy to listen to, clear and informative.. this was my first listen and it was well put forth

[@MyMuschilover]

Guides can be “pushy” and sometimes they overestimate your abilities, or just try to wing it later when things go south. I was in a situation like this too and knew right off the bat that the conditions were sketchy but went on with it anyway.

[@peggysnail4899]

Glad it worked out for you and that you made it out alive. May I ask what happened?

[@Blobby192]

@@peggysnail4899 died at the summit

[@sanseverything900]

I'm confused. At 6:47 the video says Irina had previously climbed Mt Elbrus the year before but at 17:49 it says she had never been to heights comparable to Elbrus?

[@y7awsbe2000]

pretty sure it just means that (other than elbrus) she hadn't been to the height of a mountain similar to elbrus, perhaps being the reason why she wanted to go a second time

[@ExploreUnderground]

Seeing how many climbers die climbing mountains really puts how safe me exploring underground is into perspective. These stories are great, RIP to all fallen climbers/back packers and explorers. We remember you!

[@el_inferno3]

Really well made video! Your voice is so soothing!

[@JoshDisher]

I'm just old enough to remember how horrible it was to find anything interesting to watch back in the 80's and let me tell ya... It's a great time for original content. Great job with the doc!

[@jeanettecook1088]

The phrase "conquer the summit" sounds strange. Nothing is conquered... the people take a walk, reach the highest point, and come back... if they're skilful, careful and lucky. The mountain remains.

[@LeCharles07]

"The summit" is more metaphorical of the challenges of the climb, some are harder than others but even the easiest mountains can kill you. When you get to the top "You learned that what's important is the how you got there, not the what you've accomplished." (Yvon Chouinard). Lionel Terray named his autobiography "Conquistadors of the Useless" and I always found that a fitting title for mountaineers because the mountain, itself, is useless but something is still gained in the process.

[@karencowan9940]

To knowingly put ones life at such a "high risk" possibly leaving their children without a parent, these people are selfish arrogant they paid the ultimate price!! The victims here are the children that are left with a unanswered questions WHY!

[@jedwardswalker]

Yup...do it before u have kids or after they're grown and stable in their own lives, and always after your momma has died...(I want to go skydiving, but not until after my mom has passed...and I'm in no big hurry mom!)

[@LivingDeadGirl0702]

@@jedwardswalker that's adorable, that you'll wait til your mom isn't here to worry for your crazy butt while you go sky dive lol 😋✌️🥰

[@jorgeillueca5260]

They always think it won't happen to them.

[@bartonbella3131]

Have you ever sped in your car? Ever Smoked a cigarette or wore make up or did drugs? All of these can cause cancer Are you a healthy weight and body fat index? Have you ever flown? Have you ever left a restaurant or bar a little tipsy and walked by yourself to your car? Life is to be lived, we are not guaranteed tomorrow, but I guarantee you make numerous high risk decisions everyday. Don't come here on self righteous high horse and condemn others when daily you do stupid things! If you want a risk less life, lock yourself in a padded room. What is the meaning of life, if not to live it and live it full?

[@nadzya22]

I don't understand the mentality of those people who inexperience in mountaineering but decides to climb difficult peaks.

[@sunsetlights100]

Profit motive as with everest k2 etc

[@highwayexit]

Elbrus isn't really considered a technical climb, beginners could do it if they don't get altitude sickness (to my knowledge). If the weather's bad, well then you need to be a pro.

[@Dorsidwarf]

They get sold the experience by glowing advertisments offering discount expeditions. All adverts and websites for small businesses is 100% written by a freelancer who knows nothing about a company, thats just how online business happens.

[@MonadTransformer]

@@sunsetlights100 The people paying money to risk their own death certainly don't have a profit motive. The guides may have been negligent, but there's always an element of personal responsibility in extreme sports. Don't want to die, climb a 100ft hill instead of this mountain. It's free, too.

[@trixi1608]

Me neither. If you're inexperienced you can go on simple hikes at much lower altitudes or you steadily need to get the mountaineering training/experience that allows you to be at higher altitudes.

