Europe’s Highest Mountains (Zenith Project 2011-2013)
- Mt Elbrus (5,642m / 18,510ft) | Caucasus Mountains, Russia (Summit 28.9.2011)
- Dykh-Tau (5,205m / 17,077ft) | Caucasus Mountains, Russia (Summit 23.8.2013)
- Koshtan-Tau (5,144m / 16,877ft) | Caucasus Mountains, Russia (Summit 25.8.2012)
- Dzhangi-Tau (5,051m / 16,572 ft) | Caucasus Mountains, Russia (Summit 7.9.2012)
The Alps 2014-2016
- Matterhorn (4,478m / 14,692 ft) | The Alps, Switzerland (Summit 3.9.2016)
- Mont Blanc (4,808m / 15,776ft) | The Alps, France (Summit 15.9.2014)
It took three visits to Russia’s Caucasus Mountains across three climbing seasons 2011, 2012 & 2013 to reach the summits of Europe’s three highest peaks, Elbrus Dykh-Tau and Koshtan-Tau. Spanning from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea at the frontier between Asia and Europe, the Caucasus soar 2,734ft higher than the Alps and offered some extraordinary remote mixed ice/rock climbing. Each expedition in Russia demanded great patience for the right conditions, but always rewarded with stunning climbing and barely a soul in sight.
Back in the Alps, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc are two of Europe’s most classic and iconic climbs. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and the highest in Europe after the Caucasus. The Matterhorn was one of the last classic Alpine mountains to be ascended, for the fear it inspired in early mountaineers. Reaching the summit of the Matterhorn in perfect conditions was made all the more special flying the drone carried to the top.