Tony Nation
Tony Nation, Trekking Guide & Trainer
Tony's love for adventure has taken him to many regions of our planet, he enjoys leading groups in Africa, Russia, Nepal and South America.
Like many of our adventure guides and trainers his passion is that of communication and instilling the culture of the places we visit to those that join in our our adventures and courses.
He is also one of our leading Irish guides with special knowledge in the Cork and Kerry hills and mountains.
He is a father of four Sean, Damien, Sara and Timothy and from a very early age to instill adventure to his children became involved with his wife Mary as a leading light in Scouting Ireland, giving of his time voluntary for over 20 years to promote the adventurous spirit in children.
He is a County Commissioner for Cork South and heavily involved in training new Leaders and delivering Mountain Skills training to all Leaders and Scouters.
Tony is a good story teller, has a passion for the outdoors, enjoys good food and after a hard day on the hills a few pints in good atmosphere.
Tony is also a manager/trainer in our Health, Safety and team-building Corporate division
Let us introduce you to Tony in a short video
Elbrus
Expedition Leader: Pat Falvey
Grade:Trekking – Strenuous,
Prices: €2250 Land Only
Flight: €880 Ireland-Moscow-Mineral Ni Vody Central Caucasus & return.
Mount Elbrus
Elbrus belongs to a handful of mountains with a very special and irresistible kind of beauty which lies in their shape and setting. It stands 11km north from the main range and exceeds its neighbours in height by 1200-2000m. The views from both summits are breathtaking: to the north is a rolling carpet of pastures and all other sides there is a sea of snowy peaks. The Elbrus Region/ Prielbrusie- Located in the Central Caucasus, the highest part of the entire mountain range is an area where many valleys converge into the Baksan Valley.It's glaciers give rise to the Baksan, Kuban and Malkan Rivers. In this region we will see many famous peaks such as Mt.Shkhelda (4,320m), Mt. Chatin (4,369m), Mt. Ushba (4,710) and Mt. Elbrus itself (5,642m). Mount Elbrus dominates the Central Caucasus and has two seperate volcano vents: the western peak, Zapadnaya 5,642m, is the higher peak and the eastern peak, Vostochnaya, at 5,621m. The eastern peak has a crater 250m in diameter. The mountain is covered in a huge sheet of ice which covers some 145sq KM and is up to 400m thick. Often horrific weather surrounds the mountain and it is notorius for storms. From the col that divides the two peaks the snow slopes descend to the many tongues of ice and crevasses lying in the valleys. The ancients knew the mountain as Strobilus , Latin for ' pine cone', a direct loan from the ancient Greek Strobilos, meaning ' a twisted object' - a long established botanical term that describes the shape of the volcano's summit. A myth that is held here claims Zues had chained Prometheus, the Titan who had stolen fire from the Gods and given it to ancient man- likely a reference to historic volcanic activity. The average time to summit is approx 9hrs and approx 4 hrs for our descent. Crampons and ski poles are necessary for this climb and ice axes are useful for extra safety. Like all big mountains, the peaks of the Caucasus generate and attract thier own weather, making conditions unpredictable and ferocious at times. To be prepared for a wide range of tempatures it is important to bring everything on the recommended equipment list. Inclusions Fuly escorted with experienced guides and on site training All transfers Hotel Accommodation Park Fee's Accommodation while trekking Communal Equipment Exclusions * Visa fees Day 5: Hike to Adysul Valley City Tour Extension 4 passport photos-signed on reverse side. Tourist Voucher-available from us on request. Travel Insurance Certificate. Applications are made by post to your nearest Russian Embassy For more info please contact our office. # We have all you need at our new store located in the Gap of Dunloe, View our products online @ http://shop.patfalvey.com/ Clothing Light weight long underwear - Tops & Bottoms Expedition weight long underwear - Tops & Bottoms Briefs - For everyday wear while trekking Short Sleeved T-Shirts/Shirts - 2 x trekking Long Sleeved T-Shirts/Shirt - 2 x trekking Sofshell/Fleece x 2 Trekking Pants x 2/3 - one insulated pants is recommended Parka Jacket - Down or synthetic with hood- Expedition Type and needs to fit over all insulation layers (it can get as cold as -25 degrees celsius) Jacket - Waterproof & breatheable- storm proof mountaineering jacket Over Trousers - Waterproof & breatheable- storm proof mountaineering pants Footwear Shoes for travel and easy walking Sandals Lightweight Hiking Boots Climbing Boots - Plastic double boot-available for hire Gaitors - short simple gaitors are best Booties - optional luxury, down/synthetic Lightweight socks - 2/3 pairs Sock Liners Warm trekking socks - 2/3 pairs Foot Powder Head & Hand Wear Liner Gloves Windstopper fleece gloves Waterproof Mittens Bandana/Buff Sun Hat Warm Hat Balaclava/Face mask Accessories Sunglasses x 2 - Specific to High Altitude Mountaineering, UV & IR protection Ski Goggles Headtorch Spare batteries Climbing Equipment Ice Axe - Available for hire Crampons - Available for hire Ski Poles - 1 pair collapsible spring bound ski poles Harness - lightweight web waist with all leg loops opening Carabiners- 2 x screw gates, 2 x snapgates Backpack - at least 75 litre with ice axe haul loops and crampon attachment point Daypack - 25 - 35 litre Waterproof pack cover Sleeping Equipment Sleeping Bag - Expedition quality to at least -25, down preferred and must pack small Sleeping Mat - Thermorest preferred for extra warmth Pocket-Knife - leatherman or similar Water Bottles - 1/ 2 Pee Bottle/Funnel for women Travel Items Large Duffel Bag Travel clothes for days in we are in transit Travel towel Swim shorts/suit Padlocks for bags while in transport Toiletrie bag Camera Book/Journal Miscellaneous Items Travel Insurance Certificate Passport, Visa and document copies Money in US Dollars / Euros Sun Block - important Towel and wash kit Spare batteries for all electronic equipment Medical & Personal Lip Screen Personal First Aid Kit Personal Medication - seek advice from your doctor Babywipes/handwipes Hand Gel Ear Plugs Water Purification TabletsOverview
Undoubtedly, the best known and most alluring mountain in Russia, and the largest in Europe, Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano, one of the 'Seven Summits'. The fact that it is the highest in Europe suffices for many to go and climb it.Route
By the normal route it is a long climb over a medium incline that requires good acclimatisation but has no real technical difficulty. By this stage we will have spent many days in the surrounding hills and valleys acclimatising and preparing for our climb. The simplicity of this climb is not to be under estimated, it is a dangerous route. Apart from the altitude , the highly variable weather and freqeunt violent storms combined with low tempatures, as low as -25 degrees, means that this ascent is a real high altitude adventure!Grade
Prices
Itinerary
Preparation
Gear
Update from Elbrus - Caucasus Russia
K2 Report, From Moscow, Natasha Ter Gazaryan.
The author is one of the survivors Sergei Bogomolov. I've chosen to omit some of his meaningless sentences. Natasha Ter Gazaryan our Moscow representative.
Extracts translated from interview with surviving Russian climber on Russian web site.
“We had put ourselves a deadline the 13th of August. We had run out of
food by this time. The 13th of August morning was the first fine morning for the last two weeks and we thought that a benign beginning for the summit day, the K2's special gift for our perseverance.
The icefall or the avalanche happened as soon as we where out of the Bottleneck, no more than two hours away from the summit. That seemed to be a huge bulk of ice and frozen snow 120 by 80 m in size. It was falling down at breathtaking speed and swept four climbers that were in the middle of our group to their death. We heard
no noise so characteristic of an avalanche. That happened in silence. Nobody
heard or seen where that bulk of ice had come from. We tried to find out what happened to our friends, but all in vain.
