This
summer, too much sun caused ice melt in the Alps; climbing became almost
impossible. However, at the famous Mont Blanc, a record was set: more than 400 climbers
per day! Have the mountains become a consumer product like every other? But, should
everyone and anyone be allowed to go mountain climbing?
A
scandalous video was posted on the Web this summer: it shows two children, 11
and 13, filmed by their father, during a climb of Mont Blanc. They fell. This
story shook the climbing world. The Mayor of Saint-Gervais said that,
though there is free access to the mountains, mountain-climbing needs training
and a professional guide should accompany climbers.
The
increasing number of climbers causes problems: inadequate security measures and
pollution. People are unprepared and badly trained (they do not know how to
cope with bad weather conditions, rock fall, snowslide, etc.). Also, too many
people sleep in the only hut on Mont Blanc.
The
Mayor of Saint-Gervais wants to reduce the risks by making amateur climbers pay
for their rescue. The Mont Blanc, he says, has become just another consumer
product for people from the big cities…
I
think everybody should be allowed to go mountain-climbing, but the rules should
be more strictly enforced.
Sources : Le Figaro, Le Matin
Antoine
DE LA FORGE wants to be a professional mountain guide.
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