Elbrus Geography

Mt. Elbrus is the highest point of Europe. The Caucasus Main  Range is considered to be a border between Europe to the North and Asia to the South in most (but not all)  guidebooks and encyclopedias. Two main Mt. Elbrus summits are about 11 km (6.8 miles) to the North from the Main Range, inside European territory. The Main Range is a state border between Russia and Georgia. Both countries are parts of former USSR country but now are absolutely independent states.

There is no need of Georgian visa to climb Elbrus because ALL Elbrus area and the mountain itself is within Russian territory. It is not simple to reach Georgia from Elbrus area because one must go through one of three official border guard posts. Two of them (in Abkhazia and South Ossetia) are in unstable areas where Georgian government has no control and real working one may be opened may be closed on unknown period without notification.

Western summit 5642.7 m (18513 ft) and Eastern summit  5621 m (18442 ft) with the Saddle elevation 5416 m (17769 ft)

Glaciations area (more then 50 glaciers) is about 144 square km (56 square miles). Snow-line (in August) - 3400 m (11483 ft)