On Thursday 17th August 2017, after the publication of a call to witnesses by the PGHM, to find a 46-year-old Frenchman who was climbing the Mont Blanc in walking trail, the mayor of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex, issued a municipal order with immediate effect stating that: "anyone attempting to climb Mont Blanc via the Gouter Route must have a minimum level of equipment and clothing".
According to Le Dauphiné, any offender will get a big fine.
Mont Blanc minimum equipment list: hat, sunglasses, ski mask, sun cream, warm and waterproof jacket, mountaineering trousers and base layer, mountaineering-specific boots and crampons, harness and crevasse rescue equipment, rope, ice axe, GPS or altimeter.
Whether you agree or not with the kit list above, from today, it's obligatory to have it if you're planning on climbing Mont Blanc via the Gouter Route.
In any case, there is no excuse to not hire a High Mountain Guide in Chamonix, because there are many High Mountain Guides that live in the Chamonix valley and there is always availability.
Page on Chamonix.net dedicated to High Mountain Guides.
