After Kilimanjaro, Anna (micronutrition consultant for Algorigin ) wanted to climb Mont Blanc. She tackled the 2,500m elevation gain that would allow her to reach the summit of the roof of Europe at the end of August. She tells us about this climb, which Algorigin accompanied her on!
ALGORIGIN: Why this slightly crazy challenge of attempting Mont Blanc?
ANNA: I admit, the idea seems a little crazy; it's true that such an adventure is not without risk. But since I climbed Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in 2011, climbing Mont Blanc (4,810 m) has become a dream.
Lacking an opportunity before, I set myself other challenges: my first marathon, in Toronto (2014), the 90 km cross-country skiing of Vasaloppet (2016), the 300 km cycling of the Vätternrundan (2016). I had almost forgotten about Mont Blanc! Until the day I moved to Geneva, right next to this mountain that fascinates me. It taunted me during my ski holidays and during my weekend hikes! Suddenly, the desire was reawakened and I started to think about it seriously. It was in May that the plan took shape and I booked the dates (from August 27 to 31) with a friend and the mountain guide, Stéphane Comte .
What motivates me is to see if I will succeed and if I manage to surpass myself, is that the great satisfaction?
A: How did you prepare?
A: I had heard that you should prepare for Mont Blanc like you would for a half marathon… My half marathon run last year should work in my favor!
Since the beginning of the year, I've continued to run twice a week and hike with a positive elevation gain on weekends. Despite a busy schedule this spring and summer, I've still been able to do the Salève about ten times and other beautiful hikes nearby: the Môle, the Plateau des Glières, the Voirons, the Tournette, the Grand Colombier, the Dôle and the Reculet... often adding water bottles to my backpack to weigh it down!
Unfortunately, I trained a little less than I would have liked. I like to be well prepared on the day, but this time I had to do the best I could with the shape I was in!
A: How did your week go?
A: Monday and Tuesday we'll be getting used to crampons and ice axes on the Mer de Glace in Chamonix and from Punta Hellbronner in Italy. Splendid days!
Wednesday is the first day of the climb. We begin the ascent of the Eagle's Nest at around 10:30 a.m. (2,372 m) to the Tête Rousse refuge (3,165 m), where we spend the night. We set off in sunshine, but rain and thunderstorms await us upon arrival. It's impressive to see the bad weather from the refuge!
Thursday, D-Day: After a very short night, we begin our walk with headlamps at 6:15 a.m. It's mild and very calm. Anxiety mounts, however, as we approach the famous Goûter couloir to the old refuge of the same name. These technical passages pass without incident. Arriving at the Goûter Refuge, we empty our backpacks as much as possible to climb lighter because we're sleeping there that same evening. Around 9 a.m., the last stage on the glacier begins, towards the summit, slowly but surely, one step at a time. When we start to meet people who have already succeeded in the ascent, it gives us hope.
A: Once at the summit, what were your impressions?
A: When the guide says: "Now we have a quarter of an hour left!", I am overcome with emotion, that's the moment when I realize that we are going to succeed! There is still a narrow and very steep passage where I concentrate only on my steps and not on the beautiful view!
Arriving at the summit was a great relief and a moment of great happiness. From the "roof of Europe," I was able to admire the magnificent white plateau, Chamonix in the valley, and the impressive massif with the Aiguille du Midi.
After 10 minutes we descended back towards the Goûter refuge – a fast and very fun descent, almost in snow trail mode where we fully enjoyed the sensations and the panorama.
The descent to Tête Rousse is not without danger (rockfalls due to strong winds) and adrenaline-pumping. The arrival in the valley was in the rain. The radio advised against any attempts at high-altitude summits. One more day and we wouldn't have been able to reach the summit!
A: Which Algorigin products have made the ascent with you?
A: A week before the climb, Tiphaine called me: "Anna, I can't climb Mont Blanc, I have tendonitis." A little shocked, I told myself that I would still suggest a course of algae treatment. As soon as she arrived in Chamonix, I recommended 20 ml of Spirulina Elixir and 4 AFA Klamath tablets per day to speed up her healing .
Before and during the climb I took Spirulina Iron (4 tablets each morning), to help my body create red blood cells at altitude . In my camelbak I mixed Spirulina Elixir with my sports drink to speed up recovery, I drank it during and after the effort. To improve concentration I also took AFA Klamath (2 capsules) during the week of the climb. (I had to concentrate to avoid making a misstep on the last summit ridge!).
Algorigin definitely helped us! The proof: we both succeeded!
A: Like Sophie Lavaud, Algorigin ambassador who has just completed her 8th 8000m after having started mountaineering with Mont Blanc in 2004, do you want to go higher now?
A: Never say "never," but the highest mountains on the planet don't appeal to me at the moment—I'm too scared! However, I do hope to one day hike Kungsleden in northern Sweden and climb Kebnekaise, which is the highest peak (2,100 m). One day, I'd also like to hike the famous Inca Trail.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ANNA:
– His age: 33 years old
– Nationality: Swedish
– Sports: Running, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing
– You in 3 words: Curious, passionate, hard-working
Geneva, October 2018
