Azar takes on Russia challenge

TOOWOOMBA mountaineer and the youngest Australian to climb Mt Everest Alyssa Azar is attempting her next challenge in Russia.

And she has only former world champion boxer Kostya Tszyu as support.

Ms Azar flew out of Brisbane Airport early yesterday morning in her bid to climb Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia and Europe.

She is due to arrive in Mineralnye Vody, Russia today and will start the 10-day trek immediately.

She could reach the summit by July 2.

The Australian Government’s travel advice for the North Caucasus is “do not travel” and it will not offer consular assistance to Australians who travel there.

By number of deaths, Elbrus is one of the world’s most lethal mountains.

The average annual death toll on Elbrus is 15 to 30 climbers.

Ms Azar is making the trip alone and will be assisted by Russians on the ground.

Mr Tszyu, who lives in Russia, has offered to help Ms Azar if she needs it.

Since her triumphant return from the summit of Everest last year, Ms Azar has been busy with public speaking events, her new online coaching program Mountain Mindset and mentoring at the Gold Coast Suns club.

Father Glenn Azar said she was ready to return to the place she loved; the peaks of the world’s highest mountains.

“She loves climbing mountains and can’t wait to get back,” he said.

“She likes the isolation, the cold and the challenge.”

It’s the latest challenge for her as she tries to conquer the “seven summits”, the highest peaks on each of the world’s continents.