[@englishcanuck4930]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for the upload 😀

[@BertErniesson]

Wow. This is a very well made documentary. I'm glad the algorithm proposed this! Will directly leave a sub and binge the rest. I'm a broke fck but I'm currently planning my own channel, so I know of the work you put into this. So I'm helping out by at least watching every ad till the end. If you're broke like me, support good creators at least that way - does that minute really matter? Check your mobile, play a quick (mobile) game of whatever, cuddle the cat, go to the bathroom, whatever... and especially watch ads of companies you *don't* like. That way you can make *them* pay *and* make a good channel earn something :-)

[@MGJDMNJ]

Awesome job man. Love hearing these non American cases. My only experience with Russian was failing it twice in middle school lol

[@UntiltedName]

Those guides should never have given authority to the group whether or not to continue from the saddle. These tourists do not have the knowledge to properly assess the situation and make such a decision. The guides didn't either, sadly.

[@Chris-nf3sg]

People's egos are so wanting to reach the summit, without identifying the dangers of bad weather. I would like think I would just want to make it down the hill, regardless of what other people wanted to do. Sad story.

[@yajurka]

Amazing video as always! Keep it up!

[@MadJustin7]

Very well put together video. Well done.

[@Erritae]

Never knew a thing about Russians' love of alpine climbing. Thank you for not censoring tragedy in Russia. By showing the truth of things, it makes the world more aware of how Russians suffer at the hands of incompetence. I enjoy your videos and I hope to revisit Russia again soon. xoxo!

[@SNOWFLAKEI]

Haven't you ever heard of Anatoly Bukreev? C'mon!

[@melodi996]

There're many materials back from the USSR, songs, etc., as sports were very popular.

[@cruznavarro5806]

Just found your channel, it is helping me in making my work day more pleasant. This is my second video and will definitely watch the rest. You have a new subscriber here!

[@raumshen9298]

High quality, a big thank you

[@BB-pt9hv]

I love it when I stumble on smaller (i use that generously, 16.5K is still a lot) channel that makes good content

[@bamxire8845]

This was truly criminal of the company and accompanying guides. Can't believe the ineptitude of this hike and lack of preparations of the guides or lack of experience! To split the group in two fast & slow that decision whoever made it cost lives no doubt.

[@Nupagade246]

Your mellow voice and great content. ROCK TY

[@Reality_TV]

Who wouldn't think they needed skill to climb over the "corpse collector"? That sounds like a no-brainer to me, but OK!

[@deecawford]

I love your videos with the photos and videos to show whats going on or similar circumstances for what the discussion is. Thank you. I’m a history and a documentary junkie and yours are always interesting to watch and learn from

[@Nupagade246]

Sometimes I rewatch your videos It’s Always AWSOME. Love the journey especially to just completely Chill and wind down. Much love from Miami

[@jeffreyruttibaker1081]

Letting the group if inexperienced climbers make the decision to continue ascending or not seems so stupid. Guides should make the final decision. And if there is ANY potential incoming weather, they should immediately end the treck.

[@darkestkhan]

Yeah, especially with inexperienced climbers.

[@shacknastyray4429]

Going past the turnaround time and bad weather moving in. Deadly combination

[@ramon8051]

Great channel and great video as always

[@angelachristina]

In my personal opinion the guilty ones are the companies who take absolute beginners in for trips like that. I mean most of them weren't even used to ropes and crampons. If you never climbed before, start at lower altitudes and take your time building up strength and stamina. Don't start at a too high level. You have to earn every higher mountain.

[@hubertdenise3100]

True.I want to climb mount everest, but first I’ll climb a few other mountains like Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro etc to get better used to climbing and higher elevations.Highest I’ve been was 3,005 metres.

[@angelachristina]

@@hubertdenise3100 that sounds like a good plan. I hope you can live your dream. Stay safe!

[@mistynewton6048]

Love your video. I love this kind of content. Thank you.

[@aidanhart9871]

I've flown over elbrus maybe 50 times .....I like looking out the widnow of the A380 and admiring how beautiful it is. I hadn't heard of this incident .....

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

The thing is, in moutains in general and high altitue in particular, there is no really such thing as a "beginner" hike. Even the technically easiest of walk can become a danger.

[@miguelpoissonbruler]

All three are to blame. The weather, the inexperienced guides and the inexperienced hikers that hired them.

[@dharkling]

I agree. Bad weather makes a bad situation worse, and ppl ignoring weather reports in this day & age is inexcusable. I check my weather app before leaving for work, and its only 5min walk up the street, lol.

[@lemmeinnowplz]

Weather is always dangerously variable. Good guides are constantly assessing the conditions and will abandon the climb if in doubt. They will NEVER leave weaker members without leaving a sensible number of guides to manage them. Inexperienced hikers know they know little, so they hire guides and place their trust in them. These guides made one bad decision after another. 100% of the fault is here.

