Responsible tourism in Mont Blanc
It is hard to believe that Mont Blanc is not actually a highly protected landscape. It doesn’t have national park status, for example. In France, it was designated a ‘site classé’ in 1951, which prevents development, camping and supervises amenities, but it does not have a conservation strategy that is co-managed by the three countries, something that would exist with a higher form of protected landscape designation. What it does have, however, is a strong group of mountaineering, environmental and conservation experts from three countries, who came together in 1991 to form Espace Mont Blanc. Two of its priorities of late are to seek international protective status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to perfect a management plan for the massif which will be controlled by European judicial statute. Indeed the former won’t be achieved until the latter is put into practice. Until then, we all have a responsibility to protect and respect Mont Blanc and below are some of the most important issues to take into account while doing so.
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Wildlife and environment
It is not just the slopes, forests and precious alpine tundra that needs protecting around Mont Blanc, it is also the air. And the ambience. Mountain Wilderness, a mountain conservation organisation created in Biella, Italy, in 1987, leads important campaigns to protect wild mountain places. They define these as “any untouched mountain environment where anyone who so wishes may come into direct contact with the wide-open spaces, experience solitude, silence, rhythms, natural dimensions, laws and dangers.”
The most recent campaign is ‘Silence’, launched in October 2014, whereby climbers ascended to a height of 3,400m at the Col du Geant, and created an installation using plastic bags laid out in giant letters which read ‘Silence!’ This is aimed at the growing number of privately chartered tourists planes and helicopters which are currently destroying this rare natural gift of silence on Europe’s highest mountain. Many of these flights are offered as ‘prizes’ to skiers by ski resorts, as incentives to book with them for the season. There is now rarely a moment of total silence, without hearing tourist propellers, echoes and engines overhead.
At present, the conglomerate Espace Mont Blanc is working on the (somewhat surprisingly) first ever ‘Strategy for the Future’ management plan for this multinational mountain, and this campaign seeks to ensure that an air space without aviation is prioritised by this organisation as it looks forward to a cleaner future. To date, these flights are not limited unlike, for example, the silent paragliders, which are not allowed over the Mont Blanc range in July and August. It is also thought that the increasing number of ‘flyovers’ is becoming a safety risk. In French national parks flights for leisure purposes are only allowed 1,000m above the ground, but there are no such restrictions over Mont Blanc, as it does not have protected status. Watch the video below which captures the heart of this campaign, as well as the hearts of the campaigners, which beat strongly to protect this unique mountain territory.
Frédi Meignan, President Mountain Wilderness France:
“Silence has become such a rare commodity, because wherever we live today there is always noise. And here we are in one of the few territories where there is no noise at all. Not one noise. It is so quiet you can even here the silence. I believe that such a rare and beautiful territory deserves a minimum of respect, and respecting Mont Blanc is respecting its silence“
What you can do
Don’t take a tourist flight over Mont Blanc by plane or helicopter, even if it is spectacular. And support the invaluable work of Mountain Wilderness by following their projects on social media/blogs and so on. However, as they work internationally on important mountain campaigns, their Mont Blanc work can be seen more clearly (by those that speak French) on the website, Pro Mont Blanc, of which they are a member, as this is an umbrella organisation of various charities and conservationists working to protect Mont Blanc in France, Switzerland and Italy. French speakers might also like to seek out Pro Mont Blanc’s book, published in 2002, Le versant noir du Mont Blanc (The black hillside of Mont Blanc), which highlights many of its conservation issues.
The most recent campaign is ‘Silence’, launched in October 2014, whereby climbers ascended to a height of 3,400m at the Col du Geant, and created an installation using plastic bags laid out in giant letters which read ‘Silence!’ This is aimed at the growing number of privately chartered tourists planes and helicopters which are currently destroying this rare natural gift of silence on Europe’s highest mountain. Many of these flights are offered as ‘prizes’ to skiers by ski resorts, as incentives to book with them for the season. There is now rarely a moment of total silence, without hearing tourist propellers, echoes and engines overhead.
