Summit Mont Blanc – mission accomplished!
Last year (2020) Alistair Galloway (BSc Biochemistry 2001) planned an expedition to climb and summit Mont Blanc – the highest mountain in Europe and the Alps – to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis UK, St Joseph’s Hospice, The Household Cavalry Foundation and the University of St Andrews London Scholarship Fund. Here, Alistair describes how he and his team battled against all the odds to accomplish this mission.
A memorable achievement!
Despite all the challenges that were thrown at us last year – including planning and training through a pandemic and enduring a postponement from June to September – our Guide, my team and I finally stood on top of the Summit of Mont Blanc at 4,810m (15,775 ft) above sea level on Wednesday 23 September 2020.
It was an absolutely memorable achievement, which involved weeks and months of preparations – including the physical training, mental focus and skills development required.
The final summit
Although we had prepared well by spending three days acclimatising at above 3000m at the Rifugio Torino Hut, our climb to the summit was, however, by no means guaranteed: the weather forecast was poor and we faced the prospect of a storm on top, if we arrived too late. Temperatures of -11c at 4,800m – exacerbated by windchill – reduced the temperature to -20c, which would mean a freezing experience.
When summit day dawned, there had been a few centimetres of snowfall overnight. With the prospect of thunder and lightning and further snow and high winds of 20-40km/hr, we proceeded to the Vallot Refuge Hut at 4,300m where we discussed whether or not to continue.
We decided to take the risk and the team then undertook the seven-hour climb to the summit of Mont Blanc.
When I finally reached the top I was able to admire the 360-degree views above the clouds and the nearby mountain peaks. Under the clear blue sky, I said a few words to camera to thank our supporters, donors and sponsors for the fundraising contributions they had made to our charities.
Enduring memories
The beauty of the landscape and the experience of climbing high into the mountains will stay with us forever.
We witnessed the beauty of the panoramic views, the awe of the glacier, crossed the Grand Couloir at 3,340m and scrambled the steep rock faces between the Tete Rousse Hut and the Gouter Hut. We experienced the amazing transition of colours from green in the valley, to brown up the mountainside, to grey and white on top of the summit.
We will also remember the camaraderie that developed during our early starts and long days, walking and climbing in our helmets, harnesses and crampons, attached to each other by a rope and carrying an ice axe.
Legacy
I am delighted to have raised awareness of our four charities and would like to thank all our donors, supporters and sponsors for helping us to reach just over £12,000, which will be split amongst them. I am particularly proud to have contributed to the University of St Andrews London Scholarship Fund and was grateful to another alumnus – HRH The Duke of Cambridge – for his note of encouragement and support before the climb.
Future plans
I am currently planning a series of high-altitude climbs once current lockdowns and travel restrictions are lifted, and I’m looking forward to sharing details about how these adventures are progressing then.
