Few minutes ago on a Polish TV news channel there was a segment about Mont Blanc and how many unprepared people try to climb it each year. At the end of the segment the presenter stated that from now on only French guides will be able to guide people up the mountain and that a permit is now required to climb.
I did some research on the Internet, but I couldn't find any info on the permits that are now required, I could only find old forum posts with this question and answers stating that no permit is required, I didn't find any recent posts so I would like to know what the situation with permits is like at the moment.
The mayor of St-Gervais wants a permit system for the Gouter route (as he has for a long time) and seems to be getting closer to having it implemented:
"Starting next year, climbers without guides must pick up a “free” permit from the tourism office to prove they have a bona fide place in a refuge on a given day."
It is stated that people without the permit proving a booked place at the hut will be turned away by the authorities... One thing I don't understand is what about people that will not be staying at a hut and will be resting and heading for the summit at a time when the rest will be going to bed
This Alpine Conditions page gives a summary of what is being climbed at the moment, what is 'in' nick and what the prospects are...
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