Day 10: New Mountain, New Rules

We rolled in at 4:30 AM.

One of those arrivals where you’re not sure if it’s still night or already the next day.

Slept a few hours. Up at 9:30 for breakfast. Then straight to the mountain for our first acclimatization rotation on Mount Elbrus.

We went up to about 4,200 meters.

And yes… I know that’s not helpful in feet, but with no Wi-Fi and limited access to anything, even translating units becomes a challenge.

That alone should tell you something about where we are.

Learning a New Language… Without Words

This is a completely new environment.

New country. New systems. New people.

And one of the biggest adjustments?

Redefining meaning.

When the guide says “hot”… it’s not hot.
When he says “easy”… we have very different definitions.
When he says “wind”… we’re still figuring out what that means here.

And none of it is wrong.

It’s just different.

Leadership Lesson: Alignment Matters More Than Language

We assume if we’re speaking the same words, we’re aligned.

We’re not.

“Easy.”
“Ready.”
“Good conditions.”

All relative.

And if you don’t take the time to calibrate expectations, things get confusing fast.

The Buffet (Yes… This Was the Full Lineup)

Breakfast this morning was… memorable.

And to be clear, this was the full buffet. I didn’t leave anything out:

• Pretzels

• Muesli (I think)

• A milk cake

• Chicken wings

• Coleslaw

We did have hard boiled eggs… briefly.

But once they were gone, they were gone.

No restocking. No second round.

That’s the system.

Leadership Lesson: Adapt Fast or Stay Hungry

You can resist what’s in front of you…

Or you can adjust.

Thankfully, I brought some just-add-water meals, so I’ve got a little consistency in the middle of all this.

But it’s a reminder:

You don’t always get ideal conditions.

You get what’s available.

The Hidden Challenge

No credit cards.

Cash only.

Which means every decision matters.

You’re constantly thinking:

Do I have enough?
What do I actually need?
What happens if I run out?

There’s no easy way to replenish.

Leadership Lesson: Constraints Sharpen You

When resources are limited, you become more intentional.

More aware.

More disciplined.

It forces a level of decision-making that’s easy to avoid when everything is convenient.

On the Mountain

Conditions were good early.

But by the end of the day, the snow started coming in again.

Softening. Getting heavier.

Another reminder that the mountain is always changing.

You don’t get the same version twice.

The Small Adjustments

The showers?

Lukewarm.

For someone who loves a hot shower… that’s been a real adjustment.

The stores? Different.
The food? Different.
The pace of everything? Different.

And yet… you adapt.

Leadership Lesson: Comfort Is Optional

When comfort goes away, capability shows up.

You stop waiting for things to feel right.

You just move forward anyway.

The Bigger Reflection

People here are kind. Welcoming. Helpful.

And still…

There’s no place like home.

Final Thought

This part of the journey is stretching more than just physical limits.

It’s testing patience. Flexibility. Resourcefulness.

And underneath all of it is this truth:

We are far more resilient than we think.

I’ll share more as I can.

For now… it’s just us and the mountain.