Status: 05.08.2022 15:03
The danger of crevasses and falling rocks on the main route to Mont Blanc is currently extremely high. Despite explicit warnings, amateur climbers still choose this route. That’s why the authorities are closing huts in the mountains.
The mayor of the municipality of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex, has ordered the closure of the mountain huts where climbers stay on their way to Mont Blanc. The Tête Rousse and Goûter huts are specifically affected by the arrangement.
As a reason, the mayor wrote via Twitter that despite current warnings, amateur climbers have repeatedly started the ascent of the nearly 4,808-meter-high Mont Blanc from Saint-Gervais, France. In the municipality of Saint-Gervais there is a significant part of the Mont-Blanc massif, accessible from Saint-Gervais via the Tramway du Mont-Blanc cog railway up to an altitude of 2386 m.
Mayor condemns rising stars as ‘war horse’
In a statement, Peillex wrote, “How sad to be forced by some warhorses who know neither God nor the law to make a decision that should not have been necessary.” Peillex told French broadcaster RMC that the mountain was thundering – there were rocks the size of cars that were breaking apart.
The visibly upset mayor, who has long had a thorn in the side of ill-prepared climbers, posted bail for the climbers: in his opinion, 15,000 euros should be withheld for a “ascent with death in the luggage” to cover rescue costs. and a cemetery to cover. However, Peillex also wrote in his statement that this would likely be difficult to legally enforce.
Difficult climbing conditions
In consultation with the city council, the city has advised against climbing the highest mountain in the Alps since mid-July. The mountain guides’ associations of Chamonix and Saint-Gervais, at the foot of Mont Blanc, announced that they were giving up the climb up the “normal” route from Le Goûter due to landslides.
The lack of snow and the warmer temperatures this year make the conditions for the trips to Mont Blanc so difficult that few dare to climb – along paths reserved for specialists due to their level of difficulty.
Not just on Mont Blanc, but everywhere in the high altitudes of the Alps, climate change is becoming a growing problem for mountaineers. As the permafrost is melting, rockfalls are becoming more frequent. Inspecting glaciers is also becoming more difficult because of crevasses that open up.
According to experts, the dramatic accident at Monte Marmolada, in Italy, is also a consequence of climate change. A large chunk of the glacier broke up here in early July, killing eleven people.