[@gnarkillMTB]

Modern day technology is a curse and a blessing. You could be documenting your final moments without even knowing it. Live it up, and don’t forget to press record!

[@elitadream]

Categorizing everyone by speed and experience was such an awful, selfish thing do. These poor people. They basically left them to die.

[@animusadvertere3371]

Sudden bad weather IS the biggest risk on ALL mountains. It's no big mystery. The only question is, why weren't they prepared. Sadly that too is not surprising.

[@madelaineseguin1490]

Horrific!!! Who is responsible? The company who took the group of clients up the mountain. 🤢

[@shivalishankersharma1562]

The season being pushed. Pitching the climb to complete amateurs as perfectly safe and fooling them into putting their lives into the hands of these guides (who clearly were not the best suited for the job ) . Then leaving a group all by themselves essentially leaving them to freeze to death. This clearly is death due to negligence and greed for money. The company should be shut down

[@cmcer1995]

Well, initially from their advertising this sounded like a real doable climb with snowcats even available and potential places to hunker down if needed. No extreme exposures either would make inexperienced hikers comfortable. But you can never rule out the weather which has killed many of experienced climbers. There is definitely negligence here as the weather should have been know prior to any summit attempt. When the weather started getting worse, they all should have turned back to be safe, the mountain will always be there to climb another day.

[@johncox2865]

Keep my ass away from tall, cold mountains.

[@jedwardswalker]

Looks like fun, no? 😶

[@ivermectin5072]

They never should have set off that late, with too few guides. False promises, and human hubris: "Oh, I can climb this mountain with little to no experience." Nature doesn't give a sheet, she does whatever she wants to do.

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

Your content is truly impressive. Keep up the great work. Thank you.

[@cruisepaige]

Content :10. Video quality 10 sound quality fine. Pronunciation. Getting better. Keep practicing and learning!

[@dominusetdeus060644]

Christ what a carnival of crappy decisions and lack of experience and practical wisdom 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ rip to those poor souls and their families.

[@ExploreUnderground]

Do ppl in Russia use shoelaces as climbing ropes? Because anyone who has ever done any kind of climbing can tell you.. minimum breaking strength for a legit rope is well over 2000lbs, and up to over 5000lbs. You can't fall hard enough to create that force.

[@NathanHassall]

I love those dialog parts where it sounds like you are talkin into a cardboard box

[@dharmaofdog7676]

This was a Story about inexperienced "Guides" making one bad decision after another. The Company that both made promises in advertising & were responsible for hiring "Guides" are directly responsible. Outlines of Risk should have been conveyed clearly. There is some degree of responsibility of the Hikers themselves as they should and COULD have done a little research about the dangers of High Altitude and the importance of appropriate and sufficient acclimatization - just to start. Information is always at everyone's fingertips.

[@hannahscott9672]

Stellar content as always!

[@misarthim6538]

You can't make everything absolutely risk free. People die doing absolutely mundane stuff. On average, one person a day in US dies in a pool. But you don't see a documentary about that. It seems like the guides made some mistakes. Indeed. It's honestly shocking that they didn't know how to use or had dexamethasone on a hike like this. But thinking that only if they had a paper from corrupt Russian government this would never happen is ridiculous. People can't have unrealistic expectations.

[@almorris171]

#1 - Too many people, #2 - Too much at stake to admit defeat and turn back and these are the professionals. Considering the challenges and the dangers on the highest mountains tho, I think some number of losses are inevitable. There are too many variables with such a slim margin of error.

[@enigmadrath1780]

"Conquering" a mountain would be putting up storm-proof wind panels and installing an escalator to the summit and dotting the face with little curiosity shops. No one conquors a mountain. You scramble your way to the top and scramble back down, all the while praying the mountain god hasn't noticed your presence and that you can get away unscathed.

[@jerrylum8760]

All the factors u mentioned .they faced the prefect storm of problems, so tragic. The other group made it back ,no problem ,but they started early and listened to the weather report.

[@Albanus35]

Yes, mistakes were made, lot of them... But I'm actually impressed on how many "Captain Hindsight" suddenly know all the answers and solutions after it happened... Just an edit: Great video bro.

[@mommy2libras]

The company should absolutely be held responsible. Everyone knows that mountain climbing carries risk and the best way to mitigate risk is with education and experience. However this company advertises climbs SPECIFICALLY for inexperienced climbers, saying no real experience is needed and that their guides will take you up and back down. It's one thing if all safety guidelines are followed and someone still slips and breaks something or if something completely unforeseen happens and causes a death. But other groups- with experienced guides- obviously saw what the weather was doing and knew if they didn't go at a certain time that they wouldn't be able to. When people pay specifically to be guided because they are inexperienced, they are paying that person to make sure they don't get hurt or die. These guides failed every single person in that group and they and their company should be held accountable.