At present, the conglomerate Espace Mont Blanc is working on the (somewhat surprisingly) first ever ‘Strategy for the Future’ management plan for this multinational mountain, and this campaign seeks to ensure that an air space without aviation is prioritised by this organisation as it looks forward to a cleaner future. To date, these flights are not limited unlike, for example, the silent paragliders, which are not allowed over the Mont Blanc range in July and August. It is also thought that the increasing number of ‘flyovers’ is becoming a safety risk. In French national parks flights for leisure purposes are only allowed 1,000m above the ground, but there are no such restrictions over Mont Blanc, as it does not have protected status. Watch the video below which captures the heart of this campaign, as well as the hearts of the campaigners, which beat strongly to protect this unique mountain territory.
Frédi Meignan, President Mountain Wilderness France:
“Silence has become such a rare commodity, because wherever we live today there is always noise. And here we are in one of the few territories where there is no noise at all. Not one noise. It is so quiet you can even here the silence. I believe that such a rare and beautiful territory deserves a minimum of respect, and respecting Mont Blanc is respecting its silence“
Silence - Respectons le massif du Mont-Blanc from Mountain Wilderness on Vimeo.
What you can do
Don’t take a tourist flight over Mont Blanc by plane or helicopter, even if it is spectacular. And support the invaluable work of Mountain Wilderness by following their projects on social media/blogs and so on. However, as they work internationally on important mountain campaigns, their Mont Blanc work can be seen more clearly (by those that speak French) on the website, Pro Mont Blanc, of which they are a member, as this is an umbrella organisation of various charities and conservationists working to protect Mont Blanc in France, Switzerland and Italy. French speakers might also like to seek out Pro Mont Blanc’s book, published in 2002, Le versant noir du Mont Blanc (The black hillside of Mont Blanc), which highlights many of its conservation issues.
People & culture
Mountain safety is like a religion for people who live in and love the mountains. Especially on Mont Blanc which has seen tragedies and fatalities. Tourists can be guilty of turning a blind eye to the harsh realities of walking and climbing on the Mont Blanc massif. Because it is so accessible, by cable car or train, and it is packed with pretty ski villages and state of the art mountain refuges, it somehow seems ‘safer’. But the experts know the reality of unpredictability of mountain landscapes.
If possible, always go trekking with an International Mountain Leader or IML. These are highly qualified people, who know exactly how and when to tackle different aspects of Mont Blanc, depending on weather, the time of year, avalanche risks and so on. They are also fully trained in emergency procedures and will warn the walking group about dangers and how to prevent accidents. You might fall into the trap of thinking that you do not need a guide or leader in summer but this is not true. Conditions can still be extreme in summer, so don’t take any risks. Or, in early summer, the temperatures might soar early morning, causing ice melt and avalanche at higher levels.
Although there are many walks to be had around the Tour du Mont Blanc that don’t require alpine skills as such, being aware of mountain safety at all times is vital. 80 percent of rescue operations are due to exhaustion, and are usually preventable with better preparation. Then, the higher you go, you want to start thinking in terms of alpinism, which is a whole world of new skills. With ropes, crampons, ice picks, learning to climb glaciers and walking as a group, roped together just some you need to be familiar with. There are various courses to help you prepare in mountaineering skills, such as the British Mountaineering Council’s Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust, which provides supreme, subsidised courses for young mountaineers. This impressive charity was created by the family of Jonathan Conville, an experienced climber, after he died on the Matterhorn in the winter of 1979. It is worth noting, as well, that this Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust is well worthy of donations if training people to mountaineer safely and responsibly is something you are keen to support.
If possible, always go trekking with an International Mountain Leader or IML. These are highly qualified people, who know exactly how and when to tackle different aspects of Mont Blanc, depending on weather, the time of year, avalanche risks and so on. They are also fully trained in emergency procedures and will warn the walking group about dangers and how to prevent accidents. You might fall into the trap of thinking that you do not need a guide or leader in summer but this is not true. Conditions can still be extreme in summer, so don’t take any risks. Or, in early summer, the temperatures might soar early morning, causing ice melt and avalanche at higher levels.
