Mont Blanc, The Highest Point In The European Union

Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps. Or what is the same, the highest summit of the European Union. Attention! It is not the highest on the continent! Both in the territory of European Russia and in Georgia there are higher mountains. But still, it is a spectacular peak and coveted by all mountaineers. Therefore, it is well worth the following lines.

Mont Blanc, a target for mountaineers

The practice of mountaineering, by tradition, is called mountaineering. It is a clear tribute to the mountain range in central Europe where this sport began to be practiced. In those early days, reaching the top of Mont Blanc became the great objective of the most daring mountaineers. And that at that time it was not even clear to what height this peak rose.

Mont Blanc altitude

The measurement of Mont Blanc has always been the subject of controversy. And although today it is given an official altitude of 4,810 meters above sea level, that number has varied in recent years according to the amount and compaction of the snow accumulated at the top. By the way, a peak shared by two countries: France and Italy.

But also, we want to clarify the issue that Mont Blanc is not the highest mountain in Europe. That award goes to peaks in the Caucasus Mountains, at the eastern tip of the continent. There, between the territory of Georgia and Russia, there are peaks like Elbrus, at 5642 meters; the Dyj Tau, 5203 meters; or the Koshtan Tau, at 5151. And they are not the only ‘five comiles’ of that mountain range between two continents.

A dangerous climb

To think that it is not too high a mountain, compared not only to the Caucasian peaks, but also to the much higher heights of the Rockies, the Andes and, of course, the Himalayas, suggests that perhaps the ascent is easy. The good tourist infrastructure and the mountain tradition that exist in places like Chamonix also help this .

However, Mont Blanc can be a very tough climb and there have been countless fatal accidents on its slopes over the centuries. It is a high mountain territory, and that always requires some experience, wearing the appropriate equipment and being prudent.

Only by meeting these requirements can possible extreme cold and storms situations, as well as other hazards such as avalanches or cracks in the ground, be avoided. That is, if someone is thinking of reaching the top, they have to prepare this adventure thoroughly.

Some history

It is clear that the profile and height of Mont Blanc act as irresistible magnets for mountaineers, who yearn to scale this magnificent mountain. In some ways, climbing Mont Blanc is like honoring the entire history of mountaineering and becoming a true climber.

Even before the summit was reached up there, there was already an expedition in the 18th century to reach Chamonix and from there contemplate what was then considered a ‘cursed mountain’ because of the great sea of ​​ice that was on its slope. A glacier that, unfortunately, has decreased a lot in size in recent times.

After that first expedition, attempts to reach the top began. Thus, Mont Blanc was crowned for the first time in 1786. A milestone that had both a sporting and scientific aspect, since the mountaineers who ascended were the crystal seeker Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel Gabriel Paccard, interested in verifying the behavior of an altitude barometer.

That was the first of thousands of ascents that have followed. In fact, at present, on the most favorable meteorological dates, there is saturation in the different ascent routes. However, it seems that for many this mountaineering adventure is indispensable and climbing Mont Blanc is one of the great reasons to travel to the Alps.