Heights of adventure around the beautiful Mont Blanc

Dan MacCarthy dodges torrents of melting glacier water, tries to emulate Bear Grylls, and meets interesting comrades as he treks in some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery around Mont Blanc.

MOUNT Blanc is magnificent but has terrible risks, especially for climbers. Witness the 20 deaths in this year’s climbing season including two Irishmen. Despite the most careful planning you can still fall victim to chance: an avalanche, a crevasse, winds. For walkers, there are fewer risks but severe ones nonethelesss. The snow is heavy underfoot on a beautifully sunny day.

Ahead, the peak of Bonhomme harbours a hut where a rest and a drink are promised after the day’s efforts. After a three-hour trek in tough conditions from the valley about one-and-a half Carauntoohils below, that break would be most welcome. (Note to self: bring snow shoes for any prolonged traverse of snow.) Finally, the roof of the refuge appears. Thank God. At the final few steps from the top the hut hoves into view. And that is all I am going to get — for it is buried under 2m of snow and all that appears is the apex of the roof. Great. I sit on the roof and tuck into my sandwiches.