Although there are many walks to be had around the Tour du Mont Blanc that don’t require alpine skills as such, being aware of mountain safety at all times is vital. 80 percent of rescue operations are due to exhaustion, and are usually preventable with better preparation. Then, the higher you go, you want to start thinking in terms of alpinism, which is a whole world of new skills. With ropes, crampons, ice picks, learning to climb glaciers and walking as a group, roped together just some you need to be familiar with. There are various courses to help you prepare in mountaineering skills, such as the British Mountaineering Council’s Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust, which provides supreme, subsidised courses for young mountaineers. This impressive charity was created by the family of Jonathan Conville, an experienced climber, after he died on the Matterhorn in the winter of 1979. It is worth noting, as well, that this Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust is well worthy of donations if training people to mountaineer safely and responsibly is something you are keen to support.
What you can do
Make sure you are fit and well prepared before your trip. Safe walking boots, the right amount of layers, waterproofs, water and an emergency kit are key. Ensure that you are walking with an internationally qualified mountain leader. The UIMLA International Mountain Leader and the IFMGA Mountain Guide are the only internationally recognised qualifications in the mountains world-wide. The one stop and not to be missed shop for all information on safety and routes is the Office de Haute Montagne in Chamonix. Put the details on your phone before you go: 190 Place Eglise, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Tel: +33 4 50 53 22 08. There is also one in St Gervais in France, at the tourist office.
Make sure you are fit and well prepared before your trip. Safe walking boots, the right amount of layers, waterproofs, water and an emergency kit are key. Ensure that you are walking with an internationally qualified mountain leader. The UIMLA International Mountain Leader and the IFMGA Mountain Guide are the only internationally recognised qualifications in the mountains world-wide. The one stop and not to be missed shop for all information on safety and routes is the Office de Haute Montagne in Chamonix. Put the details on your phone before you go: 190 Place Eglise, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Tel: +33 4 50 53 22 08. There is also one in St Gervais in France, at the tourist office.
Responsible tourism tips
Bernard Marclay, Mountain Wilderness France:
“There is always a problem of ‘surfrequentation’ or overcrowding on the ascent as well as the Tour due Mont Blanc. But we believe that access should be free here on Mont Blanc. People just need to be respectful of the environment when they hike there, and the minimum they can do is to take away all of their waste. Most people are respectful, but some are not so careful."
“There is always a problem of ‘surfrequentation’ or overcrowding on the ascent as well as the Tour due Mont Blanc. But we believe that access should be free here on Mont Blanc. People just need to be respectful of the environment when they hike there, and the minimum they can do is to take away all of their waste. Most people are respectful, but some are not so careful."
Bernard Marclay, Mountain Wilderness France:
“When air pollution hits certain levels, then the heavy good vehicles are stopped entering the Mont Blanc tunnel and driving speeds for all drivers are limited too. But in general, the pollution levels are far too high, and we encourage tourists to leave their cars behind”.
“When air pollution hits certain levels, then the heavy good vehicles are stopped entering the Mont Blanc tunnel and driving speeds for all drivers are limited too. But in general, the pollution levels are far too high, and we encourage tourists to leave their cars behind”.
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) from his poem Mont Blanc: Lines Written in the Vale of Chamouni:
“And what were thou, and earth, and stars, and sea,
if to the human mind's imaginings
Silence and solitude were vacancy?”
“And what were thou, and earth, and stars, and sea,
if to the human mind's imaginings
Silence and solitude were vacancy?”
Catherine Mack, Responsible Travel:
“One place everyone needs to go on Mont Blanc is the toilet. And it does happen to have the two highest toilets in Europe. Which is a relief. A 4,260 meters relief in fact.”
“One place everyone needs to go on Mont Blanc is the toilet. And it does happen to have the two highest toilets in Europe. Which is a relief. A 4,260 meters relief in fact.”
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