[@Alaska2blessed719]

New subscriber here binge-watching all the stories love your voice, love the content....The problem here is that people are so quick to Just run a business if you going to run a business you trained these guides in protocol in case of emergencies situations at all course of a human life they want to do things the fast way when these are modern times when we have more sufficient gear ,equipment, and Technology so that these people who love to do these hikes and Mountain climbs in extreme weather they will always be safe and when things happen like accidents that cannot be helped at least you know that you did the proper training and you ran your business and everything was within protocol and the guidelines so that's the moral of this story!!!!

[@Defosaur]

YEEESSS i subscribed recently and had ran out of content that same day!

[@m1k119]

,,,,what was suppose to be a beginner hike ? //// Elbrus is not a beginner hike !...... WTF are you talking about , !?

[@i.p.956]

I have always been afraid of the mountains, there is just something there that scares me. Not the heights but the mountain itself, like I can feel if I go climbing or hiking, I'd perish, I have always preferred the beach

[@Hurricaneintheroom]

I think it is the same situation with Elbrus as it is with Everest. Places have made climbing expeditions with people who do not have the training or experience to be there. It takes a long time to learn mountaineering the way it should be done and no certificate from a government agency is going to take the place of that plus medical training. People need a reality check because they can and do lose their lives. The cheaper rate tours should be avoided. If you truly have the proper training then go with the groups that require you to pay $50,000 and not $500. I think there will be many other tragedies before something is done about it.

[@scottl.1568]

I was today years old when I discovered Russians actually know Chip 'n' Dale...

[@erikaenander5374]

I’m shocked, shocked I tell you to find out that there is incompetence, bribery, and lack of enforced standards present in this situation. 🤔. 2-4 day trips on a 5000 plus mountain is negligence, especially when guiding amateurs. Rip those who died. You didn’t deserve such horrible guides.

[@lord6617]

The guides knew the weather was turning and that the group was late in their window but let a group of inexperienced climbers decide whether they would make the final ascent.

[@jakecob864]

Great video!

[@danielx555]

I love your videos.

[@anamekian1742]

I love your LITERAL annunciation & pronunciation, of the English Language. Like “South-ern” instead of “Suthern” (I’m spelling pronunciations here). There were a couple others I noticed. So, just curious…what country are you originally from & what’s your first language? Genuinely simply curious, is all. No malice intended.

[@ilovebooks49]

im disgusted by the amount of people in the comments justifying the decision to leave those women behind (assuming they were put into the slow group)

[@chatita9527]

I am too boring and fearful a person to be able to understand why you would risk your life for "fun" and "sense of adventure". However, I think that these people have all a very selfish streak in them, because they do not care about their "loved ones" (children, partners, parents, ...) AND they feel entitled to the help of rescuers to risk their lives to save these people's lives who are so bored with their own life that they want to risk it. Sorry, but this is ENTITLED and SELFISH. Thank you for this excellent video! 👍

[@aishajung3430]

As someone who's lost a relative to a mountain climbing accident, I have to agree to some point with you. The pain and loss my cousin's family has had to deal with is massive, and it's for something completely avoidable and obviously high-risk - It's different than a freak accident that's sudden and there's no way to avoid it, or an illness where you know the loss is coming. During his rescue, one of the rescue team actually perished in the process due to persisting bad weather and heavy fog, and it just felt very disturbing to me that someone has to die because someone else wanted to challenge themselves and make themselves feel accomplished and have fun.

[@chatita9527]

@@aishajung3430 Sorry to hear about your loss ... and thank you for your honesty! Especially the part about the rescuer ... I find this terrible! One may need help because of a fire to the house, a car accident, a stroke while swimming, ... but in case of these risk-SEEKING people I am very very angry.

[@martin000ec]

Well done, I appreciate your work!

[@grumpyoldwizard]

I had altitude sickness once, at about 10,000 ft. It came on quickly. I felt like a wave of nausea, dizziness, and a headache, washed over me in seconds. I never want to experience it again.

[@_systemd]

You feet people w those numbers , always sounds impressive on the first sight. I too once had altitude sickness, at 20 000cms . Almost got me but the bar had decent soup and pizza that brought me back from dead.