Climb Mont Blanc without getting frostbite (or even going to France)

TREKKERS can experience one the world’s toughest mountain climbs without suffering altitude sickness or frostbite — or even leaving the UK.

The “British Mont Blanc” promises climbers the same height gain as the popular Goûter route on Europe’s highest mountain. Rather than travelling to France, however, trekkers need only go as far as Capel Curig in North Wales.

The two-day Goûter corridor, a popular access route to Mont Blanc, starts at Nid d’Aigle (altitude 2,372m) and pauses at the Goûter refuge before continuing to the summit of Mont Blanc (altitude 4,810m). The total climb is 2,438m.

The British version, introduced by international mountain leader Ian McClelland, will take challengers across six peaks on remote routes and achieves the same altitude gain over two days.

Mr McClelland, from Shepherds Bush, runs expedition company Turn Wild. He said: “The idea came to me after spending a long day in the Welsh mountains training for a high peak in the Mont Blanc range. You can experience the height gain and distance involved in going up Mont Blanc, without needing the technical equipment.

“It is completely accessible and all you need is a good set of legs that can be trained in a few weeks.”

⬤ Details of challenge, from May 11-13, at turnwild.com/british-mont-blanc