Mont-Blanc is changing and becoming more perilous

It’s hot and it’s dry. And it is all of France that suffers from it. Up to our mountains. In the Alps, in particular, rockfalls are increasing. Measures are taken to protect the lives of mountaineers.

This summer like perhaps never before, everywhere in France, thewater lack. And there appear consequences that one would not necessarily have suspected. In our mountains, for example. After a winter with little water and a dry and hot start to the summer, the springs and lakes are drying up. The glaciers are melting faster than usual. Cracks form. the debit from some torrents increase. And the rockfalls multiply.

According to Jean-Marc Peillex, departmental councilor of Mont-Blanc, “the mountain is regulating itself and the change in the climate will make its ascent more and more complicated”. Thus, since mid-July already, for example, the Couloir du Goûter — otherwise known as Death Row… because since 1990, an average of four people have lost their lives there each year — is become, according to the authorities, far too dangerous. Last week, they recalled that theascent of the summit of Mont-Blanc was discouraged. While the guide companies had already suspended their activities in the sector.

What adaptation solutions?

In the hope of finally succeeding in discouraging the most reckless — mountaineers from Eastern Europe for the most part, arriving there without a guide — the Tête Rousse and Goûter refuges — located on the route Normal Mont-Blanc — have also just closed their doors. This is the third time this has happened in 20 years. And others are concerned, on the road to the Matterhorn in particular.

The guides, they report that the access routes to Mont-Blanc have already been closed in the past. But exceptionally. Between a week and 10 days. But this year, it’s already been a month that professionals avoid venturing into the sector. In Switzerland, the guides of Grindelwald have, for the first time in 100 years of history, given up the ascent of the Jungfrau.

In other sectors, shelters are beginning to close their doors for… lack of water. Their drinking water sources are no longer flowing. They can no longer accommodate hikers. This is the case, for example, of the Col du Palet refuge (Vanoise). The other shelters are trying to adapt. Preventive measures have been put in place. Water consumption is limited with occasional restrictions. There is no doubt that here too we will have to succeed in adapting more effectively to the climate change In progress.