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The British Foreign Office has issued warnings against travel to
Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and North Ossetia,
Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area)
and to eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai, particularly
where it borders Chechnya and North Ossetia, due to the security
situation. This is the offiical position taken by the Government
because, as well as the ongoing conflict in Chechnya,
terrorist/criminal bombings have occurred throughout this region -
3 February 2004 in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, which killed 2 people
and injured 10.
21 June 2004 when Chechen separatist rebels staged a major military
incursion into the city of Nazran in Ingushetia
There have been 2 occasions of kidnappings, in 2002 and 1998.
There are however many tourists travelling to the region and I
personally have never had a problem at all with travel into the
region or during my climbs on the mountain. As in so many of these
situations, it is the tiny number of separatist rebels whose actions
can often distort the image of an entire nation. The people in the Terskol Valley are nothing but friendly and helpful, and of course
keen to promote tourism in the area, since it is their main source
of income. Norwegians, Irish, British, Americans, Germans, Orientals
and many other nationalities regularly travel into the region to
climb, ski and explore.
We also are keen to point out that having a Russian guide travelling
all the way from Moscow with all of our groups ensures a strong
level of security. It reduces possibilities of problems, corruption
and minor issues. We have a lot of experience dealing with
officialdom and bureaucracy and none of our groups have ever
experienced any problems along those lines.
We also have spent a long time cultivating and building up
relationships with the right people in the Baksan Valley, the
directors of all the organisations and the guides, rescue services
and owners of cafes and hotels. This all adds up to an increased
level of safety and service for our clients who always report their
understanding that our trips offer more than just a basic expedition
to climb Elbrus. This is our speciality and we are proud of our
reputation with so many people who work on the mountain.
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