Kukurtlu, Summit in Mount Elbrus region, Russia

Kukurtlu is a 4,978 m summit on the western spur of the Elbrus massif in Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia. Its western side drops in a nearly vertical 600 m wall whose top at 4,639 m is often given as the mountain's height in Russian publications. A rarely climbed route to Elbrus follows the southern ridge from Asau at the end of the Baksan valley.

The name Kjukjurtlju comes from the Karachay word for "sulphur mountain", referring to the mountain's composition. Russian publications often give the height as 4639 m, the top of the 600 m west wall, rather than the 4978 m summit. The mountain serves as the dominance reference point for Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

The Karachay name Kükürtlü means "the sulphurous one", referring to the mountain's rock. Russian publications often give 4639 m as the height, the top of the west wall, rather than the 4624 m summit. The rarely climbed route to Elbrus over the south ridge starts at Asau at the end of the Baksan valley and has no campsites, so climbers carry all food and equipment.

Visitors should prepare for high altitude, cold temperatures, and rapidly changing weather conditions that can shift throughout the day. Professional equipment and experience with technical mountaineering are necessary to navigate safely on this summit.

Kukurtlu is the dominance reference point for Mont Blanc: from this 4978 m summit, no higher peak lies in any direction until the Alps. Russian publications often give 4639 m instead, the top of the near-vertical 600 m west wall rather than the summit dome. The rarely climbed route to Elbrus over its southern ridge starts at Asau at the end of the Baksan valley and has no camps, so climbers carry all food and equipment.