Up early to get sorted. By about 8:30 our gear has arrived so we make our way over to pay. Despite being told it was 150 Roubles, it turns out to be 200/kg.

Repacking of the big kit bag followed, then breakfast and a walk down the hill to the tented village where we are met by our driver to take us back to Piatigorsk. He is typically Russian in driving style, thinking nothing of using his mobile phone whilst driving. At one point Stuart commented on it and he stopped for a while but soon started again. Perhaps this will be mentioned in my summary report to JG.

Finally after several hours we arrive at the hotel and begin the pain of checking in. All done and into the room for a well earned shower. I'd forgotten to bring a spare pair of shorts so washed the pair I'd been wearing in the shower and put them out on the balcony to dry. It's very sunny so it shouldn't take long. Actually an hour later they were totally dry.

We're meeting at 6:30 for dinner so I decided that I'd spend the time relaxing and repacking (again). I just need to find non-smelly stuff to go into the suitcase which is a challenge but I succeeded by putting my axe and walking poles in.

All repacked and hopefully under the weight limit. To prevent you, dear reader from worrying about this, it was 22kg and my limit is 23kg which is pretty professional packing if I do say so myself. Satisfied with my work, I took a snooze for an hour then had a second shower and met the others downstairs.

We'd been booked at Tesla, on recommendation by Mike and Rebecca who also took care of the actual booking, thereby promoting themselves to Entertainment Managers which will be a short-lived but important appointment.

The restaurant was excellent, the beer suitably cold and the steak was amazing, although the menu was a bit misleading; the price shown was per 100g and not for the actual meal so when the bill came it was a bit of a shock but it was our last meal together and it was really nice food so not to worry.

A minor hassle at the end when some wanted to pay by card and others with cash - we had one bill and it seemed we could only pay by either one card or cash and no-one (quite rightly) wanted to put the entire bill on their card so card payers had to go and get cash from an ATM.

We also presented Leo and Alex with their tips to thank them for their hard work and help. I think they felt a little guilty about not getting us to the summit but as they said, our safety came first, and who could argue with that?

From there a few of us got taken to a small bar for some beers which turned out to be inspired. We soon made friends with the locals and enjoyed their company for a couple of hours doing our best to communicate with them. It was a great experience talking and drinking with young Russians who genuinely welcomed us into their country. At times like that, as the great Chris Bonnington once said; not summiting didn't matter, it was the experience that mattered, meeting and getting to know the people and seeing something of their culture, that's what really mattered. You know what, he was exactly right. I've met some great people, I couldn't have wished for a better group to travel with, we all got on really well, made a great team, helping each other when needed and sharing a common goal. Our leader, Stuart, was very professional, bringing a lifetimes experience, offering help, making suggestions and being there when needed. The in-country support went beyond our expectations to give us the best trip we could have. The local Russians were nothing like their stereotypes, being helpful, cheerful and friendly and a pleasure to have in our brief time in their country. I may never see most of them ever again which is my loss but the memories of the trip will remain forever.

Farewell Russia for now.