That Mont blanc is less heigh than Elbrus is quiet obvious but what are the main differences in diffuculty between these two mountains?

Mont blanc: Gouter
Elbrus: Normal route

Mt. Blanc is more fun than Elbrus and less "red" tape. Besides, if Blanc doesn't go you could always go over and try the Matterhorn (providing its in shape).

I would say the bigest objective danger on the 'Normal Route' up either peak are the other climbers around you.

Mt Blanc will have the edge when it comes to that side of the sotry just because of the large crowds you find there.

wingman wrote:Mt. Blanc is more fun than Elbrus and less "red" tape. Besides, if Blanc doesn't go you could always go over and try the Matterhorn (providing its in shape).

Matterhorn is a bit too hard for me i think ... Specially when you don't wanne spend a lot of money ...

On Gouter route some sections are prone to rockfall. No such danger on Elbrus normal route. Technically speaking, the difficulty of both routes is about the same, maybe MB being a little bit harder. I cannot really say about the Gouter route as I did the Italian route on MB and that's harder than Elbrus' normal route (well, I don't speak about acclimatization, weather etc here, only about the technical difficulty!).

For me Elbrus was more fun and the red tape there didn't bother at all - a couple of times one guy asked to show the national park permit near the Barrels hut, and that's all.

Elbrus is a awesome mountain... There are also ski lifts, snow cats, and gondola's on the route:) Does it get any better???

The view is comparable to that of the White Mountains (in the Sierra) looking back over at the Sierra. You have a awesome view of the rest of the Caucasus range - it is absolutely beautiful!

You do have to be prepared for the cold on Elbrus and possible ice on the final summit ridge traverse (ice screws for a running belay would be essential on some years).

Don't know much about Mont Blanc... They both have weather and Mont Blanc seems to have more of an active glacier. The Elbrus glacier is pretty benign...

Hope this helps Have fun!