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Summit · Mont Blanc Massif · 4,807 m

Mont Blanc

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Mont Blanc
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At 4,805 m, the Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) on the Franco-Italian border is the highest mountain in the Alps. Whether it is the highest mountain in Europe, however, can not be properly clarified without the proper definition of the Eurasian border. Its biggest competitor is the Elbrus in the Caucasus, which claimed the placement as one of the "Seven Summits" with 5642 m.

Experienced mountaineers als call the Mont Blanc "Monarch". Standing on its summit and enjoying the view of the top of the Alps is the dream of many alpinists. The ascent, however, is quite strenuous due to the altitude difference of more than 2500 m and the uncertain weather conditions. High-altitude winds whip over the Bossesgrat and sweep it blank, rapid weather crashes as well as rock and ice debris threaten the ascent.

To the north, the Mont Blanc is almost completely glaciated, to the south it consists of gigantic, prominent granite rocks. The summit consists entirely of ice and firn, the height of the mountain is therefore subject to seasonal and weather-related fluctuations of about 1.5 m.

Mont Blanc was first climbed on August 7, 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard. Today several routes lead to the summit, including the normal route from the northwest side over the Aiguille du Goûter and the Dôme du Goûter. There are also several difficult routes for rock climbers and ice climbers.

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Svenja Trachte

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Mont Blanc

Coordinates

45.832567, 6.864639

DMS

45°49'57.2"N 6°51'52.7"E

UTM

32T 334157 5077662

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Mont Blanc

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