All of us were hit to some extend with the falling ice. Two Russian
climbers in front and me ,the polish guy and Banjo who were keeping the
rear were not hit much” Sergei Bogomolov Russian Climber K2
We’d like to thank Natasha for her translation and posting it to us.
Update from Russians on final movements of teams on K2 before avalanche.
August 12th reported all team at camp 4 had decided to call it a day and descend to base camp. There was no visibility and the snow conditions where deep. As the day progressed the weather cleared and the summit seemed close so everyone changed their minds to go-for-it. So the summit attempt began on August 13th.
“The first party was Kulbachenko - Gaponov. The second who ascended, were Foigt, Kuznetsov, Uteshev and Kuvakin. The last party was Bogomolov - Bannon - Teler.
The avalanche caught the first and the second parties. Kulbachenko and Gaponov had dug out from the snow and tried to find others. The third party joined them. There're steep slopes below that place, and avalanche fell there. Serguey Bogomolov didn't see how the avalanche struck. Climbers couldn't find their partners. In addition, there was a danger of next avalanche, so they decided to descend. Tomorrow the expedition will leave the BC.” Reported Serguey Bogomolov from base camp.
For the best in Irish mountaineering news and comments www.patfalvey.com
Missing Russian Climbers named:
The names are, expedition leader Yuri Uteshev, the coach Alexander Foigt, Piotr Kuznetsov and Arcady Kuvakin. May they rest in peace and our thoughts and sympathy go to their families and friends. These have been the names confirmed by Serguev Bogomolov on a call from base camp K2.
Update on Irish K2 climbers:
Ger McDonnell has returned to Ireland on Sunday 13th August and is making a great recovery from his injuries that he received while on K2. He will be in Ireland for the next few weeks finalizing his plans for the The Irish beyond endurance expedition starting in November www.beyondendurance.ie He is also spending time with his family in Limerick before leaving to return to Alaska.
Mick Murphy:
We just have had a text from Mick to say he has returned to Ireland today 15th August. We believe that Mick is going on a year out, travelling around the world.
Banjo Bannon:
Simon Scott has informed us that Banjo will rest at base camp for a few days before making the return journey to Ireland and is expected back on the 27th August.
4 Russians dead- Banjo now safe at base camp.
We are delighted to confirm that Banjo is now safe at base camp with the Polish climber Jacek and the remaining three Russian climbers. It has also been confirmed by the Leader of the Russian team that 4 of his team, sadly died in the Avalanche of Sunday 13th August 2006.
To the family and friends of the Russian Climbers, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies.
Thursday- chetverg 10.08.06 Russia
our last day of hiking! We got the bus up to the Adylsu valley. We walked into the valley along by another river. It was good fun because we had to scramble over rocks for a while and we crossed the river twice on rickity bridges made out of trees. We came to the Green Hotel, which is actually only a green flat space where people can camp! We ate our lunch here then walked along a ridge to the Jankuat glacier, pat said it has melted a lot even since last year. Coming back along the ridge Ruth stumbled somehow and flipped down the side about a meter, she was ok though just a few cuts and twists. we had to walk all the way back to the hotel, so we were very tired by the time we got there. Just time for a clean up then off to Cheget for dinner.
Well tomorrow we head back for Moscow and spend a few days visiting markets and some of Pat’s friends before going home to Ireland. I’m really looking forward to going home and to sleep in my own bed. I Will let you know how I get on when I get back to Ireland. So for now Slán from the Elbrus region in Russia. We all had a great time, climbed a big mountain and I made lots of new friends.
Wednesday - sreda 09.08.06 Russia
We had bleeni which means pancakes for breakfast. At last a rest day! Well some of the group went for a stroll but we just chilled out all day. It was much needed! We did go for a little walk through the wood beside the hotel, it would be a great place for hide and seek! Had a nice swim and Jacuzzi. There has to be one day of relaxation when you're on holiday's!
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