The mayor of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex, has announced that they will impose a daily cap of 214 mountaineers on Mont Blanc next year.
It's been a rocky summer season on the Mont Blanc. Western Europe's highest mountain has received more visitors than ever with around 300 people attempting to reach its summit every day. Most people have taken the "Voie Royale", the route that ascends on the Saint-Gervais' side of the mountain via the Gouter Refuge.
All of this despite the growing perils of rockfall as temperatures reach all-time highs. There have also been reports of undesirable behaviours on the mountain, including confrontations and fake guides leading unsuspecting mountaineers along the very difficult challenge of climbing the 4,810m peak.
The mayor of Saint-Gervais has decided to take matters into his own hands by establishing a daily quota of climbers which will be enforced in the summer of 2019, as well as the obligation to book a refuge in advance. They will create a "brigade blanche" to make sure these rules are followed.
