The danger, the thrill of climbing Mont Blanc, as described by the Maltese mountains
Reaching the highest mountain in Western Europe is not just a physical feat, the journey to the top leaves you with an indescribable emotion for what you have accomplished, according to mountaineer Zach Cassar.
Cassar, along with Andrew Pullicino, managed to climb Mont Blanc earlier this month, after a hard journey that saw them fight the storm, cross the ‘golley of death’ and struggle not to fall through cracks in the glaciers.
Zach, who caught the mountain bug after finishing the Kilimanjaro challenge, said making new friends in the sport prompted him to take on a more challenging climb.
I wasn’t aware of what walking meant when I started
“I was totally aware of what walking meant when I started,” he said.
“But after Kilimanjaro, I continued to train and make friends in sports. After doing each trail in Malta twice, my love for nature ultimately pushed me to look for new challenges. Malta has beautiful views, but soon becomes repetitive.
Zach, Andrew and two of their friends were originally targeted on an expedition to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in continental Europe, but due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel to Russia at that time. time, was ruled out.
The first ascent lost the top by 15 meters
However, after months of CrossFit, hill training, hiking and sand running, the group set their sights on Mont Blanc as the trip to France seemed like an achievable goal.
Before attempting their desired hike, the group first made a ‘trial run’ on Mount Gran Paradiso, where mountain officials determined whether they were skilled enough to make it to Mont Blanc. However, their first attempt was marred by dangerous terrain and perid weather, which left them unable to climb the top just 15 meters from above.
When we were told we were only 15 meters from the top I wanted to click on it, but the decision had already been made. I was disappointed but I understand the risks, there were deaths on the mountains associated with these conditions often. It should not be taken lightly either
“Guides in Europe are nothing like those in Africa and South America,” Zach said.
“If the weather is even worse than what they consider a cut-off, the climb will be ruined.
“That first climb was full of bad weather, so much so that we tried it at 2am where we identified a window of opportunity. But to make matters worse, the ground was full of cracks, some up to 30 meters deep, and the increasing static electricity put us at greater risk for lightning, ”he continued.
“When we were told that we were only 15 meters from the top we wanted to continue, but the decision had already been made. I was disappointed but I understand the risks, there were deaths on the mountains associated with these conditions often. Nor should it be taken lightly. “
‘If I tell you to run, run’
Back at base camp, even more disappointment was waiting. Of the six who started the trip, the four young Maltese and two British tourists, mountain officials decided that two of the Maltese group and one of the British did not have enough skills to climb Mont Blanc. .
“It was another blow,” Zach admitted.
“In my mind, I had seen all four of us at the top, but the reality had turned out differently.”
However, they climbed to their next challenge, crossing the Grand Couloir, a black spot of accident that climbers refer to as “the death hunt”.
“This is a 30 to 40 meter stretch of mountain with a very active rock fall, where you have to be careful from every step. The adage is that you have to wait, listen and share, ”he continued.
“Just a week before we were there, a person had died in the crossing. Our guide told us clearly ‘If I tell you to run, run’.
This is a 30 to 40 meter stretch of mountain with a very active rock fall, where you have to be careful from every step. The adage is that you have to wait, listen and share
Just after they finished the Grand Couloir, the third person in their group decided not to continue the climb and turned back with another guide.
“It was a bit demoralizing,” Zach said.
“At that point, it was just me and Andrew and we were left with the feeling of ‘who’s next?’ we were losing a person every day. The uphill was fierce, it was a steady, hard run uphill on every turn. ”
The excitement of the peak
But despite the hardships to get there, in the end we find the right window to get to the top of the mountain paid off.
“We left again for the 2am crash, when we thought we might have the perfect window of opportunity to catch difficult weather,” Zach said.
“It simply came to our notice then. We reached the top by the 6am crash and it was perfect. I was so happy and proud, it was incredible. ”
“When you are talking metaphorically about a challenge as a ‘climbing mountain’ I can confirm that it is really difficult physically and mentally,” he continued.
“At various points, I thought,‘ why am I doing this? Why don’t I sit at home? ‘ But the emotion I felt at the summit made it all worth it, I was able to take everything and the journey that took us there. ”
Zach says that, while on his way to a mountain he often said “never again”, yet he has plans to continue doing mountaineering when possible, and is looking at the mountains in South America. While the war in Ukraine has definitely changed plans to climb Mount Elbrus in Russia, it still hopes to one day climb to the top.
“What I really enjoyed was meeting so many like-minded people who enjoy the sport and I’m curious to see where the next adventure can take us.”
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